Pretty handmade garlands make even the simplest of celebrations seem like a real treat. Handmade Charlotte has a great roundup of DIY garland ideas that are sure to please, whether you’re planning a birthday party, family reunion, baby shower, or anything in between. Most are easy enough you could make your kids assemble them, if you’re too busy preparing the food! Click here for the details.
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Easy Washcloth Knitting Patterns
There are so many washcloth knitting patterns (and dishcloth knitting patterns, though we’ll get to those separately) out there, and with good reason. These little projects are relatively fast and easy to knit, they’re a great way to learn new stitches, they’re useful and they make a fun handmade addition to a housewarming gift, teacher appreciation or really any time.
You can search this site and find lots of washcloth knitting patterns (including a handful I designed several years ago), but I thought it was time for a roundup. Can you delay spring cleaning because you need to knit a washcloth to clean with? Maybe.
The Spa Day Facecloth by Anne Mancine (free pattern on Ravelry) was meant by its name to be for your body, not your chores, but the textured stitch pattern would be great for washing dishes as well as your face. This one uses DK weight yarn, though you could make it in more standard worsted if you want (know that it will come out bigger than the pattern calls for).
If you’re a new knitter looking to move beyond knit and purl, the Exposed Brick Dishcloth from Perfectly Knotted is a great choice. It’s worked mostly in stockinette stitch with some texture added by strategically swapping purls and knits.
Oh La Lana has a huge collection of washcloth/blanket block knitting patterns, many of which just use knits and purls. I wanted to share this hourglass one because I think it’s really fun and their patterns are written out or they have a chart so you can work whichever way you want (or use the written instructions to help you learn to read the chart).
The fun thing about washcloths is that you can add just about any simple design you want to the center, still using knit and purl stitches. This heart (which could also be an afghan square) from Daisy and Storm is a great example of that.
If you’re looking for a bunch of basic washcloth knitting patterns, check out this collection from Knit On Designs. It includes five basic knit and purl washcloth designs so you can make a set as a gift or for yourself.
Knit a Washcloth Inspired by Waffles
Knit a Cute Washcloth for Spring
Book Review – Baby Washcloths and Afghan Squares