When we were very first learning how to knit, the first project we ever completed was a dish cloth. Since then, we’ve made probably hundreds of them because they’re so useful and they make great gifts. That’s why we’re always keeping an eye out for new knitted dish cloth patterns that we like and haven’t tried before!
Just in case you love the idea of making knitted dish cloths just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of our very favourite patterns that we refer back to all the time.
1. Gathered washcloth
Normally when you knit you’re instructed not to pull anything hard enough that your stitches gather or bunch, but this pattern is a little bit different and we adore the texture it makes! Check out how this gathered stockinette and garter cloth is made in more detail on Angela Perry.
2. Sploshy washcloth
We’ve always loved seed stitch. There’s just something about the texture that feels like such a satisfying pay off compared to how simple it is to do! It only makes sense, then, that we’d also be in love with this fantastic seed stitch and garter wash cloth design outlined step by step on Chocolate Mints in A Jar.
3. Dishcloth dungarees
Believe it or not, these adorable little knitted pants are actually a dish cloth! We can’t get over the cute techniques Lil’ Knit of This and That use to make the adorable little bloomer looking cloth, complete with ribbon embellishments at the waist and around the ankles. They’ll look like pants on a clothesline when you hang the cloth up to dry after doing the dishes!
4. Aunt May dishcloth
In families where many generations of knitters exist, we find there’s almost always a custom knitted dish cloth pattern that gets handed down and passed around and that can be found in just about every family member’s home, hanging by the kitchen sink. This lovely Aunt May cloth with its alternating ribbed squares, outlined in full on Homespun Living, is the perfect example of what we mean!
5. Double bump dishcloth
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about dish clothes that have lots of unique texture thanks to their stitch pattern but you recently made a huge seed stitch project and you feel like you could use a break from that for a bit? Then here’s an awesome alternative for your consideration! Check out how My jewel Thief made this double bump cloth instead.
6. Waffle stitch cloth
Just in case you can’t already tell that we love and adore texture, here’s another idea for our fellow stitch pattern lovers! This cloth from Homespun Living features a neat waffle stitch all across its surface and, as if that wasn’t cool looking enough, they even show you where to add a stripe for a pop of colour.
7. Two colour ribbed squares cloth
Did we almost have your attention with the basket weave style pattern we showed you above but you can’t help wondering whether or not there’s a way to make that same idea in a dual colour scheme? Well, thanks to this design from Thrifty Knitter, we’re pleased to report that you can absolutely do just that!
8. Two-colour garter slip stitch
What if we really caught your attention when we started talking about awesome two colour patterns but the boxy look of the design we showed you above doesn’t really appeal to you? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Monika’s Free Patterns made this garter slip stitch design with a base and contrast colour instead.
9. Easy squidge cloth
Are you actually still thinking about how much you did like the boxy ribbed design we were talking about earlier but you think you’d like it a little more if the ribs were closer together so the cloth would have even more extra satisfying squish than usual? In that case, we think you’ll get a long quite well indeed with this pattern outlined step by step on Knit Nutt!
10. Basket rib cloth
We’ve talked a little bit about different basket ribbed designs by now, but here’s one that’s a little more classic and evenly spaced. Check out how this particular pattern from Traci Knits lets you create an awesome almost cubed shaped that’s particularly impressive looking if you use a self striping yarn like they did.
11. Intertwined cloth
Have you actually been scrolling through our list looking for patterns that will help you make something a little more intricate because you’re a very skilled knitter indeed and you don’t mind putting lots of care into a project as small as even just a dish cloth? Then you just might be the perfect person to give this fantastic woven cables design from Smariek Knits a try!
12. Simply striped cloth
Are you actually a very basic beginner looking to knit your first pattern but you’re also such a colour lover that you’re intent on using something that you know self striping yarn will look really great with? Then we think you simply must look up this fantastic striped stockinette and garter border pattern featured on Wishing I Was Knitting.
13. Woven basket stitch
When we talked above basket stitched style cloths, were you picture a much more genuinely woven style that mimics the way an actual wicker basket might look? In that case, we think you’ll find this beautiful interwoven pattern outlined step by step on Stumbling Over Chaos very appealing to both make and look at!
14. Candy striper dishcloth
Have you actually been looking for a simply striped pattern that you can use as some basic practice for learning how to carry yarn up the side? In that case, we think we might have found just the pattern for you at long last! Take a good look how Knit With Kt did just that with neatness and precision, even at the edges.
15. Little Pyramid cloth
Now that we’ve got you thinking about texture and looking at so many different shaped and raised patterns, do you think you might prefer to make one that really highlights your stitch definition? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Free Pattern Friday made this fantastic zig-zagging pattern inspired by pyramids!
