Dishcloth Diva
November 5, 2008|Comments (20)
Knitting and crocheting dishcloths is one of my favorite activities. I don’t often use patterns because I much prefer knitting to be a “coloring outside of the box” experience. That and I have trouble following patterns which require a great deal of counting or fancy footwork…er… handwork. I try them and then lose interest about halfway through because they take away from the therapeutic quality of knitting or crocheting. So, I just try to make sure that a few elements are in place: good ribbing for scrubbing, uncomplicated design, and natural fibers.
As the leaves change and I find myself reaching for snugly blankets, my knitting interests have been rekindled and now I’ve decided to make extra dishcloths to give as Christmas gifts. It was while I was sitting on the front porch this morning knitting on my latest dishcloth that a cartoon light bulb appeared over my head and I thought, “Gee whiz, my blogging friends might like to make dishcloths for their friends and family, too.” I’m a bona fide genius. Bona fide.
All Knitting Chinese Waves pattern:
Materials: 100% cotton yarn, such as Sugar ‘n Cream and #7 needles.
Cast on 45 stitches (Any odd number of stitches will do.)
Row 1: Knit across (this is the right side)
Row 2: *K1, Slip 1* repeat between * across, ending K1.
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: K2, *Slip 1, K1* repeat between * across, ending K1.
Keep working in pattern until piece is square, finishing with a wrong side row. Bind off in knitting on the right side.
Diamond Pattern Dishcloth:
Materials:
Worsted weight cotton dish cloth yarn (Sugar ‘N Cream, Lion Cotton, Bernat Handicraft)
Needles appropriate to yarn (about size 8 US or 5 mm)
Gauge:Not vital
Instructions:
Note: Knit the first and last 3 sts of every row. CO 31 sts. Knit four rows.
Row 1 (RS): k1, *p1, k9, p1, k1; rep from *
Row 2: k1, *p1, k1, p7, k1, p1, k1; rep from *
Row 3: k1, *p1, k1, p1, k5 (p1, k1) twice; rep from *
Row 4: p1, * (p1, k1) twice, p3, k1, p1, k1, p2; rep from *
Row 5: k1, *k2, (p1, k1) 3 times, p1, k3; rep from *
Row 6: p1, *p3, (k1, p1) twice, k1, p4; rep from *
Row 7: k1, *k4, p1, k1, p1, k5; rep from *
Row 8: Rep Row 6
Row 9: Rep Row 5
Row 10: Rep Row 4
Row 11: Rep Row 3
Row 12: Rep Row 2
Rep Rows 1-12 until about 8-10 inches.
Knit four rows. BO.
Have you seen what else is new on our site? Check out our blondes in the buff, simple living confessions, nordic braided bread, green manure groundcovers, and a lullaby for a stormy night. If that’s not enough then you’ll just have to wander through our Best Of section for more goodies. Email us with questions: lacy@razorfamilyfams.com or leave comments. We love to hear from you!
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Great minds, and all that. I have been thinking similar thoughts. I have just finished the fifth of six placemats. I got a wild hair over the summer when we were traveling and decided I needed to knit us some cotton placemats for the kitchen table. I have enjoyed doing them and thought I might make some dishcloths. The only one I have is one I made when I decided it would be cool to crochet. It is so tight and stiff that it is of no use for washing dishes. Crocheting and I didn’t get along. I may try again some day.
I was also thinking of making little soap bags for Christmas gifts. You know, a little cotton bag to put you soap in to make it like a washcloth. Fill them with special soaps and tie them up with a little ribbon. I almost finished one during my daughter’s piano lesson the other day.
Anyway! Thanks for the patterns. (Nothing like endless rambling for all the world to see.)
Bona Fide! Remember how Col Potter on M*A*S*H used to pronounce that?! That’s what I am sayin’!
Bona Fidey!
Even though I have plenty of patience to embroider, knitting and crocheting just seems too tedious trying to keep up with all that counting. I have tried both before and neither one does it for me. I am impressed that others are able to, though.
As much as I enjoy knitting and crocheting, I can’t believe I have never tried making knitted or crocheted dish cloths or placemats! How ridiculous is that anyway!
Sounds like a great idea for my next crafting venture -once I clean out all the embroidery projects I have waiting in the wings here!
Thanks. My knitting skills require something small, easily finished.
These fit the bill.
I’m a total loser when it comes to knitting or crocheting unless you want knots. Big knots. Really big knots.Gynormus ball of Christmas tree lights tangled up knots. If that’s what you’re going for I’m your gal.
P. S. I admire anyone who can knit or crochet. You rock Lacy!
And you knit, too?!
Bah, you’re amazing!
Hi Lacy! Haven’t been over here for a few days…actually, I’ve been nowhere…kind of wandering around in the dust so to speak…
Anyhow, I sure hope you and Josh can get to VA now that the gas prices are dropping. Ours aren’t as low as I’m hearing about in other parts of the US tho! $2.79/gal here the other day.
My MIL made me some of these only as potholders (she doublelayered them to protect against the heat) years ago. Made so many, I still have a bunch! I should take them out and use as dishcloths!
Hope your week is a beautiful one Lacy. Bet your fall colors are still hanging on.
~Hugs~
Momma Barb
Hi Lacey,
I absolutely NEED to learn how to knit! I think it would be so theraputic on stressful days! Lacey you can do anything! Can you believe the gas prices? Is it as cheap down there? We are paying 2.13! I was shocked!
I Love love love to Crochet! I just don’t have the time this year!!
Happy Thursday!
So it is there anything you can’t do?????
Very neat-I’m going to share it with Granny!
[...] you seen what else is new on our site? Check out our blondes in the buff, knitted dishcloths, nordic braided bread, green manure groundcovers, and a lullaby for a stormy night. If [...]
Out of my league! =P
But awesome job!
I swear we have the exact same yarn! The blue one that changes to brown. My mom actually makes dish cloths like these so I’ll show her to patterns so she has something new to try.
And I tagged you on my blog! I’m sure you’ve gotten these before but I just wanted to send some link love your way!
becca
Oh boy, there you go again with all that lovely expertise. You know where I stand on this (D in sewing), but I still love seeing your creations!
Hi, Lacy! I’m going to be BRAVE and try knitting dishcloths next! Yay…and something I can actually use too…thanks for the pattern! Hugs, Dianne
I received 13 knitted dishcloths over the year for winning a contest last November. I will be showing them sometime soon on a Thursday Thirteen. Now I don’t need to knit dishcloths. I did start one about 10 years ago. It is half done.
I have knitted one dishcloth; it wasn’t pretty. LOL I can crochet and those turn out pretty nice. I like your picture of the pile.