Dishcloths are great projects for new knitters. They are small projects that can be finished quickly and they are the perfect size for practicing new techniques and knitting skills. If you’re new to knitting, this series of easy dishcloth patterns are perfect for beginner knitters.
There are three dishcloth patterns below, each one building on the skills learned in the first pattern with full video tutorials (over 40 minutes of information that will give you a solid foundation in the basic skills of knitting). For brand new knitters, start with the first dishcloth, the Garter Stitch Dishcloth, and then complete the other two. By completing all three of these patterns you’ll understand how to do all the basic knitting skills and techniques you need to know.
Before you start watching the videos, be sure to fill out the form below to get the free patterns delivered right to your email inbox. You’ll also need some basic supplies:
- Cotton yarn for dishcloths like Bernat Handicrafter (available at any big box store) or grab my favorite dishcloth yarn – Dishie (available at Knit Picks <– that’s an affiliate link)
- Size US 7 [4.5 mm] Knitting needles (read about my favorite knitting needles)
- Tapestry needle & scissors for finishing
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Garter Stitch Dishcloth
The first dishcloth pattern to knit is a basic Garter stitch dishcloth that will thoroughly explain the absolute basics.
After following the basic Knit Cast-on, you’ll follow the pattern and knit every row (knitting every row creates a fabric called Garter stitch – which is very stretchy – see the picture in the video below). The resulting fabric has rows of ‘ridges’ – each one is counted as two rows of knitting. When you’ve knit the required length it’s time to bind off your dishcloth.
It’s a simple pattern but a thorough introduction to the basic steps of knitting for beginners.
The video tutorial that accompanies this pattern will demonstrate how to:
- Read a knitting pattern
- Knit Cast on
- How to Knit
- Tips for starting a new row & holding the yarn
- Counting rows in Garter stitch
- Binding off
If you’re following the video while knitting your own dishcloth, be sure to click through to YouTube and use the timestamp links in the video description box to easily locate the information you need.
Purl Ridge Dishcloth
After you complete your Garter Stitch Dishcloth and have a solid understanding of the knit stitch, this dishcloth, the Purl Ridge Dishcloth, will help you learn the other basic stitch you’ll need – the purl stitch. (Once you know how to knit and purl you know the two stitches you’ll need to create everything you want to knit. Everything is built on these two stitches.)
When you alternate rows of knitting with rows of purling, the resulting fabric is called Stockinette (pictured in the video below). It’s flat with little ‘V’s – each ‘V’ is a knit stitch. It’s a common, standard pattern that every knitter needs to know how to produce.
You’ll also begin to tackle another important skill – counting your stitches. Many new knitters skip this step and have to rely on keeping careful notes or posting pictures on social media asking other knitters how many rows they’ve completed. But it isn’t difficult to read your stitches! You just need to understand how each stitch looks and how to count them (and you’ll learn all about that in the video below).
The full video tutorial includes:
- Read the pattern
- Work the Purl stitch
- Start a new row when you’re purling
- Look at Stockinette stitch
- Count your stitches
- Recognize knit and purl stitches
- Bind off in purl (purlwise)
Follow along with the video below while you knit your Purl Ridge Dishcloth pattern (and click through to YouTube to use the timestamp links to jump to any point in the video).
Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth
This classic dishcloth pattern, often called Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth, is a common pattern in the knitting world. If you have any craft-loving relatives you might have received a few of these as gifts (I LOVE handmade gifts like these!).
Like the first pattern in this series, Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth is also worked in Garter stitch (knitting every row). But, instead of beginning along one long edge, you’ll cast on just a few stitches, work an increase on every row (yarn overs) which creates a decorative edge and shapes the dishcloth.
Once it’s as wide as you want it to be, you continue using yarn overs to maintain the pretty detail along the edge, but you’ll also work decrease stitches (knit 2 together – K2tog) to reduce the stitch count and narrow it down to just a few stitches.
All of these techniques are demonstrated in the video tutorial below along with more tips including one of my favourites – how to pick up a missed yarn over when you forgot to add one on the row before (I promise, it really VERY EASY to do!).
This video tutorial will show you how to:
- Work a yarn over
- Pick up a missed yarn over
- Work a K2tog decrease
- Tips for blocking
- Two ways to weave in ends
Be sure to watch the video below while you’re knitting your own dishcloth (and click through to YouTube for the timestamp links so you can find the exact information you’re looking for).
Discover the Confidence You Need to Fix Your Knitting Mistakes
By the end of this six-part self-paced course, you’ll be able to read your knitting, recognize a variety of knitting mistakes, and understand how to fix them.
More Patterns for New Knitters
When you’ve knit your way through these three dishcloth patterns you’ll have a solid understanding of the basic rules of knitting.
If you want to get in a little more knitting practice with some basic projects, here are a few more pattern recommendations for brand-new knitters.
- How to Knit a Cup Cozy (full video tutorial)
- Easy Scarf Knitting Pattern for Beginners (Full video tutorial – perfect for those who want to skip the dishcloths and knit an accessory!)
- 10 Easy Absolute Beginner Knitter Projects (more great knitting pattern ideas for new knitters)
More Dishcloth Knitting Tips
Here are a few more tips for knitting dishcloths. While the patterns above are a great starting point, dishcloths are easy to make up as you go along – especially when you want to try a new knitting pattern (lace patterns make really pretty dishcloths).
How many stitches do you need for a dishcloth?
I like a dishcloth that’s about six inches wide so I cast on enough stitches (30 stitches is a good starting point) to make the dishcloth about that wide. This works well for worsted weight (or Craft Yarn Council medium weight 4) which is about 5 stitches to the inch. If you’re not sure what weight your yarn is, take a look at the yarn label. It should have some gauge information, either listing the stitches for one inch or the stitches for four inches. Use that information to figure out how many stitches you’d want to cast on for a six-inch-wide dishcloth. And, of course, you can change those numbers to adjust the stitch count for any stitch patterns you’re using.
Are knit dishcloths good for cleaning?
Dishcloths knit with cotton yarn are fabulous for cleaning. They are sturdy and durable but the fabric gets softer and softer the more they are washed (while still maintaining their sturdy nature). You can use them to wash dishes, dust your furniture, or any other general household tasks that require a sturdy cloth for cleaning and wiping up spills.
What size knitting needles do I need for dishcloths?
For dishcloths knit with worsted weight (Craft Yarn Council medium weight 4) you can use size US 7 (4.5 mm), US 8 (5 mm), or US 9 (5.5 mm) easily. If you tend to knit on the tight side, go for the larger size needles. If you are a loose knitter, choose the smaller needles.
How long does it take to knit a dishcloth?
Knitting a dishcloth takes between 1 – 4 hours. Beginner knitters will take longer because they are still getting used to basic knitting skills. Experienced knitters can finish a dishcloth in an hour or less.
What yarn should I use for knitting dishcloths?
Cotton yarn is a great choice for dishcloths. It’s durable but softens with use, washable (throw it right into your washing machine and dryer), and inexpensive. You can usually find small skeins of cotton yarn (like Bernat Handicrafter) at many big box stores for less than two dollars.