Hearts: the symbol of love. I love hearts, and I love love! I’ve designed this simple heart dishcloth for your enjoyment, and in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself or a friend with a special dishcloth for this Valentine’s Day! (Or, really any day!)
Note: A downloadable, printable PDF version of this pattern is available for $1.50 - $2.00 (USD) on Ravelry, Payhip, and LoveCrafts. This version also includes definitions for each of the abbreviations, and the pattern is laid out more in a list form than a paragraph form. (Or, get the download sent to your email for free here!)
Lovely Heart Dishcloth - Free Pattern
Note: This blog will not be updated if there are any changes to the pattern. If you are interested in the most recent version of the pattern, please reference one of the PDF download options above. Paid or free, the download will include the most recent version, with both charted and written instructions.
This pattern is an easy level pattern, and it is available in a small size and a large size. As you scroll through this page, you will see that the red dishcloth in the photos is the small size, and the pink and white dishcloth in the photos is the large size. The small size creates a 9" x 9" (23 cm x 23 cm), while the large size creates a 12" x 14" (30 cm x 36 cm) rectangle.
To knit this pattern you will need: worsted weight yarn (cotton is most commonly recommended for dishcloths), knitting needles, and a darning needle. This is not a beginner pattern, so you will also want a working knowledge of the basic techniques of knitting and purling. Do not worry if this is your first time knitting stitches together or creating a lace motif -- this is a great pattern to learn those techniques!
Note: If you are interested in some color and/or yarn recommendations for your Lovely Heart Dishcloth, be sure to read my Lovely Heart Dishcloth: Color & Yarn Recommendations post!
This pattern is worked flat, so you can choose if you wish to knit with straight needles or circular needles. You will want needles approximately 9" long for the small size and 12" long for the large size. The amount of yarn that you need to knit this pattern is dependent on the size that you choose to knit -- you'll need about 60 yards / 35 grams of yarn for the small size and 85 yards / 75 grams of yarn for the large size.
If you wish to modify the size of your dishcloth, you can easily do so. To increase the width of the dishcloth, just cast on an extra multiple of 12. For every multiple of 12 that you add to the dishcloth, you will add one more heart to the width of the dishcloth. To increase the length of your dishcloth, just knit additional repeats of the heart motif.
Instructions
To start, you will cast on 33 stitches (for the small size) or 45 stitches (for the large size) using a long-tail cast on method.
The beginning of the dishcloth (which is actually the bottom of the dishcloth) will begin with a seed stitch section. To work seed stitch you will just work (K1, P1) to the end of the row, ending with a K1. You will work 4 rows of the seed stitch pattern for the small version and 6 rows of the seed stitch pattern for the large version.
We have now made it to the hearts section! This section consists of a 10-row repeat, but all of the even rows are exactly the same (these are the wrong-side rows). As you work, don't forget to work the even rows! For the small version, you will repeat this section for 4 repeats, which is the equivalent of 40 rows. For the large version, you will repeat this section for 7 repeats, which is the equivalent of 70 rows. You will also notice that the stitch count varies for each right-side row, so don't be concerned when you realize you have more or less stitches on your needles!
The 10-row repeat is as follows:
Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *YO, K2tog, K3, YO, K1, YO, K3, SKP, YO, K1; repeat from * to last 4 sts, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 2 (and all even rows): K1, P1, K1, P to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1
Row 3: K1, P1, K1, P1, K2, *YO, K4tog, YO, K3; repeat from * to last 10 sts, YO, K4tog, YO, K2, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 5: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *K1, K2tog, YO, K5, YO, SKP, K2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 7: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *K2tog, YO, K7, YO, SKP, K1; repeat from * to last 4 sts, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 9: K1, P1, K1, P1, K2tog, YO, K9, YO, *Slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K9, YO; repeat from * to last 6 sts, SKP, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 10: K1, P1, K1, P to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1
After you've completed your last repeat of the heart section, work rows 1-4 once more. This will finish up the top half of your last row of hearts.
To finish your heart dishcloth, you will repeat the seed stitch section once more, exactly like you did before! You will work 4 rows for the small version and 6 rows for the large version.
Finally, bind off your stitches in pattern. Block your dishcloth if desired, and then weave in your ends! Now your dishcloth is ready to use!
I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and use this pattern to fill your kitchen with lots of love! If you are interested in downloading and printing a PDF version of this pattern, you can find the pattern available for $1.50 - $2.00 (USD) on Ravelry, Payhip, and LoveCrafts. (Or, get the download sent to your email for free here!)
Happy Knitting!
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Note: The above pattern links lead to Ravelry. Patterns are also available on LoveCrafts and Payhip.