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Lace Mesh Wash Cloth - Free Knitting Pattern

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth/Dish Cloth - Free Pattern
Photo above © Coffee & Cream

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth by Selina Kyle is a simple, practical knitting project that combines an open lace-mesh center with a neat seed-stitch border.

It is a useful small project for knitters who want to practice basic lace techniques without committing to a large shawl or garment.

The open mesh gives the cloth a light, flexible texture, while the textured border helps frame the square and gives the design a tidy finished appearance.

Free references to the original pattern are still available online, although the designer's old Coffee and Cream blog is no longer as easy to verify as it once was.

✓ Pattern Availability

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is a free knitting pattern by Selina Kyle. The pattern has historically been associated with her Coffee and Cream blog and is still referenced by established knitting-pattern directories as a free design.

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth at a Glance

Pattern: Lace Mesh Wash Cloth

Designer: Selina Kyle

Original Blog: Coffee and Cream

Category: Washcloth / Dishcloth

Main Feature: Lace mesh center

Border: Seed stitch

Construction: Worked flat

Good For: Practicing basic lace knitting

Availability: Free pattern references remain online

Why This Wash Cloth Is a Good Learning Project

Lace knitting can look intimidating when you first encounter a large shawl covered in charts and complicated motifs.

A washcloth is a much more manageable place to begin.

Because the project is small, you can practice the relationship between yarn overs and decreases without having hundreds of stitches on your needles.

The Lace Mesh Center

The central feature of the design is a simple open mesh.

Mesh lace is created by deliberately making holes in the knitted fabric, usually through yarn overs balanced by decreases.

The result is lighter and more flexible than a completely solid knitted square.

Why Yarn Overs Matter

A yarn over creates an extra loop on the needle.

When worked correctly, that extra loop becomes the decorative opening visible in the finished lace.

The increase created by the yarn over usually needs to be balanced by a decrease elsewhere in the stitch pattern so the overall stitch count remains controlled.

Watch the Stitch Count

One of the most common mistakes in beginner lace knitting is forgetting either a yarn over or a decrease.

Because the two usually work together, a missing stitch can shift the mesh pattern and make the next row harder to understand.

Count your stitches periodically while learning the repeat.

The Seed Stitch Border

The mesh center is surrounded by a seed-stitch border.

Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches to create a small, pebbled texture.

It is particularly useful around washcloths because it gives the edge a visually solid frame around an open center.

Seed Stitch Also Helps Control the Edges

A textured border can help a small knitted square sit more neatly than an unbordered piece of stockinette.

It also gives the cloth additional texture around the outside, which is useful both aesthetically and practically.

A Good Introduction to Reading Your Knitting

This type of project encourages you to recognize the difference between:

  • Knit stitches
  • Purl stitches
  • Yarn-over holes
  • Decreases
  • Border stitches
  • Mesh-pattern stitches

Learning to identify those elements visually makes future lace projects much easier.

Worked Flat

A washcloth like this is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round.

That makes the project convenient for knitters who are still becoming comfortable with basic needles and turning their work at the end of each row.

Choose a Practical Yarn

For washcloths and dishcloths, cotton is usually a very practical yarn choice.

It is absorbent, washable and shows textured stitches clearly.

However, because the exact original yarn specification is not reliably documented in the current sources we could verify, use the yarn recommendation from the original pattern if you have access to it.

Why We Are Not Giving an Exact Needle Size

Older copies and pattern roundups sometimes repeat specifications without making the original source clear.

Rather than turn an uncertain number into an authoritative-looking recommendation, Amazing Knitting does not list a specific needle size here unless it can be verified from the designer's own pattern record.

Use the needle size recommended by the authorized pattern source or select one that produces a flexible but useful cloth fabric with your chosen yarn.

Solid or Gradient Yarn?

Both can work well.

A solid color makes the lace holes and seed-stitch border very easy to see.

A gradient yarn can create a more decorative effect, and one surviving pattern roundup specifically highlights an ombré version of Selina Kyle's washcloth.

Keep the Mesh Relaxed

Lace usually looks better when it is not worked too tightly.

If your tension is extremely firm, the yarn-over holes may appear small and the mesh may lose some of its open character.

A small swatch can help you decide whether you like the fabric before knitting the entire cloth.

