Knitch Magazine

Title: Knitting More Than A Dozen Dishcloths

Author: Lisa Carnahan

Date Published: 2010

Review Date: July 31, 2010

Who is this book for?

Knitting More Than a Dozen Dishcloths encourages knitters to learn 16 new stitches as they knit cheery dishcloths. The stitches are simple, and each can be completed in just a 1 or 2 hours’ time with a single ball of yarn. These portable projects are perfect for filling the “dead” times, be it waiting in the car, at appointments, or during kids’ practice sessions. Stay calm and maintain your patience as you reel off row after row on your daily commute or while waiting for the kids to practice their musical scales and run ball drills.

What Yarn Does it Feature?

Every dishcloth is knitted using Peaches & Crème from Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., located in Old Fort, North Carolina. A worsted weight 100% 4-ply cotton yarn, Peaches & Crème is available in 49 solid colors and 75 ombres. And you thought no one was knitting dishcloths!

Of course, you can substitute any medium weight cotton yarn for the patterns in this book. Before you do that, consider the manufacturer’s motto, as published on the home page of Peaches & Crème, "The Bitterness of Poor Quality Lingers Long After The Sweetness of a Cheap Price is Forgotten." This is a company dedicated to quality, who asserts, “Our sole mission is to produce the highest quality craft and specialty yarns. As one of the last surviving American textile mills we have to be nimble in providing service, often shipping orders on the same day we receive them. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show you our high quality yarns and for supporting American jobs.”

What's Inside

The 16 patterns in this book are all easy, and one is so easy it is rated “beginner.” That said, there are interesting combinations of knit and purl, eyelet and simple lace patterns, diagonal and travelling stitches, increases, decreases, passed and slipped stitch patterns, and mock cables. A beginner will learn many useful skills and more advance knitters will still find the patterns interesting.

Using It

Like many publishers, Annie’s Attic follows a standard format for presenting the patterns in every book. The patterns are presented in a two-page spread, with a nearly full size color photograph flanked by the clearly written instructions. The font is large enough to read without having to drop your knitting in order to pick up and squint at the pattern. The editors also make good use of color, having chosen appealing shades nicely rendered in full color photography. The technical information headings are displayed in matching ink. So, a pattern called “purple passion” is photographed in deep royal purple, with the headings in grape colored purple ink. “Citrus Stripes” is knit up in juicy orange complemented by orangeade ink. These touches reflect a fine eye for detail and result in a well-crafted book that is pleasing to read and use.

Best Pattern (or Best Advice)

The best advice in Knitting More Than a Dozen Dishcloths is simply to knit dishcloths. They can be a knitter’s best friend: they’re quick, easy and satisfying to complete. If you're stuck in a rut and can’t get motivated to knit because you’re tired of socks, cables, and sleeves, try a quick to finish dishcloth. I predict knitting dishcloths will give you a boost and renewed interest in your craft. Hand knit dishcloths are a little luxury that’s always a welcome gift, too. A very chic friend recently revealed her secret stash of cotton dishcloths – a kitchen drawer filled with colorful soft cloths in all kinds of patterns. She was not at all embarrassed to admit, “I love these things.” Though humble, dishcloths are absorbent, soft, and long lived, getting softer with every laundry cycle. They save the earth by reducing the number of paper towels we use. The natural cotton fiber can be recycled. Before you dismiss dishcloths as not worth your time, buy a single ball of yarn and try knitting one. Before you know it, you’ll be knitting spa cloths, bar cloths, towels, back scrubbers, and covers for your Swiffer®.

Recommendation

Sure, there are lots of free patterns available to download and almost every yarn company puts patterns on the ball bands or on their website, but this book has a lot to recommend it. It’s worth the small cost ($7.95) to have 16 good patterns at your fingertips. First, all but two of the patterns are accompanied by a chart. If you have never learned to knit from charts, here is a simple way to free yourself from the drudgery of reading line by line instructions. There are lots of reasons to recommend knitting from charts – try this book out and learn chart reading using simple patterns with no shaping. Before you know it, you will have added a new skill set to your knitting repertoire. The color photographs help you visualize how the pattern will look so that you can anticipate how changes in color or substitution of printed or striped yarns may appear.

Overall Recommendation

I rate this book #8. If you don’t buy it for yourself, pick up a copy with a ball of brightly colored yarn and a pair of needles and teach someone to knit! You couldn’t give a more lasting gift.