Learn how to knit a farmhouse kitchen dishcloth with this simple, beginner pattern commonly known as Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth.
All right friends, it’s time again for another instalment of our cozy living series, hosted by my friend Jennifer at Town & Country Living. I always look forward to seeing the cozy inspiration that everyone has to share each month!
Fall comes early for us here in Northern Alberta, this year even more so. The crisp, cool Fall air has been creeping in for weeks now, changing our leaves all those lovely Fall colours and coaxing us to pull out all of our coziest sweaters and blankets.
With Fall rolling, I’ve got to say, I’m craving all the cozy lately… and really, what could be cozier than curling up on the couch with a pair of knitting needles working away in your lap?
Especially when they’re knitting up such a simple & nostalgic little project.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s Grandma knitted up stacks of dishcloths for anyone and everyone. Not only were they pretty, but even better, they were so practical and useful.
It’s been years now since my Gran has knitted up a stack, but I still find myself thinking about them every once in a while. Even after all these years, they still top my list of favourites.
And so, I dug out that old knitting pattern for the perfect little dishcloth, the one that every knitter seems to know – commonly known as Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth, the pattern has been passed down through generations, nobody really knowing the original source.
Because of its simplicity, this is one of those patterns you can just mindlessly knit without having to pay much attention at all once you get those needles moving. It’s truly the perfect dishcloth pattern for even the most inexperienced knitter and I promise that once you try one, you’ll be knitting up your own stacks too!
Learn to Knit Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth
What you’ll need:
A pair of size 4 knitting needles and your favourite yarn.
Instructions:
Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: knit 4
Row 2: k2, yo, k to end of row
*Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on your needle
Row 3: k1, k2Tog, yo, k2Tog, k to end of row
*Repeat Row 3, decreasing each row until you have 5 stitches left on your needle
Row 4: k2, k2Tog, k1
Bind off the last 4 stitches.
Notes:
K – knit
YO – yarn over to increase
k2Tog – knit 2 stitches together to decrease
If you’re new to knitting, I’ve broken everything down, step-by-step in the video below:
You might also want to check out these other simple knitting tutorials:
Now, don’t forget to check out the other cozy living ideas below:
Why Fall is Best Season to Enjoy Gardens / Roasted Summer Squash with Orzo / How to Press Flowers in Microwave / How to Hang Onto Summer
September in the City / How to Knit Kitchen Dish Cloth / Fall Dining Table
Wishing you SUCH a lovely weekend!
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Beautiful, I wish I knew how to knit. I can crochet but I never had my mom teach me to knit. Now you have me longing to learn!
Thanks so much Dawn! I’ve always wanted to try crocheting! Knitting is such an easy thing to pick up, especially for a simple project like this. If you check out the video, I walk you through every step. Let me know if you do give it a try, I’d love to see how it goes for you.
I have never knitted a thing but have a We Are Knitters package waiting for me to tackle! Oh, and I’ve been putting this project off for YEARS so I’ll be coming back (hopefully soon!) to watch your knitting primer video! Love those cozy Grandma knitted dish cloths! 🙂
That’s great Linda! I tackled my first We Are Knitters package in the Spring and couldn’t believe how simple it made such a big project feel. Happy knitting!
These are so beautiful! LOVE them. I wish I could knit. My mother in law in England showed me but I was only ever able to knit and then forgot how to perl. This is such a lovely tradition to share.
I’d forgotten some of those basics over the years too, but there are some great beginner tutorials on YouTube to walk you through things again if you need. Thanks so much Danielle!
How many cloths can you get from 1 skein of yarn? I am working on a cardigan for myself right now but this would be a good football game project! I’ve been wanting to knit some wash cloths and dish cloths.
It definitely depends on the yarn and needle size you’re using, but I usually get about 4 or 5 dishcloths from each skein. Happy knitting!
It’s been many many years since I knit anything, but you have me wanting to pick up the needles again just to make these dish cloths! I love the colors you chose, too. Thanks for the instructions!!
That’s great Jennifer! So happy you’re feeling inspired! Thanks so much!
Wow, they’re so pretty and cozy! Love the colors and nuances you went with. You’re crazy talented for knitting and the instructions you gave are so useful and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing this, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog post!
Thanks so much Katrina!
These are THE best dish cloths! My mother used to buy them from a local knitter for me and my sister when we were first married. I need to dig out my knitting needles and give this a try, because I don’t have any left! Thanks so much for sharing the pattern and the memories!