Blocking Can Improve the Lace

Washing and gently shaping the finished cloth can help the mesh settle into a more even appearance.

Always follow the care instructions for the yarn you use.

Cotton may behave quite differently from wool or synthetic fibers, so avoid assuming that every washcloth should be blocked in exactly the same way.

A Quick Skill-Building Project

Small household projects are useful because they let you practice a new technique while still producing something practical.

With Lace Mesh Wash Cloth, you can practice:

  • Knit and purl stitches
  • Seed stitch
  • Yarn overs
  • Basic lace decreases
  • Maintaining a border
  • Reading your knitting
  • Keeping an even stitch count

Washcloth or Dishcloth?

The same basic knitted square can often be used either in the bathroom or the kitchen, depending on yarn choice and personal preference.

For face or body use, choose a yarn that feels comfortable against the skin.

For kitchen use, durability, absorbency and easy washing may be more important.

Make a Coordinated Set

Small cloths are excellent scrap-yarn projects and can also be made in coordinated colors for a handmade gift set.

Pair several washcloths with handmade soap or other bath items for a simple practical gift.

Is Lace Mesh Wash Cloth Still Free?

Current knitting directories still identify Selina Kyle's cloth pattern as a free design.

The exact original Coffee and Cream blog source is old and not as easy to verify today, but Selina Kyle remains identified as the designer and established knitting sites continue to point knitters toward the free pattern.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row instructions here.

Find the Free Pattern

A reliable current route is the Ravelry ecosystem and knitting directories that still identify the original Selina Kyle design.

View Selina Kyle's Knitting Designs →

More Free Washcloth Patterns

If you enjoy quick household knits, you can also explore:

Why This Small Pattern Is Still Useful

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is not a dramatic garment or a huge heirloom project.

Its value is exactly the opposite: it gives you a small, forgiving project where you can concentrate on the mechanics of lace.

The combination of an open mesh center and textured seed-stitch border makes it a useful bridge between beginner knit-and-purl projects and more elaborate lace knitting.

Pattern credit: Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is attributed to Selina Kyle / Coffee and Cream. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

Seascape Stole - Free Pattern

Seascape Stole - Free Pattern
Photo above © Mary E

Seascape Stole by Kieran Foley is a beautifully light lace wrap inspired by the movement of the sea.

Flowing yarn-over motifs create long, shifting lines across the fabric, giving the stole the appearance of ocean waves and strings of pearls. The result is delicate and dramatic without relying on colorwork.

Originally published in Knitty, Summer 2008, Seascape has become a modern lace-knitting classic with thousands of completed projects.

Best of all, the original pattern is still officially available for free.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Seascape Stole is currently available free from authorized sources. The original charted version remains on Knitty, while Kieran Foley also provides free downloadable versions through his own pattern resources and Ravelry.

Seascape Stole at a Glance

Pattern: Seascape Stole

Designer: Kieran Foley

Original Publication: Knitty, Summer 2008

Category: Lace stole / rectangular wrap

Size: One size

Original Finished Size: Approx. 63 × 15 in

Suggested Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze

Fiber: Mohair / silk blend

Original Yarn Requirement: 3 balls

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm

Gauge: 22 sts × 26 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette after blocking

Construction: One piece, rectangular

Technique: Lace with yarn overs and decreases

Availability: Free

About the Seascape Stole

Seascape is a featherweight rectangular wrap built around flowing lace motifs.

The design uses shifting yarn overs and decreases to create long wave-like lines rather than isolated floral or geometric lace motifs.

That movement is what gives the stole its unmistakable ocean-inspired appearance.

A Modern Lace Classic

Seascape was first published in 2008, but it remains widely knitted many years later.

Its appeal comes from the combination of a dramatic finished appearance and a relatively logical repeating structure once the lace rhythm becomes familiar.

Ravelry records nearly two thousand completed projects, giving knitters a large gallery of yarn substitutions, color choices and size modifications to explore.

Original Finished Size

The original Knitty version gives finished measurements of approximately:

63 inches long × 15 inches wide

Because a stole is a rectangular accessory rather than a fitted garment, there is more flexibility for adjusting the final proportions than there would be with a sweater.

Original Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze

The original sample uses Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a lightweight blend of super kid mohair and silk.

This type of yarn contributes significantly to the appearance of the finished stole.

