My grandmother was a knitter, but she specialized in knitting one item: dishcloths. I have no idea how many dishcloths she knitted in her lifetime, but I’d guess it was well into the thousands. Always the same pattern, always the same yarn. I find that consistency very comforting.
She used to give her dishcloths away in neat little stacks and sometimes she tucked in a copy of a poem called Thank God for Dirty Dishes. The poem is sweet and a little hokey, but it meant a lot to her. (She loved poetry of all kinds.) I thought it was time I shared both the pattern and the poem here on my blog in case anyone else wants to keep the tradition going… or start your own version!
Grandma’s Dishcloth Knitting Pattern
Grandma knitted simple corner-to-corner garter stitch dishcloths with basic increases and decreases. The pattern is beginner-friendly, mindless in the best way, and easy to memorize. It lives in the minds of many longtime knitters without ever needing to be written down… but I wrote it down anyway, as have many others.
All you need is about 60 yards of worsted-weight cotton yarn (Grandma used Sugar & Cream, I like Knit Picks Dishie) and a pair of US 7 needles. The finished cloth is roughly 8 inches square, and you can get three cloths out of one ball of Dishie if your gauge is similar to mine
“Thank God for Dirty Dishes” Poem Printable Gift Tag
This is the poem my grandmother included with her dishcloths. It’s a little prayer of gratitude said with a rhyme, and it makes such a lovely addition when you gift hand-knit dishcloths.
Thank You, God for dirty dishes, for they have a tale to tell.
While other folks go hungry, we’re eating very well.
With home and health and happiness, we shouldn’t make a fuss.
This pile of dirty dishes shows God’s very good to us.
I used the poem to make a printable gift tag to include with your knitted dishcloths. Here is a 4”x6” sized card that you can print at home or have a bunch professionally printed at a local print shop or online at VistaPrint (be sure to google for a coupon code!) If you have printer at home that is capable of printing borderless photos (most can these days), you can print these yourself on blank postcards like these.
(or download this as a png instead of a pdf)
I also made a four-to-a-page version that you can print on regular letter-sized paper (it looks extra cute if you trim the cards with decorative scissors!) or on Avery 8387 postcards. This version doesn’t include the little bubble design at the top and bottom like the postcard version, because a design on the edges makes it harder to print & trim at home, but the vibe is the same.
These dishcloths make fantastic housewarming gifts, holiday hostess gifts, or just-because-I-love-you gifts. I like to knit them in sets of four, stack them up, tie them with ribbon, and tuck in a copy of the poem.
Want More?
If you enjoyed this pattern and printable, I’d love it if you signed up for my email list or followed me on Instagram or Bluesky. I post lots of sock projects, stash-busting ideas, and the occasional poem-worthy knitting moment. 💞
Happy knitting, and thank you, Grandma.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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