Once upon a time, I’d look at a pattern for a dishcloth or washcloth and think, why would anyone want to knit a dishcloth? Don’t they have something more interesting that they’d like to knit?
Then, we had a pandemic and I found just watching the news became a stressful occupation. I needed something soothing to knit that didn’t require much thought. I found a couple of balls of Dishie that I’d ordered from Knitpicks a long time ago and I cast on a simple Gramma’s Dishcloth designed by PJ Allen. I ran out of Dishie.
So alongside my next order of Drops yarn from Purple Sheep Yarns, I ordered some Paris in various pretty pastel shades and I was off!
- I just had fun. I knitted stripes.
- Narrow stripes and wide stripes.
- I edged the stripes and I didn’t edge the stripes
- I knitted textures like broken rib and moss stitch.
- I knitted garter stitch mitred squares. Plain mitred squares and striped mitred squares.
- I had fun with colour blocks with the leftovers from more planned dishcloths.
- I knit different styles of log cabin blocks.
I knit a couple of these which wended their way to the kitchen drawer. Dishcloths were given to my mum. My mum uses one of hers for a facecloth and really likes how soft it is.
And now, I have dishcloths constantly on the go. They have their own project bag on the projects shelf in the lounge. You can knit a dishcloth in an evening because they are small and perfectly portable. They are easy to carry around and a pleasure to knit in hot weather.
They are incredibly relaxing to knit. There is very little thought put into planning the colour choices. I just take what I think will look nice with the other colours.
They are machine washable and I change them for a fresh one every day in the kitchen. They soften with time.
And, they are environmentally friendly. There will be no danger to the water system from washing them. They are useful in the kitchen and the bathroom. I have one in the car. When they get a bit scruffy for kitchen use they can be demoted to washing floors and finally to washing flower pots. And at the very end of their life, they can be cut up in pieces and composted.
So from thinking, I don’t know why anyone wants to knit a dishcloth, I now can see why everyone should want to knit a dishcloth. I’m a fan!
The only environmental issue with cotton is how much water is required when growing the cotton plants. But they are a vast improvement on the micro cloths and I find them better for actually using in the kitchen.
I’ll always have a little pile of dishcloths ready to use or give away as a present!
I’ve gone from not appreciating them to realising how, when I don’t have the mind width to knit on a sock, shawl or even a hat, I can knit a 20cm (8″) square of cotton and feel like I’ve achieved something useful at the end! Perfection…
I have a terrible time with DPNs – my stitches always fall off. So I was so glad to see these dishcloths that are fun, quick and easy to make on straight needles. Can’t wait to try some of the interesting patterns you have.
That is partly why I like to knit on wooden or bamboo DPNs. They aren’t as slick as metal needles and the stitches tend to stay in place.
I think this is wonderful! I would love a group where we can share patterns. I started knitting them during the pandemic also to keep busy without having to think! I love them! I give them as small gifts of appreciation from my doctor’s nurse to a house warming gift with handmade soap.
I wonder if a blanket made of dishcloth/cotton yarn would be more fun to make and just as cool as an aircell one?
Love your photos.
Hi Nicolette! I so had a laugh reading your sentence “why would anyone want to knit a dishcloth?” because I know this question so well.
I’ve been knitting dishcloths for three years now – mostly for the same reason as you. It is really relaxing just to knit without thinking about difficult patterns and at the end you do have a result and a finished project.
I discovered and started knitting dishcloths in the summer of 2018 when I was knitting a woolen sweater and it got very hot over here in Germany. Knitting yak wool with sweaty fingers is not a good idea then, it turned out matted. So, while researching nice little summer projects with cotton wool I stumbled upon dishcloth knitting. And I got hooked. Meanwhile I have a huge stash of dishcloth cotton wool at home. Those dishcloths are so handy – they serve as a gift, as gift wrapping, can be personalized etc. etc. Most of my friends and family use them now and order new ones when theirs are really of no use anymore.
And as you wrote using knitted dishcloths is more environmentally friendly than those made from microfiber. They don’t pollute the wastewater with microplastics.
BTW I also knit dish sponges made from jute or sisal. They are also a good alternative to those bought ones. Friends and family love them too.
So thanks for sharing your expierence with dishcloth knitting, I really enjoyed it!
I’m coming late to the party! I recently found your “basic sock pattern 1” from 2011 as I was looking for a better pattern than the one I’d been using. Have to say, I LOVE it. It’s so clear and precise, and the tips included (like knitting into the back of the stitch after picking up the gusset stitches) are great!
It was just exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much.
I’m so pleased you’re enjoying knitting socks! One of my favourite things to knit…