Back, long before our time if you wanted a washcloth (flannel, face-washer, dishcloth) you would knit one, or have one knitted for you. School children knitted face-washers for the war effort, along with socks and scarves; all, I imagine in army green or navy blue cotton or linen.
Earlier this year I sent my children to a beginners knitting class in the city. I had tried to teach them to knit but I knew this would end in arguments so I decided to outsource to a professional – a lovely 19 year old who didn’t know what she was in for.
After the class we were discussing the best sorts of ‘first projects’ that beginner knitters should tackle. Traditionally beginners start with a scarf but they require considerable commitment to finish to the required length, usually more commitment than a beginner has. Beginners would be better advised, the instructor said, to knit a washcloth. These 20cm square projects are quick, easy and can be used immediately no matter the weather.
Today when it is easy to purchase cotton towelling or synthetic washcloths in bulk it seems a quaint out-of-date practice to knit them yourself, and yet people still do. Type “knitted washcloths” into Google and you will get thousands of links to patterns and photographs of completed projects.
I decided to buy some cotton yarn and give hand-knitted washcloths a go.
Earlier this year I sent my children to a beginners knitting class in the city. I had tried to teach them to knit but I knew this would end in arguments so I decided to outsource to a professional – a lovely 19 year old who didn’t know what she was in for.
After the class we were discussing the best sorts of ‘first projects’ that beginner knitters should tackle. Traditionally beginners start with a scarf but they require considerable commitment to finish to the required length, usually more commitment than a beginner has. Beginners would be better advised, the instructor said, to knit a washcloth. These 20cm square projects are quick, easy and can be used immediately no matter the weather.
Today when it is easy to purchase cotton towelling or synthetic washcloths in bulk it seems a quaint out-of-date practice to knit them yourself, and yet people still do. Type “knitted washcloths” into Google and you will get thousands of links to patterns and photographs of completed projects.
I decided to buy some cotton yarn and give hand-knitted washcloths a go.
This is a simple pattern called, appropriately, Grandmother's Favourite. I found the pattern here and it is so simple to knit.
My husband thinks I’m kooky but I love these. I knit while watching TV. Each washcloth takes me two or three tv shows to knit and I find they are excellent for scrubbing my face in the shower.
They also make excellent gifts.
If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying project that won’t sit around unused, knit a washcloth. Cotton is inexpensive so these should cost about $1 - $3 each to make so is a great option for the thrifty among us.
Oh, and if you’re not interested in using one as a face-washer – apparently they are excellent for scrubbing glassware.
Anyone else out there knitting washcloths? Did you have knitted washcloths as a child? Do you think this is a skill that belongs before our time? Tell us your story in the comments section.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: WASHCLOTH GIVEAWAY!
We will draw a comment by random to receive their own hand-knitted Pink Ribbon 100% Indian cotton washcloth to try (see pic at left). The lucky prizewinner will be drawn out of a hat on Friday 24th October*. Good luck! Please also take time to visit the official Breast Cancer website here to see how you can help.
* Winner's name will be posted to the sidebar
24 comments:
I actually own a couple of hand-knitted washcloths now, purchased from a local craft bazaar. They are excellent face scrubbers and get the inside of glasses quite clean as well.
I don't remember having any as a child.... my mother can sew a button on a shirt and that's about it. Both of my grandmothers sewed and quilted but did not knit.
That was me above. Stupid computer sharing.
Knitting washcloths look like a project even I could manage. (Although do they make 12ply cotton?)
I have made pot holders so I don't know why I've never knitted a washcloth. I love the way they look!
I never thought about a knitted face washer before but what a great idea. My ideal attention span...forget the kids!
I remember knitting dishcloths as a child in the late 40's but they were very plain and drab things. These "new" ones have really stirred up the creative juices and I know what all my friends will now be getting for Christmas!!!
Do you know, I have never seen knitted washcloths before? I grew up with washcloths that had been hemmed and made from expired towels. or towels that had worn out, or even lots of little bits of towels that had been sewed together on Lena. Never knityted ones, the first time I saw one was in the blogging world! (I didn;t know I had led a sheltered life)
why yes! actually, I just bought some from the lovely Nicole who is making them and they are beaut! I would like to try making them myself, as a beginner knitter, so next time I will try it. Have a look at her lovely ones: go to: http://nicolestudio.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html
and scroll down to Sunday Sept 21st. You can see the ones she made for me on a recent post on my blog. This blog is really quirky - I love it!
