More Dishcloths

The dishcloth pile is getting pretty high!  Last week, I completed seven more.  I used up the last of the white with some two-color experiments as well as one full size and one half-size cloth.  I had a lot of fun exploring the Dishcloth Boutique web site, which has lots of free patterns for knit and crochet.  I continued to have difficulty with shrinkage in some of the patterns, but also found a few that worked out very well.  Also, I started using smaller needles to see what effect that would have.  The weave might be a little tighter, but it's not very noticable.  (Click on the photos for large versions showing pattern detail).

The Details:

	Pattern:  Wheatfields Needles:  Size 6 circulars Yarn:  Sugar 'N' Cream Ecru Notes:  This is my favorite of this batch.  It shrinks evenly and looks great from either side.  In fact, I can't really tell if the photo is from the front or back.  It was a fairly easy pattern, but you have to pay a little attention to what you are doing to get it to turn out right.
	Pattern:  Textured Slip-Stitch Dishcloth Needles:  Size 6 Circulars Yarn:  Sugar 'N' Cream Ecru and White Notes:  Another bad shrinkage pattern!  These were both square before washing!  Of course, after washing, it's pretty easy to see that you just need to add about 3 more rows of "bricks" to make a square cloth.  I like the way these look.  Time will tell if the slip stitch will hold up to use cleaning dishes.
	Pattern:  Nina's Seed Stitch Surprise Needles:  Size 6 Circulars Yarn:  Sugar 'N' Cream White Notes:  I'm still working on how to get this one to turn out like it is supposed to.  It has pretty severe shrinkage problems (vertically).  The surprise is the optical illusion that the pattern creates.  It is actually just a checkerboard of seed stitch blocks alternated with stockinette (therefore easy to knit).  When finished, the pattern looks more lacey, sort of like snowflakes.  I made two of these, one  regular size and one half-size.
	Pattern:  No Holes Dishcloth(pdf) Needles: Size 6 Circulars Yarn: Sugar 'N' Cream White and Ecru Notes:  These are really, really simple to make.  I caught myself knitting along without looking while watching TV when I made them.  I basically was looking for something easy that I could do with two colors and this fit the bill.  They are really springy and nubbly too, so they will make very useful dishcloths.