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Yarn art has a practical side to it. More than just frilly baby blankets and itchy Christmas sweaters, this craft can actually be used to produce useful and functional household goods. Dishcloths are an example of one such product that is fun and easy to make using either knitting patterns or crochet patterns.
Because these items can be personalized, they also make fabulous gifts for weddings, housewarming parties, or hostess gifts. Crafting crochet or knitted dishcloths is a great way to express your creativity, enlarge your supply of kitchenware, and enjoy your favorite hobby at the same time.
It is for these reasons that we at Craft & Stitch have created this guide. We want to give you the best information to make the process of yarn selection for this and any type of project as simple and easy as possible so you can straight to the fun part: crafting.
Best Yarn for Dishclothes Guide: The Process of Selection
If you are interested in trying to craft a yarn dishcloth, you may be wondering if certain types of yarn work better for this project than other types. The answer to this query is yes. Dishcloths are designed to work in a particular capacity in a kitchen so it is necessary to pick a yarn that will hold up to the type and amount of work expected from them. When looking for yarn to turn into a dishcloth, we need to look for the following features:
- Capacity to Hold Moisture – The yarn used to create a dishcloth should be able to soak in and hold some water.
- Color – This is a personal preference but since style is such an important factor in many homes, we should not overlook color.
- Durability – Dishcloths do a lot of hard work in the kitchen, then they are washed and dried in machines that can be hard on the material. We need to look for yarn that can hold up to all the wear and tear of a regular day in the kitchen as well as the process they must go through to be cleaned.
- Pricing – This does not need to be an expensive craft, especially when we consider how inexpensive store-bought dishcloths are. We need to find reasonably priced yarn that will still fill all our other yarn requirements.
- Workability – This refers to how easy it is to crochet or knit with the yarn. Some yarn fibers are tight and can be difficult to work with or can cause hand pain when they are used in projects.
Our Favorite Fibers
Now that we know what it is we should look for in dishcloth yarn, we can begin our search for the best skeins of yarn on the market. Here is a list of our favorite yarns and some of our favorite patterns as well.
Acrylic-Cotton Blend
Adding a little acrylic yarn alongside a cotton fiber will enhance the feel of the yarn. The yarn will also be a lot easier to crochet or knit and it should not cause as much hand pain as 100% cotton yarn.
Pros:
- Acrylic-Cotton Blend can be washed and dried in machines
- Acrylic-Cotton Blend can hold up to a lot of hard work
- Acrylic-Cotton Blend absorbs water easily
- Acrylic-Cotton Blend is less painful to work with
Cons:
- Acrylic-Cotton Blend can be pricey
Recommended Yarn:
Lion Brand Twisted Cotton Blend Yarn
Recommended Patterns:
My Dishcloth Pattern by Woods and Wool (Crochet)
Woven Lines Dishcloth (Knit)
Cotton
Cotton is considered the best fiber to use in crafting a dishcloth since it is very durable, capable of holding moisture, and comes in a wide variety of colors.
Pros:
- Cotton can be washed and dried in machines
- Cotton can hold up to a lot of hard work
- Cotton yarn is available in many different colors
- Cotton absorbs water easily
Cons:
- Cotton yarn can be pricey
- Cotton yarn can cause hand pain when used in yarn art such as crocheting or knitting
Recommended Yarn:
Recommended Dishcloth Patterns:
Waffle Crochet Spa Washcloth (Crochet)
Beaded Ribs Dishcloth (Knit)
Recycled Fabric Yarn
If you are conscientious about keeping waste down and protecting the environment around you, consider making your own fabric yarn. This type of yarn will allow you to refocus on what you really need in life and it will cause you to think hard before throwing pieces of fabric into a rubbish bin or purchasing convenient, but ultimately unsustainable, items.
Growing every part of your life into a focused, conscientious, sustainable, and celebratory experience is what crafting is all about. So, if you would like to go further in your efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle, consider crafting your own yarn rope using this method:
- Gather your supplies (listed below)
- Knot two pieces of fabric together
- Twist the two pieces of fabric tightly around each other
- Join new pieces of fabric by twisting them into the yarn rope
- Keep twisting until you have reached the length your prefer
For a visual aid on how to create a yarn rope from leftover fabric, visit this blog article.
Supplies List:
- Scrap fabric that is 1” at its widest
- Scissors
- Something to wind the yarn rope around (cardboard spools will work)
Pros:
- Recycled Fabric Yarn reduces waste
- Recycled Fabric Yarn can provide a fun project for your family to participate in
- Recycled Fabric Yarn can be made from all types of fabric
- Recycled Fabric Yarn is fun and colorful
Cons:
- Recycled Fabric Yarn takes time to twist and wind
- Recycled Fabric Yarn can cause hand pain while crocheting or knitting
Recommended Dishcloth Pattern:
Seeing Spirals Washcloth (Crochet)
Texturama! Dishcloth (Knit)
Scrubber Cotton
To give your dishcloths a little more texture and empower them to deal with grimy messes, use a scrubber yarn made from cotton. The yarn will have all the positive attributes of a cotton dishcloth but with some extra scrubbing power from the textured fibers.
