A new twist to a knitted dishcloth


Today's a fun one!
Sitting around the dinner table on Mother's Day the conversation turned to craft - as it does - and I was saying how I wanted to make some knitted dishcloths but I didn't have the yarn I wanted.
We then played around with the idea of making them with what else but actual dishcloths!

I loved the idea and got straight to work. 
An easy, cute project that takes no time to complete.  
You only need basic knitting skills - cast on/off and plain stitch.

They are super soft when wet and become a gentle scourer. My finished cloth was about 10cm x 11cm 


You will need : about 3 average sized dishcloths (different colours if you have them but one is fine too!) plus a pair of size US 11/8mm knitting needles.  I used a pair of Tasmanian Oak Art Viva Knitting Needles.

  • Cut a stack of 1 inch strips
  • Tie a few of them together with a simple knot and pull firmly.
  • Cut the knot ends quite close to the knot as it won't untie.
  • Cast on 10 stitches and knit 6 rows - all garter stitch (plain)
  • Change colours if you are using more then one
  • Knit four more rows, change colour again.
  • Repeat this 2 more times
  • Change for the last time and knit 5 rows and on the last row cast off
  • Poke in or trim any sticky out bits.

34 comments:

Unknown said...

cute!

MsDriver said...

very cute Jodie... I love the idea of knitting with something other than yarn...

ARTwendy ... said...

I love this - perfectly fitting ... I'll let you know when I give this a try ... thanks for sharing the epiphany!!

emma @ frog, goose and bear said...

this is such a fantastic idea!!

Sew Inspired said...

This is an incredible idea. I bet they even last longer. I am on my way to buy new dish cloths to try these right away.

Franca said...

This is very cute and unique

Anonymous said...

if you cut a slit in the material and weave it together it holds better my grandmother did this when her washcloths became old

Anonymous said...

why not put a slit in both ends and run it through. cant;' explain it well, but is often used. see plarn methods. then they won't come apart.

Mommyof2girlz/StephD said...

That is so cute and crafty, love it!

3 sons said...

Neat idea.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Is this the disposable type dish clothss? Where would you buy the type that you used? They don't look familiar to me???

alejandra said...

Very good idea, I give this a try

Jodie @ The Haby Goddess said...

The type of dishcloths I used was chux superwipes (australia). They definitely withstood the knitting and didn't break.

Anonymous said...

So I think this is really cool. Can't wait to try this. So I hope I am correct that it is the disposable dishcloths that you are talking about

Anonymous said...

These look like reusable Handi Wipes (U.S.)

Katie said...

I'll have to try this. I knit myself some rugs this winter.

Calico Child said...

Such a fun thing to do! :)

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

I love this ... a knit dishcloth using a dishcloth - brilliant!

Kara @ Simplistically Sassy said...

So brilliant!!

Robot said...

Cute! I don't knit but maybe I should learn how to!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea!!!! I think I want to do this but crocheted. What do you think?

luvthatstampin said...

I'm just learning to knit, and I have to make 7 dishcloths with different stitches until I "graduate" to whatever I want. I'm on dishcloth #6 now, and this dishcloth looks like a snap. Thanks for this wonderful idea. I'll share it with my knitting group.

Natalie said...

I am wondering if anyone else actually made one. I am and its not the easiest thing to knit. Neat idea just time consuming. i will finish this one and just use the rest of the clothes as is.

Jodie @ The Haby Goddess said...

Hi Natalie, as a sewer I think I just loved doing this project as it was a little different to what I normally do, and it didn't take very long to complete at all. Like all craft tutorials, they are just ideas to try and have a bit of fun with. It's a shame you didn't enjoy it as much as I did.

Lexi said...

Neat idea!

CynW said...

Jodie, can you estimate how many individual wipes you used to make one knitted cloth?

Jodie @ The Haby Goddess said...

Cyn, I'm guessing at saying about one & a half - two cloths should do it.

Anonymous said...

I don't know how to knit but know how to crochet... do you think I can crochet these instead or do I have to learn knitting? (Although it may not be a bad idea to learn knitting now would it?) LOL

Anonymous said...

In Canada the dish cloth material was or still is called J clothes.I am both a knitter and a crocheter and would think either way would be fun to try.Thanks for the idea, can not wait to try these.

Unknown said...

When cutting dish clothes use linking shears looks a little different

Mamacobber said...

This is a cool idea. The pinking shears was a thought provoking way. Thanks everyone for the comments. It sure helps to read your interests. Going to try crochet and knitting ASAP.

Anonymous said...

I bought the heavy duty wipes and they look really nice. I'm going to use them as one of the stocking stuffers for Christmas. Such a great idea- thank you!

Lilly Marlay said...

Oh, these are so beautiful! Last week I crocheted some tulle dish scrubbers and they were so colorful too. Wash clothes are the perfect addition to my homemade cleaning solutions and that's why I'm in search of crochet and knit patterns for dish and wash cloths. Your great idea is going to be my weekend project for the next few weeks. Thank you for sharing this beauty!

kitwhoknits said...

Great idea but don't buy new ones. I love these cloths but I don't think they are biodegradable. I am going to use all the ones I relegated to the Rag Bag when they got a bit ratty looking and faded. Let's see how they look.