Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

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

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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 

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.