Answer
Free Beginner Knitting Patterns: Dishcloths and First Projects
A dishcloth is the classic first knitting project: a square of cotton in garter stitch, where you knit every row, teaches casting on, the knit stitch and binding off in one evening or two. Free beginner patterns are on Ravelry (filter by free and easy), AllFreeKnitting, Yarnspirations, Lion Brand and Craftuary, whose free Garter Stitch Dishcloth is 36 stitches by 72 rows with every count written out.
At a glance
| Where | What's there | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Craftuary Garter Stitch Dishclothours | An 8 x 8 in cotton dishcloth: cast on 36 stitches, knit every row for 72 rows (36 ridges), bind off. About 80 yd of worsted cotton on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles. | Your very first project |
| Craftuary Academy: Knitting 101ours | Free 3D lessons for the long-tail cast on, the knit stitch and binding off, the three skills the dishcloth uses, plus purl, increases and decreases. | Seeing each move from any angle |
| Ravelry | The largest searchable database of knitting and crochet patterns; search dishcloth and filter by free and difficulty. Needs a free account. | The widest choice |
| AllFreeKnitting | A large collection of free patterns gathered from designers, with a dishcloth category. | Browsing many free dishcloths |
| Yarnspirations | Free knitting and crochet patterns from its own yarn brands, many with downloadable PDFs. | Patterns written for one exact yarn |
| Lion Brand | Free knitting and crochet patterns, with a beginner collection. | Easy patterns sorted by level |
How to start
- Knit a garter stitch square. Knit every row. Count ridges, not rows: one ridge is two rows.
- Use worsted weight cotton. Cotton doesn't stretch much and holds up in the wash; a light colour shows your stitches.
- US 7 to 8 (4.5 to 5 mm) needles. The usual size for worsted cotton. The yarn label says which.
- Then try one new stitch. Once garter is easy, a seed stitch or basketweave dishcloth adds the purl stitch.
Questions
How many stitches do I cast on for a knitted dishcloth?
For an 8 in dishcloth in worsted cotton on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, cast on 36 stitches. For 7 in cast on 32; for 9 in, 40.
What yarn is best for a knitted dishcloth?
100% cotton in worsted weight. It absorbs water and survives hot washes; acrylic doesn't absorb well.
What is the easiest knitting pattern for a beginner?
A garter stitch square, such as a dishcloth: only the knit stitch, no shaping and no counting beyond the rows.
Site and brand names are used only to identify them; Craftuary is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@craftuary.com.
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