Mohair creates a soft halo, while silk adds lightness and subtle shine. Together they allow the open lace to look airy rather than heavy.

How Much Yarn Does Seascape Need?

The Knitty materials list calls for:

3 balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze

Knitty also notes that the photographed stole actually used about 515 yards / 473 meters.

Having the full recommended quantity gives you useful margin for gauge differences, swatching and any length adjustment you decide to make.

Needles and Gauge

The original Knitty version recommends:

US 4 / 3.5 mm needles

The published gauge after blocking is:

22 stitches × 26 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette

As always, use the needle size that gives you the fabric and gauge required by the particular version you are following.

Blocking Is Essential for Lace

Seascape can look surprisingly compressed while it is still on the needles.

Blocking opens the yarn-over holes, straightens the long flowing lines and allows the stole to reach its intended dimensions.

This is one of those projects where the transformation after blocking can be dramatic.

The Lace Is Built from Yarn Overs and Decreases

Much of the pattern's movement comes from the relationship between increases and decreases.

Yarn overs create the open spaces, while directional and centered decreases shape the lines that travel through the fabric.

The original Knitty instructions include techniques such as:

  • Yarn overs
  • M1L and M1R increases
  • Single decreases
  • Centered double decreases
  • Chart reading

Is Seascape Suitable for a First Lace Project?

Knitty describes the lace as straightforward for experienced knitters and learnable for beginners.

That does not mean the entire stole will feel effortless to someone completely new to lace.

The charts are large and the project contains many repeated lace rows, so careful row tracking is extremely helpful.

Use a Lifeline

A lifeline is one of the most useful tools you can add to a lace project like Seascape.

After completing a section that you know is correct, run a contrasting smooth thread through the live stitches.

If a later mistake requires unraveling several rows, the lifeline gives you a safe place to stop.

Count Stitches Frequently

Lace patterns depend on balancing yarn overs with decreases.

Missing a single yarn over or decrease can shift the motif and make later rows increasingly difficult to understand.

Check stitch counts periodically instead of waiting until the end of a long chart section.

Use Markers Carefully

Stitch markers can help divide long repeats into manageable sections.

However, lace stitches can move across repeat boundaries depending on the chart structure.

Follow the pattern carefully rather than assuming every marker can remain permanently in the same location.

The Original Knitty Charts Are Large

Knitty specifically notes that the Seascape charts are large.

The original publication therefore divides the charts into sections for easier viewing and printing.

If you use the original 2008 version, keep each chart section clearly labeled and track the current row carefully.

There Is Also a Simplified 2015 Version

Two Free Versions

Kieran Foley later released a simplified one-page version of Seascape in 2015. The motif and edging were adjusted so the chart and written directions could fit into a much more compact format.

This simplified version should be treated as its own published version, rather than mixing its numbers casually with those from the original 2008 Knitty pattern.

The 2015 One-Page Version Uses Different Specifications

The designer's 2015 simplified version is worked on US 8 / 5 mm needles with three skeins of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Its blocked size is approximately:

60 × 22 inches / 157 × 56 cm

Its approximate blocked lace gauge is:

15 stitches × 21 rows = 4 inches

These numbers belong to the 2015 simplified version, not the original Knitty version.

Do Not Mix the Two Versions

The original 2008 pattern and the simplified 2015 version are both legitimate Seascape patterns, but they are not identical.

Their needle sizes, gauge, cast-on counts, motif arrangement and final proportions differ.

Choose one version and follow that version consistently from beginning to end.

Want a Longer Seascape?

One of the most common modifications is to add another repeat to the central lace section.

Both Knitty and Ravelry note that some knitters prefer an extra repeat for additional length.

If you make the stole longer, remember to allow extra yarn before beginning.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

You do not have to use the exact Rowan yarn, but a successful substitute should create a similarly light lace fabric.

Consider:

  • Yarn weight
  • Halo
  • Fiber content
  • Meterage per skein
  • Drape
  • Behavior after blocking

A smooth lace yarn can produce sharper stitch definition, while a mohair-silk blend produces the soft haze seen in many Seascape projects.

Dark or Light Yarn?

Both can work beautifully, but the choice changes how the lace is seen.

Light colors can make the individual openings easy to read, while deep jewel tones can emphasize the shimmering, ocean-like quality of the finished wrap.

