Monday 22 March 2010

Knitted dishcloths


I'm back on the knitted dishcloths again - my drawer needs refilling. They last well, though, I haven't needed any for a while. These are two of the easiest ones. I do mine in double knti cotton, usually got from charity shops, etc; any colour, or stripes to use up the bits and pieces.
The first one is garter stitch, so all plain knitting:

Using 4 or 5mm needles, cast on 44 stitches and work in garter stitch until you've produced a square, or however long you want it, then cast off and sew in the tails.
The next one is easy too, if you can do purl as well, it's a basket weave stitch.

Here's the stitch detail:

Again, 4 or 5mm needles, cast on 44 stitches.
Row 1: knit 4, purl 4 to end of row, ending on knit 4
Row 2: purl 4, knit 4 to end of row, ending on purl 4
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: purl 4, knit 4 to end of row, ending on purl 4
Row 6: knit 4, purl 4 to end of row, ending on knit 4
Row 7: as row 5
Row 8: as row 6.
Continue as set, until desired length, ending on a 4th or 8th row to complete pattern. Cast off and sew in the tails.

There are hundreds of lovely patterns freely available on the net, a lot of them from America - it would take more than a lifetime to knit them all, and even I'm not going to try that! LOL
They make lovely presents too, much nicer to use than anything shop bought, and can be popped in and out of the washing machine with impunity. When too worse for wear, they go on the compost heap.
Knitted in soft cotton, they make very nice facecloths in place of bought flannels :)
Anyone else knit their own?

11 comments:

brightandnew said...

I have just finished my first ever dishcloth this morning! I crocheted mine, but I'm planning to have a go at knitting one - there are some really beautiful patterns out there on the net but I'm not that experienced a knitter so will probably go for something very simple! I love the look of the basket weave on your cloth - very pretty.

Unknown said...

I've knitted many, but have decided that I like crocheted ones better - they hold their shape. My favorite ones are those made with odds and ends of cotton yarn.

Julie said...

Yes - I knit dishcloths too and like you give them as gifts ( ours go in to our Christmas hampers)
I only do simple ones as I'm not an experienced knitter - but I think I could manage the basket-weave one so will have a go at that style next.

Julie
x

Rowan said...

I'm another one who knits dishcloths, they are simple o do and great to use. My daughter loved the ones I gave her at Christmas and has asked for more!

Mrs M said...

Just caught up with your last two blogs. Have been meaning to knit dishcloths for ages; first find my cotton yarn in the charity shop!The blogger Barefoot Beekeeper is interesting and no doubt one you have already found but if not here it is: biobees.blogspot.com
full of information and free.

MrsL said...

Nice to see others knitting away too :)

Thanks MrsM, he's on my bookmarks, and I belong to a couple of forums too, so will save the 50 and stick with them!

MrsL

xx

alison young said...

have always knitted my own as they work so much better than anything you can buy,but now that my daughter is learning to knit she does them!!

Carolemc said...

I knit a whole lot the Xmas before last to give as presents with nice soaps...a nice waffle weave with a coloured stripe in the middle. Managed to knit myself 1 - which I use as a facecloth and love.

Must look out for some cheap cotton as I love using them. I also loved being able to customise them to the person receiving them. For my Sister who loves anything heart shaped....I knitted one with heart motifs on which she loves.

Anonymous said...

Me me too!

I thought I'd posted this yesterday but must have done something wrong. It's posted on DTE forums too with a couple of pics and ands it's really easy to do!

50gms cotton yarn, 8ply/dk and size 5mm/UK6 needles.

Cast on 42 stitches and knit 2 rows.
Begin pattern........k1, "yarn forward, k2 together" repeat to last stitch, k1.
Work 6 rows of pattern.
Knit 6 rows.
Work 30 rows of pattern.
Knit 6 rows.
Pattern 6 rows.
K 2 rows then cast/bind off!

The pattern is called Turkish faggotting and makes a lovely open knit.

Sue Caissy/coffeee

MrsL said...

Thanks Sue - I'll pop that one up under the Makes page and give it a go.

Nice to see so many at it! :)

MrsL

xx

Radiant Times said...

I knit my own, too. Just trying to live more simply and sustainably.