Knitted Washcloths

The trio of washcloths in this post are designed by Evelyn A. Clark. The patterns were published by Fiber Trends in a booklet called “Bathtime Blossoms.” They are worked flat, in short row wedges. Eight wedges to a cloth. I knitted mine in a discontinued Rowan “100% organic” cotton that’s been in my stash for about a dozen years: Fox Fibre. Size 3 needles. Clark calls the first one “Flowered Wreath.” Next is “Blossom.” The last one is “Scattered Flowers.” They are each a quick knit.

But why do I knit such things? I have no idea. They are not exactly mindless. They are not exactly useful. They are not exactly useless. They are just kind of pretty.

Yes, More Washcloths

img_2953_lowresEasy stuff.  Not much to say.  Just posted this batch to show off their colors and variety.  Five of them are all the same easy pattern:  Cast on a multiple of two.  Often 34 stitches, kitchen cotton (such as “Peaches ‘n Cream”), size seven needles.  Gauge doesn’t matter. Knit four garter stitch ridges (8 rows).  Keep four stitches at each edge in garter stitch (knitting every row).  In between do a double stitch seed stitch: knit 2, purl 2 across the center stitches.  Repeat that row.  Then switch to purl 2, knit 2 for two rows.  Keep alternately the double seed stitich rows.  When you are about 4 ridges shy of a square, knit 8 rows (4 garter stitch ridges) and bind off.  A very serviceable washcloth or dishcloth.

Mason-Dixon Washcloths Pattern

img_2949_lowresSometimes mindless knitting is just what is seriously needed.  On long car or plane trips it helps pass the time.  Sitting in waiting rooms becomes more tolerable.  Washcloths and dishcloths are often easy patterns.  You can finish them quickly and end up with something useful.  I made these in pairs, to equally use both balls of kitchen cotton.  The pattern is from Kay Gardner and Ann Meadow Shayne’s first book:  Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters Guide.  Their Mason-Dixon blog is lively.  Kay lives in Manhattan.  Ann lives in Nashville.  They basically write long, usually fiber-related letters back and forth to one another.  But you also get to know these two as people, which is definitely the chemistry of this blog and their books.  Simple knitting.