Knitting Patterns -Washcloths Shaped Like Animals, Because, Why Not?

Yesterday I saw the latest pattern in the Knit Picks 52 weeks of dishcloths collection. Called Bear With Me, it’s a adorable little center out circle colored and embellished to look like a bear! I almost can’t even stand it.

While it would probably have been enough just to share that one with you, I decided to head to Raverly, thinking surely some other creative souls have knit washcloths to look like animals.

Why, yes, my friends, they have.

Behold and get your needles ready for some cuteness.

Fish: Check out Lucia Tedesco’s Fish, which comes in two sizes for washcloths or other fun; cheezombie’s Flappy Flounder from Knitty (it has knit eyes!); and Flat Fish from Royal Redneck.

For more water-loving animals, try the Froggy Bath Puppet from brileyknits or Soapy the Soap Turtle by RosebyAny. So cute!

Birds: the Owl Puffs by Jenna Krupar can be left unstuffed to make a washcloth, or try the Owlie Soap Sack (scroll down the page a bit) from Live Lovely.

Wildlife: One Giraffe in a Million by Julie L. Anderson is really cute and could be made into other animals, and while the Grr washcloth from Alice Bell in Knitty isn’t really shaped like a lion, it does have an awesome loop stitch mane.

If you like your animals a little tamer, there’s always the Bunny Blanket from Lion Brand Yarn, which could be worked in cotton yarn as a washcloth with a built-in toy; and the Kitty Bath Mitt, also from LB.

If your kid still thinks bathtime is boring after all that, I just don’t know what to say.

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

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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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