Pros:
- Scrubber Cotton Yarn comes in multiple colors
- Scrubber Cotton Yarn can hold up to a lot of hard work
- Scrubber Cotton Yarn absorbs water easily
- Scrubber Cotton Yarn can be machine washed and dried
Cons:
- Scrubber Cotton Yarn can cause hand pain while crocheting or knitting
Recommended Product:
Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Scrub Off Yarn
Recommended Dishcloth Patterns:
C2C Moss Stitch Dishcloth (Crochet)
Horizontal Wrapped Stitch Dishcloth (Knit)
Scrubber Yarn
Why not make a dishcloth that is all about scrubbing? This is not another scrubber cotton yarn; this yarn is all about the scrubbing feature. It may not create the ultimate dishcloth, but it will certainly be helpful in the kitchen.
Pros:
- Scrubber Yarn has an excellent texture to use when cleaning food messes
- Scrubber Yarn can be washed in a machine
- Scrubber Yarn comes in a wide variety of colors
Cons:
- Scrubber Yarn does not hold moisture well
- Scrubber Yarn can be difficult to crochet or knit with since it is so thin and it has an odd texture
- Scrubber Yarn can cause hand pain while crocheting or knitting
Recommended Product:
SCYarn for Scrubbies & Dishcloths
Recommended Dishcloth Patterns:
Red Heart Splash of Citrus Scrubby (Crochet)
Red Heart Tomato Scrubby (Knit)
Soy-Cotton Blend
This is the type of yarn you should use if you want something environmentally friendly but you are not keen on making your own yarn. With this yarn, your dishcloths will feel soft and look luxurious.
Pros:
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn comes in multiple colors
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn can hold up to a lot of hard work
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn absorbs water easily
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn can be machine washed
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn will not cause as much hand pain as 100% cotton yarn
Cons:
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn can be expensive
- Soy-Cotton Blend Yarn can be difficult to find
Recommended Product:
Recommended Dishcloth Patterns:
Diagonal Dishcloth (Crochet)
Seed Stitch Checks Dishcloth (Knit)
Weaving In the Ends
Crafting dishcloths is a fun and creative project that anyone can take up. If you are just now learning how to knit or crochet, these are some of the best projects to practice on. They are easy, simple, and they produce a useful product. They offer you the chance to express your style with their ability to be crafted in various colors, textures, and patterns. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to craft and create functionally.
When I make dishcloths, I like to get several complimentary colors from the same brand and use them with different crochet patterns. In this way, I can make a set of kitchen dishcloths that looks stylish and is unique to me. My favorite yarn to use when I crochet dishtowels is an Acrylic-Cotton Blend such as Lion Brand Twisted Cotton Blend Yarn. This is because it provides all the positive aspects of cotton but is a little kinder to my hands as I work through the project.
I hope this guide has helped to answer your questions about crafting a dishcloth or a set of dishcloths in the future. Remember, this yarn art is all about you; it offers you the ability to design and create an item that you love and that will look great in your home. You are going to have so much fun making these dishcloths. Happy Crafting!
FAQs
Question: If Cotton or Cotton-Blends are the Best Types of Yarn for Dishcloths, What is the Worst?
Question: Should I Purchase Yarn Online or In a Store?
In-Store Shopping Benefits:
• It provides you with the opportunity to feel the texture of the yarn
• It provides you with the opportunity to compare and contrast yarn fibers and colors
• It provides you with the opportunity to get skeins from the same color lot
• It provides you with the opportunity to take home the yarn the same day you purchase it
Online Shopping Benefits:
• It provides you with easy and organized access to hundreds of yarn brands, colors, and fibers
• It provides you with access to rare yarn fibers
• It provides you with customer reviews and project ideas
• It provides you with better access to small businesses and ethically sourced materials
Question: What Are Some Good Online Stores for Purchasing Yarn?
• Knit Picks
• LoveCrafts
• We are knitters
• WEBS: America’s Yarn Store
If you would like more information about shopping for yarn online, browse these articles from our Craft & Stitch community:
• Best Places to Buy Online Yarn
• Darn Good Yarn Review
Question: How Often Should Dishcloths be Washed?
Question: Where Can I Find Patterns for Dishcloths?
The Funky Stitch
If you like to crochet and are looking for a large variety of dishcloth patterns to keep your fingers nimble and busy, look no further than this wonderful website. There are so many patterns on it, you won’t know where to begin. But, is that really a bad thing?
All Free Knitting
If knitting is more your style, then head on over to All Free Knitting for some really cute and easy dishcloth patterns. The cool and easy options available here will inspire you to knit up a plethora of dishcloths for all your friends and family. Don’t forget to make a few for yourself.
Research Citations
For more interesting guides, check the links below: