A dishcloth will fit nicely in your regular purse, so if you want a project to carry (just in case you need a little stress relief, TLC or emergency knit therapy while you’re out), dishcloths are great for that.
At home, knitted dishcloths add a nice touch of handmade to your kitchen, and make cleaning up just that little bit more joyful.
But that’s not even the best part! The best part is that they actually make great dishcloths! Believe me, you’ll have a hard time wiping that satisfied smug look off your face when your dishcloth soaks up that spill like a superstar.
Bonus: Dishcloths make splendid gifts! Knit up a set of three in matching or complimentary colours, wrap in a cute little bundle and gift with an earth-friendly dish soap.
Need to plan your handmade Christmas gifts for this year?
Done.
You’re welcome
Finally, knitting dishcloths is a great way to practice your skills. I love what Staci Perry says about this:
For knitters, knitting a dishcloth is similar to a chef cooking a perfect egg. It is a chance to really focus on basic skills and do them well. In knitting, that means beautiful stitches, even edge tension, and tidy finishing work.
My go-to yarn for dishcloths at the moment is Dishie Yarn by Knit Picks. It’s affordable and comes in an array of gorgeous colours – perfect for mix and match.
I’m yet to find an (affordable) organic and naturally dyed cotton yarn to use for my dishcloth knitting. So, for now I’m sticking with Dishie.
(If you have any recommendation for affordable and earth-friendly cotton yarns, please let me know!)
I highly recommend it. (Note: I wash my dishcloths using the sanitize function on my washing machine – the same high heat setting I use to wash the cloth diapers – and so far they have stood up to the test!)
I’ve gathered 12 of my favourite dishcloth knitting patterns for you below.
I’ve chosen these ones specifically with functionality and simplicity in mind, but with enough variety in style to keep boredom at bay. You may even have the opportunity to try out a new technique or two!
- Neutral Stripes Dishcloth via Knit Picks – This is so simple! An all garter stitch dishcloth couldn’t be easier and is perfect for beginners. But easy doesn’t have to mean boring! Look how the neutral colours create a stylish and classic look. Bright colours would also look fabulous and could be chosen to match your home. This dishcloth knit in a one solid colour would look simply stunning.
- Log Cabin Dishcloth via Knit Picks – This dishcloth is knit using a technique called Log Cabin. If you haven’t tried this skill yet, this dishcloth offers the perfect opportunity to give it a go. The central square is knit first, then the stitches are picked up on one edge and knit to complete the border.
- Quadrant Dishcloth via Knit Picks – Quadrant is knit in garter stitch and the border stripe is picked up and knit along the edge. This pattern is perfect for using up the very last bits of your leftover dishcloth yarn. Nothing goes to waste…So satisfying!
- Double Bump Dishcloth by Missy Angus via Ravelry – This is one of my favourites. The pattern looks good on both sides and the textured stitch pattern makes the dishcloth good for cleaning tougher stains and spots. Don’t worry about the pattern looking more complicated. It’s simple and you’ll be able to memorize the repeats before you know it.
- Nai Nai’s Favourite by Ali Crockett via Knitta.net – This is a beautiful coupling of two grandmothers’ favourite dishcloth patterns. It’s knit from corner to corner on the diagonal, making for a more interesting knit. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to practice increasing and decreasing stitches. It’s flexible in sizing, just keep increasing until you have the desired width on the diagonal, then decrease. Simple!
- Campfire Dishcloth via Knit Picks – Campfire is a gorgeous textured dishcloth worked with using slipped stitch. Perhaps another technique you’d like to try? It is very easy and is a good choice for beginner knitters. Like the double bump pattern, the textures makes for a very practical dishcloth.
- Slant Dishcloth via Knit Picks – Slant is great when you want a simple dishcloth in a hurry. It’s knit from corner to corner in garter stitch, yet the colour blocking shown here makes for an interesting and modern-looking dishcloth. You can make it to whatever size you need, simply stop increasing when the dishcloth is big enough.
- Ridge Dishcloth via Knit Picks – Ridge is knit in garter stitch using a style known as the Mitred Square. It’s a very cool technique! You cast on enough stitches for the length of two sides of the square and by doing double decreases in the centre of each row it transforms into a perfect square. Amazing. This pattern also demonstrates the beauty of alternating colours. The colour changes make it easy to keep track of your decrease rows and result in a stunning striped dishcloth.
- Nana’s Favourite Dishcloth via All Free Knitting – Nana knows best. Nana’s Favorite Dishcloth pattern is an easy dishcloth for beginners to develop their knitting skills. Like the double bump dishcloth, this one has lots of texture and is interesting to knit.
- Grandmother’s favourite by Traditional Design via Ravelry – This is a classic dishcloth pattern, passed on from one knitter to another across generations. It’s knit diagonally in garter stitch from corner to corner with an decorative eyelet border. It’s an oldie but a goodie.
- Ballband Dishcloth by Peaches and Creme Design Team via Ravelry – This one is super fun. It looks complicated, but it’s not, honest! It’s beautiful worked in solids and variegated yarns. The possibilities are seriously endless.
- Sinkmates by Lorilee Beltman via Ravelry – A beautiful mitred square dishcloth pattern with a contrasting i-cord border and loop to hang your dishcloth up. Lorilee is selling this pattern to raise money for the special olympics. Another example of how knitting can be used to support a meaningful cause.
I’d love to hear what your favourite dishcloth patterns are. Please let me know in the comments below!
(Oh and if anyone can recommend some ethically produced and earth-friendly yarns, please, please let me know!)
Peace, Love, and Knit Om,
Becky
x
(Image credits: Knit Picks, Knit Picks, Knit Picks, bluepeninsula, turnipseed, Knit Picks, Knit Picks, Knit Picks, All Free Knitting, Vintage, Carole Julius Photography, sybilr)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase a product than I have linked to, I will receive a small commission. This does not cost you anything, and you can always find the pattern through the site directly. But by using my link, you are supporting me and my work. I truly appreciate it when you support me in this way.