They’ve long been a favourite around here too! Thanks so much Doreen!
Learned this pattern from my mom and although so simple a pattern, your instructions topped my search much better than you tube! Thank-you so very much in restarting my mojo to knit again ! Not only does knitting help ease anxiety, but it has created little accomplishments that mean so much <3
Oh Jess, I’m SO happy to hear that this left you feeling inspired to pick up those knitting needles again! You’re absolutely right – knitting is a great way to relax and unwind and finishing up a project always brings a great sense of accomplishment. Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words!
Hi Kristi, I’m a new knitter and very confused about knitting needle sizes. I only have 2 sets – one says 9 and the other says 10mm. I started a dish cloth but I don’t think the needle size was working out. Your instructions say size 4 so that’s probably the problem. I don’t understand why my wooden set is in mm and my metal one just have a number nine. Can you help me understand?
Oh, I’m so glad you thought to reach out Robin! Knitting needles come in “sizes” that also correspond to measurements in mm. So, your size 9 would measure 5.5mm and your 10mm means the same as size 15. The size 4 I used measures 3.5mm, so closest to your size 9, though your size 9 is slightly larger, which means it will create a looser knit. Here’s a handy chart to help you compare the sizes and measurements: https://sheepandstitch.com/library/knitting-needle-sizes-conversion-chart/. I hope this helps, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions or need further clarification.
What kind of yarn do you prefer for making these? I was thinking a cotton would be better, but I’m wondering what you use.
Yes, cotton is what I like to use too – it’s easiest to wash up and wears really well.
What are the names of the colors you used in this post?
The yarn is from We Are Knitters (https://www.weareknitters.ca/en/skeins-and-needles/skeins/the-pima-cotton) and the colours I used are Natural, Salmon and Beige.
I love the cotton yarn you used for the dish clothes. Do you put them in the washer and dryer?
I’m so happy you love them Sheri! Yes, I wash and dry them in a load with my towels usually.
What size needle are you using for the grandma dish clothes. I can not find a size u.s. 4. Ty so much.
US size 4 is 3.5mm. Hope this helps!
I have made these for years as gifts and personal use none better
I couldn’t agree more! LOVE giving these little dishcloths as gifts!
Well you have inspired me via your YouTube Video that I loved watching. You really explain everything so well. I have never knit and am looking forward to giving it a try. Newly retired:)
What project would you use acrylic yarn for?
I love the video and had one little question…. It appears that there is a cute border you put on after knitting the dishcloth, can you give some pointers on that? Is it knit also or crocheted? Thank you so much for the wonderful video and pattern.
Thanks so much Danielle! The border actually comes out in the pattern, so no need to do anything extra to add it. Just follow the pattern and it will show up. 🙂 Happy knitting!
I absolutely love this pattern. I’ve just made 2. I am very, very much a beginner knitter, although I’ve known how to knit for over 40 years. Living in the tropics, I can’t put knitting to good use . . . Until now 😊. Just one question, because I know there may be an explanation. The pattern does say to decrease until 5 stitches remaining, and the final row says to round off the final four stitches. However after decreasing to 5 stitches and then completing the next row, I found I only had 2 stitches remaining. On my second cloth, I decreased until 6 stitches and worked it that way. Is there something I am missing? As I said, I’m a novice when it comes to knitting.
I just started knitting and this was my first completed project! I was hoping you might be able to answer a question….if I wanted to make this pattern into a dish towel do I just keep increasing?
How exciting! Welcome to the club Jessica! This pattern will always make a square shape as a finished product, so as long as you are okay with a square dish towel, this will absolutely work – simply increase it until you reach your desired size. There are many other beautiful patterns for towels out there though too that would take some of the guesswork out of the sizing, so I’d definitely recommend exploring some of those too now that you know the different stitches. Hope this helps! Happy knitting!
Hi Kristi, this was a great pattern as there was NO PURLING!!!! Your instructions were clear and easy to follow for a beginner knitter. My grandma taught me to crochet when I was 6 but recently I felt I should try knitting. You Tube has been a great source of wonderful tutorials. Thank you for your time and effort you put into you blog. I look forward to trying many of your patterns.
I wish you well.
Lynn
Hi Lynn! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this! I’m so happy you enjoyed this pattern and found it easy to follow along with. Happy knitting!!!