Reflections of a Rural Social Worker: Saving our planet: knitting cotton dishcloths

Knitted cotton dishcloths have become so popular that there are now myriads of patterns on the internet. These dishcloths replace wettex and chux etc, are much more durable and can be placed in the compost when worn out. They can be used for washing up, wiping benches, washing people (instead of washers) and as general cleaning cloths. They can be thrown in the washing machine and washed numerous times. What is not to like about them?

Below I have featured some of my favourite patterns (they are all free) and given links to them.

Ripples

This was knitted in 8 ply cotton, but would work with two balls of 4 ply cotton of the same colour used together.

The pattern can be found here:

https://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Ripples_Dishcloth__D55836220.html

Mock Honeycomb

This is a fun stitch to do and quite easy once you get the hang of it. This was also knitted in 8 ply cotton, which is probably easier than trying to use 2 strands of 4 ply together.

The pattern can be found here (click on the words "available for free"):

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mock-honeycomb-dishcloth

Diamond Brocade

An easy pattern knitted in 8 ply cotton, but would work with two strands of the same coloured 4 ply used together.

This is the link:

https://knittingunlimited.blogspot.com/2016/08/dishcloth-6-diamond-brocade.html

Waffle Weave

I have made this one up in many colour variations, usually using two strands of 4 ply cotton together in complementary colours, as the pattern lends itself well to this. Stripes of a contrasting colour can also be used.

The pattern can be found here:

https://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html

Leaf Lace

For something a little less utilitarian, this is a lovely pattern to try. I did this one with two strands of the same coloured 4 ply.

Here is the pattern(once again click on "free Ravelry download"):

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leaf-lace-washcloth

Butterflies and Hearts

There are many patterns that use purl and plain stitches to create pictures, and I searched for butterflies and hearts dishcloth patterns to use in a lap rug for my granddaughter (another use for dishcloth patterns, but this time knitted with wool). This was the result, and I have listed links to some of the patterns below:

Butterfly dishcloth by Emily Jagos:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/butterfly-dishcloth-3

Butterfly dish or face cloth knitting pattern by Barbara Brieter;

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/clothbutterfly2.htm

Lacy Butterfly dishcloth by Rachael van Schie:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-butterfly-dishcloth

A Valentine Surprise "Be My Dishcloth" by Kris Knits:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/be-my-dishcloth