Two Ways to Get New Dishcloth Patterns This Year

Dishcloths are a lot of fun to knit, because they are small, portable projects, usually knit with cotton yarn that doesn’t cost a lot of money, they are super useful and they can teach you new skills.

I think this is the third year now that Knit Picks has done 52 weeks of washcloths, with a new free pattern for a knit or crochet washcloth every week. The first one was this sweet snowflake pattern from Allyson Dykhuizen, and this week’s is Knotted Cables by Kendra Knitta.

Another great resource for knit dishcloth patterns is the Knitted Kitchen blog hop, which brings a new pattern every week for 11 months of the year. (We decided to take December off for personal sanity reasons.) I’m taking part, along with Underground Crafter, Creative Crochet Workshop, Stitches ‘N Scraps and some fun guest posters through the year.

My first design will be up Jan. 26, but in the meantime you can check out Underground Crafter’s Double Andalusian Stitch Dishcloth (that’s such a pretty pattern!).

Do you like to knit dishcloths or washcloths? I’d love to hear about some of your favorite patterns!

[Photo via Knit Picks.] 100 % cotton yarn

Whether you love the cottagecore vibe, are heading to a Renaissance faire, stitching something fun for your Halloween costume, or just want to keep cozy on your fall rambles in the woods, the Wandering Woods Knit Hood from Yarnspirations should be your next knit.

The skill rating is easy, and it calls for worsted weight yarn to knit the hood with an integrated seed stitch border worked in a contrasting color. The hood is worked flat and seamed, then you pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the cape portion.

The cape part is shaped just like a raglan sweater, with increases on each side of four points across the cape. If you’ve ever worked a raglan project before this will be simple for you. And if you haven’t you’ll be ready for your first raglan sweater after this project! The front edgings are worked at the same time as the body, and you’ll finish off with the contrasting bottom edge, as well as I-cord ties for the hood.

This cape is pretty short, just covering the shoulders, but you can knit it as long as you like and even make a full length cape if you’re going for high drama (and warmth!).

There are four size options for the cape, to fit a chest measurement ranging from 28 to 60 inches (71 to 117 cm). As shown the cape edges don’t meet in the front, so if that’s something you want you can work more increases, which will also make the project longer. I’d love a version that’s longer and with a fun clasp to make it even cozier, but you can make it your own way.

The pattern calls for Red Heart Super Saver, but this would be a great project to knit in wool or a wool blend for extra warmth.

You can grab a free copy of the pattern from Yarnspirations, and if you want to make it as shown you can also get a kit that includes the two colors of yarn you need and other supplies if you want them.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Have you read?