One of the nice things about a knitted dishcloth pattern is its gauge usually doesn’t matter. Which is a blessing for me, because I’ve been known to rewrite patterns to match my gauge. Yes, really! I knit loosely, and use the pick or Continental method. When I use the throw or English/American method, the gauge is much closer. And my knitting is much tighter. So I think most patterns are written by knitters using the throw method. Personally I find the pick method much easier, faster and smoother. If you like a different method GREAT! What else makes knitted dishcloth patterns... (Read More ...)
I’m a fan of hand knit dishcloths. Every time I use one, I’m amazed at how long they last. And how much better they are at scrubbing than manufactured dishcloths. Although they can be fancy with embossed-looking images, they don’t have to be. A knitted dishcloth pattern can be as simple as garter stitch. I just finished knitting one in about three hours. Grandma's Favorite Knitted Dishcloth I used a dishcloth pattern that’s been around for years. It’s called Grandma’s or Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth. Its name suits. It’s a quick and easy knit. All you need to know is... (Read More ...)
One of my earliest Christmas memories is my sister and I receiving identical knit hats from my Aunt Gerry. They were red, with a face on the back, lovingly hand embroidered for children. Even to the google eyes. Hey, we were toddlers and thought them very cool! Christmas is a great time to relive happy memories—and to create some new ones. Yes, it’s great to be able to make a scarf, mittens, or even a sweater for a loved one. Especially if they actually like it! Sometimes, though, other problems challenges crowd out the knitting time. And even the fastest knitter needs more than an hour... (Read More ...)
A couple of days ago, my cotton worsted yarn was calling. Instead of the usual dishcloths, I decided to knit washcloths. You know, the kind that are often referred to as spa washcloths. Many patterns for spa washcloths use garter stitch, which makes a good scrubbing surface. However, it’s not as fancy as I wanted. I like the two colors of a Ballband dishcloth. And making one the opposite or negative of the other economically uses 2 small balls of cotton yarn almost completely. In looking closely at some of the dishcloths I’ve made from the Ballband knitting instructions, they looked... (Read More ...)
The first socks I knit had no stretch, were cast on too tightly, and never worn. For many years they stayed in my parents’ chest of drawers because only a parent could love those socks. I remember knitting them, having learned to knit a year or two before. My mother bought me a kit to knit argyle socks, and I was using knitting bobbins for the first time. Also I was knitting for the first time with colors and in the round. In retrospect, it was a project far beyond my years — both in knitting experience and my actual age. Still, I stubbornly completed two socks. If you’ve... (Read More ...)
