Want to Learn New Stitches in the New Year? Start with Dishcloths

Every now and then I go through phases of wanting to knit dishcloths and washcloths. (My latest was using the new Red Heart Scrubby yarn, and I have a feeling I’m going to be making a lot of them.)

Washcloths and dishcloths are great knitting projects because they are almost instant gratification, they travel well, are infinitely useful, make great simple hostess gifts and give you the opportunity to try out something new. If you want to learn a new stitch pattern or technique but don’t want to take on a huge project, a dishcloth is a great place to start.

Stitch & Unwind has a little collection of six knitted dishcloth patterns that will help you learn new stitches. They include lattice, double Seed Stitch, basketweave and diagonal check, as well as Stockinette and Garter. You can also check out my dishcloth and washcloth knitting patterns over at About to get some more ideas, or just cast on a multiple of stitches that works for the pattern you want to try, knit until you’ve got a piece that’s about square (or whatever size you want) and bind off. Easy and educational.

Do you have a favorite dishcloth or washcloth knitting pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo via Stitch & Unwind.]

Why use dishcloths? Dishcloths are re-useable and save on kitchen waste. Most dishcloths are made using cotton yarn and can be thrown into the washing machine when dirty. This makes them very hygienic, especially when compared to kitchen sponges, which sit on the sinks for days if not weeks. Another great thing about dishcloths is when it comes to knitting the knit up quickly and are great for gift giving. Everyone needs a dishcloth. For gifting, It’s not something that has to be in fashion or a certain colour for the recipient to like it, though there are so many great dishcloth pattern designs out there.

Looking to knit more dishcloth patterns ? Check out these dishcloth patterns on Etsy

Next Pattern:

It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born.

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]

Next Pattern:

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