Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth
This beautiful beginner knit dishcloth pattern is a practical piece you will reach for again and again.
There's never a bad time to start collecting more free dishcloth knitting patterns, and this one is definitely a keeper. Use this pattern for Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth to make all of your friends a practical gift that looks great too. Knit with several yarn overs, this cloth features a framed edge, making it as visually appealing as it is great for using in the kitchen. Dishcloths are great beginner knitting patterns because they are such quick knits. You'll easily be able to make a few of these for everyone you know.
Once you've finished this one, check out the Citrus Twist Dishcloths too!
Note: This project is from I Like Knitting digital magazine. Non-members can access 3 free patterns every month. Subscribe to the I Like Knitting Gold Club for unlimited access to their entire pattern archive, featuring hundreds of exclusive patterns.
Knitting Needle Size6 or 4 mm, 7 or 4.5 mm
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Incredibly Easy Knit Dishcloth
Check out this video tutorial to see a step-by-step tutorial on how to knit an incredibly easy dishcloth.
Note from the Editor
When you look at this dishcloth knitting pattern, you probably see a cute and simple kitchen cloth that your grandma would’ve used, but when I look at this pattern, I see my childhood baby blanket. Most of us can relate to having a blankie as a kid that we couldn’t leave the house without. I remember mine looked exactly like this dishcloth, except somewhat larger and had a little bear stitched in the corner. I used to ball the blanket up underneath my head at night as if it were an extra pillow, which is funny because I hardly use my pillow as an adult.
Naturally, as I grew older, the blanket got rattier, and because I was a strange little kid, one day I decided that I needed to grow up and not have a baby blanket anymore. For clarification, I was probably 4 when I decided this. I remember standing over my trash can dramatically as I dropped my baby blanket inside. I continued to stare and cry at the loss of my blanket when my dad came in and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was too old for my baby blanket, and he just laughed at me and pulled it out of the trash. I still have that baby blanket, and now, I’m working on this knitting pattern as a way to stay connected with my childhood blankie.
Read NextEasy Everyday Dishcloth
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Gracie
Jan 16, 2017
This is a great pattern and you can adjust the number of stitches you add as you go, if needed to get the shape you want. I love the idea of using this same pattern to make a blanket. I've got some soft, chunky yarn and I am going to use it to make a blanket using this same pattern. Has anyone else tried this.
Lisa
Jun 29, 2022
I've been making baby blankets this way since the early '90's. In the early days of the internet, I bragged about it, now every yarn company on the planet seems to have a pattern to do it. For full size blankets, make multiple large squares and sew them together.
3cats2love
Jan 15, 2017
This is a classic dishcloth pattern that goes way back. And like the editor said, if you make this big enough it can be a baby blanket. I have made one like that before. It is great to make this pattern cotton and especially with self-striping yarn that makes patterns in the dishcloth.
Karleen F
Dec 02, 2016
This is a great easy pattern that I tend to do in front of the television or as something to keep my hands busy so I'm not eating mindlessly. I love that I can use these dishcloths to get rid of my small amounts of yarn. I know I never throw any away, how do you use up those "scraps"?
cathy82414 4772729
Oct 04, 2016
I make this same dishcloth with a few variations. I use a size 9 needle to make it and end with five stitches instead of four. Everyone who receives one of these just loves them!!
fullpriceno1 10917 93
Sep 14, 2016
I wasn't sure if I should use cotton or acrylic yarn on this, so I tried both! The cotton doesn't have as much give as the acrylic, but they both came out great. I'm putting one in my bathroom to wipe down the tub. Thank you to whoever suggested adding a loop to hang it up from.
The Designing Peng uin
Apr 28, 2016
Considering the cost of dish clothes that are useless and last for a short time - this uses up leftover yarn and makes a sturdier and attractive dishcloth. Great idea
Sug
Feb 19, 2014
someone gave me a knitted dish cloth like this. I am glad to find the pattern, but I sure can't figure it out. How do you increase in the 3rd row. I need it explained clearer.
apolhamus 9891343
Feb 19, 2014
The 3rd row starts the decreasing. When you get to row 44, you should have a triangle that will become the bottom half of the square that you will have when you finish.
Lisa
May 31, 2014
on the third row decrease, you K1, k2 tog. yo, K2 tog-this keeps your pattern of the "yo" from previous rows consistent, while decreasing 1 stitch that will allow you to decrease to the original cast on stitch amount. so, after you have 44 or more stitches on the needle you will begin to decrease-it will be making the triangle you've created into a square as you decrease. hope this helps, its a lot easier to do, than explain.
