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Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth Knitting Pattern is a simple beginner knitting pattern. You’ll want to make a whole drawer full of these knitted dishcloths!
Years ago, when I first started knitting, I looked for a beginning knitter pattern to help me learn how to knit.
I visited a quaint little yarn shop in a nearby town, and came home with a bag full of wool yarn, an easy knitting pattern for a basic scarf, and some metal knitting needles.
I worked on that scarf through the long winter months, and was so thrilled when my very first knitting project was complete!
The next knitting project I attempted was these dishcloths. And the result was so satisfying!
I had received a couple of these classic dishcloths for Christmas from my husband’s grandmother. I found them to be so great for washing dishes, and I wanted more of them!
After a few years of getting handmade knitted dishcloths from other people, I decided it was time to learn how to knit them myself.
The Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth knitting pattern is so easy and fun to make. Once I finish one I cast on another one!
I like the fact that I can do these pretty mindlessly, and for a beginning knitter they are easy to learn and practice knitting with.
Be sure to watch the instruction video below if you need help learning how to knit!
Learn to Knit Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth
This pattern is commonly known as “Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth,” and it’s a simple, classic pattern.
No one is certain who created this pattern originally, as it’s been around for many years, handed down through the generations.
You can give your dishcloths a completely different look just by changing the yarn you use. Use a multi-colored yarn for a fun and cheerful look, or choose a solid color cotton yarn if you’re craving something a bit more classic.
Even though I love all the brightly-colored dishcloths I’ve made, my favorites are the more muted and classic-looking solid colors.
They also make great gifts! I love making these and pairing them with homemade soap, homemade soy candles, or a jar of body scrub in a basket.
You can also make this same pattern in a coaster size! See this post: Easy Knitted Coasters Pattern
And, you can also make a kitchen towel with a few adjustments to this basic pattern: Grandmother’s Favorite Kitchen Towel Knitting Pattern
Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth Pattern
I wanted to share this amazingly easy to knit dishcloth pattern here in case someone else is looking for it!
Affiliate links included below. Read my disclosure here.
Pattern Supplies and Instructions
Materials:
(my current favorite is Instructions:
k2Tog – Knit 2 Together, which decreases
That’s it! Enjoy making this simple and useful pattern for yourself or to share with others!
Related Posts:
- Easy Knitted Coasters Pattern
- Grandmother’s Favorite Kitchen Towel Knitting Pattern
- Knitting More Dishcloths
- Knitting and Reading (Bunnies!)
- Knit Pumpkin
- Handmade Baby (Knit Earflap Hat)
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. Sharing here.
Hi Ms. Joy!
I am a younger knitter (meaning age, as I have been knitting for a few years now) and have made this washcloth pattern many times! I was wondering if there was a way to make both ends look the same. When I start off, the first side looks rounded but at the end that you cast off at is all triangular. I love this pattern, but if I give them away I always feel like I have to apologize for the different shaped ends. I would really appreciate if any one has the answer as I can’d find how to fix it on the internet. 🙁
Hi Mar! If you block your dishcloth after knitting, that should help some. If you do a google search for how to block knitting, that might give you some ideas. Hope that helps!
I wonder if you do want to do the yarn over can you do another way to increase like make 1 stitch or knit front and back in same stitch?
I’ve never tried altering the pattern at all, so I’m not sure. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Hi Joy – I am so glad to hear that I am not alone for being a tight knitter. That was the way my Gram taught me over 60 years ago and believe it or not, I too have the original knitting needles that she taught me on and they are also a size 9.
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern. I belong to a group called KnitWits and this will be a great pattern to share with our new knitters.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays.
I hope your knitting group enjoys the pattern, Kathi! And Happy Holidays to you!
I LOVE this pattern! so quick and easy. My favorite yarn is Hobby Lobby’s “Love this Cotton” it is much softer than others I have used. It will also work with 2 strands of 10 weight crochet cotton. Have even done it in the scrubby yarn. I have a drawer full 🙂
So glad you’re enjoying it too! Thanks so much for sharing about the yarn you use! I love the idea of using the scrubby yarn.
Hi. Lovely pattern I just made my first cloth. If I wanted to make a smaller cloth would I just not knit up to 45 stitches. Would it work the same if I just did 20 or 30 k you
I’m not sure. I’ve never altered the pattern before. If you decide to try it, I’d love to know how it turns out!
How many washcloths can I make with one skein of yarn?
It depends on the size of the skein, how tight you knit, etc. Some of the Sugar ‘n Cream yarn is 2.5 oz, and some is just 2 oz. The striped Ombre yarn (which is mostly what I’ve used so far) is just 2 oz., and I can get *almost* 2 dishcloths out of it. On the second dishcloth I can get a little over 3/4 done (maybe more) before I need to tie on some more yarn from another skein. With the 2.5 oz skeins you might could get two complete dishcloths out of that one skein. Hope that helps!
I use a size 6 knitting needle and like the size of the finished cloth but I would like a looser stitch without becoming to big. You use a size 9?
Yes, I do use a size 9, but I tend to knit tighter in general, so maybe that makes a difference.
Hello! I have been making these dishcloth up until menopause, 5 years ago, then I started having respiratory discomfort from the cotton fibers and possibly the dye or chemical that is used to process. This and many others things have had to come to a stop because of my intolerances and sensitives to almost everything. It has been difficult but I recently tried Quince and Co Sparrow organic linen and I am making the Warm Springs bath mitt by Elizabeth Doherty. You can purchase her pattern on Ravelry. I seem to be tolerating this fabric with very little discomfort. It is also a good beginner’s pattern when you gain the confidence to learn a new stitch. My question is: Are your dishcloths loose when wet? I gave my sister two which I knitted with a size 6 needle and she said she did not like them as they were too bulky for her. I like them myself, I tried a size 7 needle and thought they became too large in size. What does yours measure when completed? Thanks!
Hi Kathleen! Thanks for sharing about the linen yarn and pattern. My dishcloths tend to get a bit tighter and shrink up after washing (because of the cotton yarn), but the finished size of an unwashed cloth is about 9″ x 9″. And yes, I do use a size 9 needle. That was the only size I had when I got started making this pattern years ago, and I’ve just continued to use that size (I still use those same needles, years later!). I do tend to be a tighter knitter, though, so maybe that makes a difference.
I am a beginner knitter and this pattern has really helped me become a better knitter. Would love to step up my game with another of your patterns.
So glad it’s been helpful, Sallie!
Hello,
I am trying my hand at these, and was wondering how you get the edging like that, or if thats something that happens as you are making the dish cloth?
Thank you!
Hi Rebecca! Yes, the edging is part of the pattern, so it will just form naturally as you knit it. Hope you enjoy making them!