Highly variegated yarn may compete with the long flowing motifs, so swatching is particularly useful if your yarn contains strong color changes.

A Beautiful Special-Occasion Wrap

The light fabric and elegant rectangular shape make Seascape particularly suitable as an evening or special-occasion wrap.

It can add warmth without the visual weight of a heavy shawl and works especially well when the lace is allowed to remain the main feature.

Is Seascape Stole Still Free?

Yes.

Seascape Stole by Kieran Foley remains officially available free.

The original 2008 charted pattern is still hosted by Knitty, and free downloadable versions are also available through the designer's resources and Ravelry.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Kieran Foley's complete copyrighted charts or row-by-row instructions. Use one of the authorized sources below for the full pattern.

Get the Original Free Seascape Pattern

Read the original 2008 pattern on Knitty:

Get the Original Free Seascape Pattern →

Get the Simplified One-Page Version

Kieran Foley also provides a simplified 2015 version:

View the Free One-Page Seascape Pattern →

View Seascape on Ravelry

Ravelry is useful for browsing completed projects, yarn substitutions and modifications:

View Seascape Stole on Ravelry →

More Free Lace Patterns

If you enjoy elegant lace wraps and shawls, continue with these patterns already restored in Amazing Knitting:

Explore More Lace Knitting

Before You Cast On

First decide whether you want to knit the original 2008 Knitty version or Kieran Foley's simplified 2015 version.

Do not mix their gauges or stitch counts.

Whichever version you choose, make a swatch, keep careful track of the lace rows and consider using a lifeline before each major repeat.

After blocking, the flowing yarn-over motifs reveal why Seascape has remained such a memorable lace design for so many years.

Pattern credit: Seascape Stole was designed by Kieran Foley and first published in Knitty, Summer 2008. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted charts or knitting instructions. Please keep the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

The Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan - Bohus Knitting Pattern Guide

The Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan - Free Pattern
Photos above © schrouderknits

The Blue Shimmer (Blå Skimmer) is one of the most celebrated designs associated with the Swedish Bohus Stickning tradition.

Designed by Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn in 1947, Blue Shimmer became the most popular design produced by Bohus Stickning and remains instantly recognizable for its extraordinary circular yoke, subtle color transitions and mixture of colorwork and texture.

If this beautiful cardigan brought you here, this guide will help you identify the original design, understand what makes Bohus knitting distinctive, and avoid an important source of confusion: more than one authorized reproduction of Blue Shimmer has existed, and their knitting instructions are not interchangeable.

Pattern Availability

Blue Shimmer is a historic copyrighted design with multiple authorized reproductions. We could not verify a current authorized free version of the exact Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan. One well-known English-language reproduction appeared in the book Poems of Color, which is now listed as out of print, while another historically accurate reproduction was produced through SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet. Amazing Knitting therefore does not reproduce the charts or direct readers to unofficial copies.

The Blue Shimmer at a Glance

Original Name: Blue Shimmer / Blå Skimmer

Designer: Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn

Original Design: 1947

Tradition: Bohus Stickning

Garment Style: Circular-yoke sweater / cardigan variations

Techniques: Stranded colorwork and textured stitches

Notable Feature: Multi-color patterned yoke

Historical English Source: Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition

Current Status: No verified current free version of the exact cardigan

What Is Blue Shimmer?

Blue Shimmer, or Blå Skimmer, is much more than an ordinary stranded-colorwork sweater.

It belongs to the remarkable knitting tradition developed by Bohus Stickning in Sweden during the twentieth century.

The original Blue Shimmer design dates to 1947 and became one of the best-known garments associated with Bohus knitting.

Its patterned yoke combines carefully arranged colors with changes in stitch texture, producing the soft, shimmering effect that inspired the design's name.

What Was Bohus Stickning?

Bohus Stickning was a Swedish knitting organization known for exceptionally sophisticated hand-knitted garments.

Its designs became famous for combining fine yarns, unusual color relationships and technically sophisticated patterned yokes.

Unlike many stranded-knitting traditions that rely primarily on two-color geometric motifs, Bohus designs often use several closely related shades to create subtle visual transitions.

Why Blue Shimmer Became So Famous

Blue Shimmer is often singled out because its yoke demonstrates many of the qualities that made Bohus knitting distinctive.

Rather than creating a hard boundary between one motif and the next, the colors appear to move and shimmer across the surface.