Kelleyc29 5222159
Aug 10, 2012
This is the first thing I learned to knit, this very pattern!! My Aunt gave it to me to knit for the church bizarre about six years ago and I've been knitting them for that ever since.
laine
Jul 09, 2012
i have enjoyed this pattern for years, and old friend gave it to me many years ago
ngise 1971062
Jun 25, 2012
Since learning to make these dishcloths, I have made about 600 of them. I sell them at craft shows and give them to my 7 children and several grandchildren, sister-in-laws and friends at Christmas and birthdays. It gives me something to do in the evenings while I sit and watch TV. I think I could make them in my sleep....lol
sunnycowtown 50041 14
May 24, 2012
This is a good basic pattern, my mom does it alot and I've done a few. I am at crocheting though so I do tunisian crochet dishcloths, I think they are faster! And I like the results of 2 color linen stitch dishcloths, but they take longer to do(for me). I also found the stitch for both of these to be stronger, as it produces a denser fabric swatch. But I was wondering, I usually use crochet cotton, are there some fibres stronger for this pattern, or are there some fibres that would be better ie. softer for a baby's washcloth?
clobel 9404383
May 24, 2012
the easiest and most fun. works up quickly. and i make the small version for the baby washcloths. goes through the washer and dryer with no problems. i've made these for the last few years. more than 50, and everyone loves them. thank you
barbjuans 5955572
Apr 14, 2012
I have found that in making dishcloths it is fun to use a second strand of crochet thread in a coordinating color I use Aunt Lydia's Classic or DMC crochet thread and just work with the two balls at once one sugar and cream and one size crochet thread I have varied this pattern also and have been having great luck with it I start by casting on then increase in the rd loop every row up until you have rows then decrease by knitting then knit together all the way down till you have loops left then I knit two bind off knit together bind off knit two together and bind off then the corner doesn't seem to stretch out and is more uniform and matches the other I use size bamboo circular needles with a connection Have been making these by the dozens lately in all sorts of pretty…Read More varigated colors It's amazing what the extra crochet thread worked in does gives the dish cloth a more substantial structure too I am so happy I met a lady in the yarn isle one day and she told me about this wonderful dishcloth pattern By only going up to rows it is a much nicer size to use also and I can get two cloths from one standard Sugar and Cream ball of yarn
photosoccer 791275 1
Apr 13, 2012
I love this pattern. BUT, no matter what I do, every time I finish one it's lopsided and ends up taking a diamond shape instead of square. What could be causing this?
Cp 6693910
Apr 15, 2012
I make this same dishcloth only my pattern reads: Cast on 4 stitches... knit 2 rows even on these four stitches... knit 2 stitches...Yarn over...knit to the end.... repeat this to row 45.... now you decrease.. knit 1....knit 2 together ...Yarnover... knit 2 together. Hope this helps, it worth a try. repeat until you have 4 stitches left on needle.... then bind off.
HisGrace4Me
May 23, 2012
Mine do the same thing. I've tried all the standard suggestions, and so far nothing works. I've even had a friend - whose dishcloths by this pattern work just fine - sit with me, and she verified that I'm doing it right. Mine, for some weird reason, just come out wonky. Can anyone help us??
sec104 8820436
Mar 18, 2012
I have done this pattern for years and cannot keep them in stock...All my friends and family love them....I also used this pattern with Baby Clouds Yarn and made a Baby Blanket that was just enough to lay over the top of the carrier.... as well as to not having the blanket DRAGGING the ground..All my new Mothers have loved this size for New Borns as well...I never leavr home without needles and yarn to work on a Dish Rag...Easy..Easy...Easy...Enjoy!!
TwoBlueOceanse
Feb 29, 2012
I am having trouble getting the edges to have that loop/space on the sides of the dishcloth created while increasing the length of the rows. Any suggestions?
arlenenewman 31384 51
Apr 02, 2012
When you K1 K2tog, yarn over, K2tog--the yarn over makes the loop/space. Perhaps your stitches are too tight and you are not getting the loop??? Try loosening up your stitches and do not pull the "yarn over" too tight. Good luck!
arlenenewman 31384 51
Apr 02, 2012
same for the increase rows. sorry--read your post incorrectly. good luck!
lainiebgood
Nov 10, 2011
love this pattern. I have been making these for several years. Easy to make and everyone loves them. My sister-in-law gave me the pattern.
barbaracook33 2306 823
Sep 06, 2011
i am so glad to find this dishcloth pattern. I have looked and looked for this one. I have made it but see my mistakes now. Thats so much to your grandma wanting some more dishclothes and thanks to you for sharing the pattern.
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