I've knitted two now, but I'd never heard of them prior to blogging! I've been favouring the basket-weave stitch and am wondering if my family and friends would thank me if I doled them out as presents!
I think your pink ribbon one is divine, by the way :-) (pick me, pick me)
Good idea. I will leave the knitting to trusty MOF as sewing is more my forte.
Hello lovely Ms M and the new to me Ms Alison .... what a wonderful site you have ...
I wish I could knit - I have done the scraf and managed to make one for my teddy when I was ten and that was it ! shame really ...
Maybe with the new non work me in place soon I might find the time - after I finish my photos and sort the spare room....
I too adore the face cloth in all it's pinkness ... I fear washers are a dying tradition - when I travel now I take my own as some of the more regional / less stars properties seem to by by passing them all together ... shame.
Cheers for now le
thank you Megan for the link you left on my blog :o)
when i was a child my nanna & grandma crocheted & knitted wash cloths, some were made into animals with a pocket to put the soap in & a button to close.
i am a beginner knitter but i am keen to try your pattern. i am also keen to find some crochet patterns, knitting is so slow & crochet works up so very fast.
hey thanks for the link to the knitting..
my mum sorta kinda taught me to knit... sorta kinda got mad at one another too.. LOL might have to get me some proper lessons and soon..
this is the first time I have been to your blog, got your link from my travels in the blogisphere!
You know I never thought to knit washcloths, maybe even I could manage those!
My Mum makes these, though she's never given any to me. I suspect she thinks I could make my own and I probably could - but I'd prefer to win one! Especially a nice pink ribbon one!!
Gosh I can remember knitting these with Mum's leftovers ... but of course mine didn't have such lovely intricate knitting - never been a good knitter - crochet got to be my thing of choice ... please include me in your draw ... thanking you ... OOroo ... Bethel of Bethania
Finally, blogger seems to be working - slowly, but working!
I taught myself to crochet off some directions I downloaded from the web and bought some knitting needles to try my first wash cloth some time ago. You've given me some much needed inspiration again!
Coming from a long line of knitters and having been at it myself for 30 odd years, you would think I would be au fait with knitted wash cloths.
Not so - I had never seen them before entering the blogosphere.
I am determined to have a go at some (using some of those stitch patterns in 400 stitches). Its on my ever expanding knitting to do list.
Rhonda Jean at Down-to-earth has posts about knitted dishclothes.
I have tried to knit, I start off with 38 stiches end up with 42 and the darn thing is full of holes where I,ve dropped some aghhhhhhh.
Given up I have, so I'might have a look at nicloestudios and see if I can buy some..........
I have a 17 year old friend who gives knitting lessons, and I've been thinking about trying to learn. I like your idea about starting small. I had been thinking about a scarf, but like your idea of washcloth better. Thanks.
I was thrilled to find these when I started blogging. I have been making them for years as my grandmother always knitted them, and taught me how to. Now I don't have to be embarrrassed by what I thought was a quaint, anachronistic little exercise.
I am off to buy some more cotton today and I am going to make some pink ones for friends for facecloths for Christmas.
But I would love to win the gorgeous pink ribbon one.
daisymum
Well you know I don't need the pink one.
Since I have a box of beautiful ones of my own - which I still can't bear to use!
I am not new to knitting. Been knitting since I was a child. I am new to knitting washcloths and I have knitted four thus far. I love this project. It goes fast and give near immediate joy. I gave one as a house gift when I visited a friend last week. They are so beatiful and I'm going to use the one I finished last night in the shower.
Hi, I love to knit facewashers but I am finding alot of the patterns are american and use 10ply cotton. I noticed you knitted yours in cotton - can I ask was it 4ply or 8ply and do you recall the needle size?
The link to the original pattern is broken but I have a similar pattern to the one you have that my mum found in a That's Life magazine. I've no progressed on to the picture face washers like your cause ribbon one - they are so much fun.
With thanks
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