Texture adds another layer of complexity, so the design changes not only through color but through the way individual stitches catch the light.

The Circular Yoke Is the Star

The patterned yoke is the visual center of Blue Shimmer.

Multiple shades are arranged around the upper body so the pattern develops continuously around the garment.

This means consistent tension is particularly important. A section worked too tightly can reduce the elasticity of the yoke, while loose floats can make the fabric uneven.

More Than Ordinary Stranded Colorwork

One reason Bohus knitting is so interesting is that the patterned areas may combine color changes with knit and purl texture.

That combination produces a surface quite different from completely smooth stranded stockinette.

For knitters familiar with Fair Isle or other stranded traditions, Bohus knitting can therefore introduce a different approach to creating depth and visual movement.

The Original Design Dates to 1947

Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn designed Blue Shimmer in 1947.

Historical pattern records identify it as the most popular design produced by Bohus Stickning.

That history is important because many modern photographs show reproductions rather than garments knitted directly from an original 1940s pattern sheet.

Important: There Is More Than One Blue Shimmer Pattern

Do Not Mix the Instructions

Two authorized reproductions of the historic Blue Shimmer design are documented. They look similar but use different yarn weights, gauges, stitch counts, construction methods and directions. Choose one complete version and follow its specifications throughout.

The Poems of Color Version

One well-known reproduction appears in Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition.

Ravelry records the Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan from this source as using a sport-weight interpretation and providing sizes S, M and L.

The book itself is currently listed as out of print.

Poems of Color Cardigan Specifications

For historical reference, the Ravelry record for this specific reproduction lists:

  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Approximate finished bust: 40, 44, 48 inches
  • Yarn weight: Sport / 5-ply interpretation
  • Main gauge: 7 stitches per inch
  • Needles listed: US 1, US 2 and US 3
  • Yardage: approximately 1,699–1,999 yards
  • Colorwork: Chart provided for the patterned section

These specifications apply to the Poems of Color reproduction. They should not be assumed to apply to other Blue Shimmer reproductions.

The SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet Reproduction

A separate authorized recreation was developed by Solveig Gustafsson in 1999.

This reproduction was created using fine Bohus-style angora-merino yarn and later became associated with AngoraGarnet.

It is not simply the Poems of Color instructions rewritten with a different yarn.

Why the Two Versions Cannot Be Combined

The documented differences include:

  • Yarn weight
  • Gauge
  • Neck stitch count
  • Bust stitch count
  • Waist stitch count
  • Construction
  • Written directions

For example, the Poems of Color interpretation uses approximately 7 stitches per inch, while the historically oriented SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet version uses a substantially finer gauge of approximately 8.25 stitches per inch.

Substituting numbers from one version into the other could therefore create serious sizing and construction problems.

The Famous Angora-Merino Fabric

Fine angora-blend yarn is closely associated with the characteristic appearance of many Bohus garments.

The halo softens transitions between neighboring colors and contributes to the almost painted appearance of the patterned yoke.

This is one reason a modern reproduction worked in a very different fiber may look sharper and less blended even when the colors are similar.

Color Is Everything

Blue Shimmer demonstrates how sophisticated colorwork does not require extremely bright contrasts.

Closely related blues, neutrals and accent shades interact to create depth rather than simple graphic separation.

When viewed from a distance, the individual motifs merge into a shimmering field of color around the shoulders.

Swatching Is Essential

Blue Shimmer is not a project where gauge should be treated casually.

A proper swatch helps you evaluate:

  • Gauge
  • Stranded tension
  • Color interaction
  • Fabric density
  • Float management
  • Behavior after washing

If you are working from an authorized reproduction, swatch using the yarn and gauge specified by that particular version.

Practice Stranded Tension First

The patterned yoke contains many stitches where uneven stranded tension would be immediately visible.

If you are new to stranded knitting, practicing on a smaller project before beginning a historic Bohus reproduction can be worthwhile.

The goal is to keep the unused yarn relaxed behind the work without allowing excessively loose floats.

Why the Wrong Yarn Can Change the Look

Matching gauge alone does not guarantee the same visual result.

Fiber content, halo, elasticity and color blending all influence the character of a Bohus-style fabric.

A smooth yarn may produce beautifully clear stitches, but it will not necessarily create the same soft transitions associated with an angora-merino blend.

Read the Chart Carefully

Historic colorwork designs reward careful chart reading.

Keep track of your current row and make sure color changes remain aligned with the intended motif.

A magnetic chart keeper, removable tape or another row-tracking method can make a large colorwork chart easier to manage.

Is The Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan Still Free?

We could not verify a current authorized free pattern for the exact Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan.

The old Amazing Knitting page described it as a free pattern, but the currently documented sources do not support continuing that claim.

One authorized English reproduction appears in the out-of-print Poems of Color book, while another authorized reproduction has been associated with SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet.

Amazing Knitting therefore treats this page as a historical pattern guide rather than a free-pattern download page.

View the Historical Pattern Record

Ravelry maintains a detailed record for the Poems of Color Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan, including specifications and completed projects.

View The Blue Shimmer Yoke Cardigan on Ravelry →

Why We Don't Link to Unofficial Pattern Copies

Historic knitting patterns frequently appear as scans, copied charts or PDFs on blogs, document-sharing sites and image boards.

Age alone does not establish that a particular reproduction or adaptation can be freely redistributed.

Blue Shimmer also has multiple authorized reproductions with meaningful technical differences, making an unidentified copy especially risky from both a copyright and knitting-accuracy perspective.

For those reasons, Amazing Knitting does not host the chart or link to an unofficial download.

Love This Style? Explore Free Colorwork Patterns

If Blue Shimmer brought you here because you love decorative yokes and stranded knitting, you can still use this historic garment as inspiration while choosing a currently available pattern for your next project.

Explore Amazing Knitting for:

Blue Shimmer as Knitting History

Even if you never knit the complete cardigan, Blue Shimmer is worth studying.

It demonstrates how yarn texture, subtle color relationships and carefully planned stitch patterns can work together to create something far richer than ordinary two-color knitting.

More than seventy years after the original design appeared, the yoke still looks distinctive — a strong reminder that exceptional knitting design does not depend on following short-lived trends.

Before Starting a Blue Shimmer Reproduction

First identify exactly which authorized version you own.

Then use only the yarn requirements, gauge, stitch counts and construction instructions belonging to that version.

Do not combine specifications from the Poems of Color pattern with those from the SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet reproduction simply because the finished garments look similar.

Swatch carefully, practice your stranded tension and pay close attention to the extraordinary color relationships that make Blue Shimmer one of the most memorable Bohus Stickning designs.

Historical pattern credit: Blue Shimmer / Blå Skimmer was designed by Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn for the Bohus Stickning tradition in 1947. Later authorized reproductions include versions associated with Poems of Color and SOLsilke / AngoraGarnet. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to schrouderknits. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical and project guide and does not reproduce copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions.

Puerperium Cardigan - Free Pattern

Puerperium Cardigan - Free Pattern
Photos above © xgeckox

Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly van Niekerk is a beautifully simple newborn cardigan designed with the first weeks of a baby's life in mind.

Worked from the top down with seamless construction, it combines practical baby-friendly dressing with a wonderfully clean design. The asymmetric button placement gives the cardigan its distinctive look while leaving plenty of room for knitters to personalize the basic garment.

It is also an exceptionally popular little knit, with thousands of completed projects recorded by knitters on Ravelry.

Best of all, the original newborn-size Puerperium Cardigan pattern is still available as a free download.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

The original newborn-size Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly van Niekerk is currently available as a free Ravelry download. The designer also created a separate expanded version called Beyond Puerperium, which is a paid pattern covering additional sizes and yarn weights.

Puerperium Cardigan at a Glance

Pattern: Puerperium Cardigan

Designer: Kelly van Niekerk

Studio: PEKAPEKA Design Studio

Published: May 2011

Category: Newborn Cardigan

Free Size: Approx. 3–4 kg / 7–9 lb birthweight

Approx. Chest: 37.5 cm / 14¾ in

Yarn Weight: DK / 8-ply

Suggested Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK

Yardage: Approx. 197–219 yd / 180–200 m

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm

Gauge: 22 sts × 30 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette

Construction: Top-down and seamless

Sleeves: Straight or tailored tapered option

Availability: Free Ravelry download

What Does “Puerperium” Mean?

The unusual name has a very specific connection to the purpose of the cardigan.

The puerperium is the period immediately following childbirth. The designer created this cardigan specifically to be easy for new parents to put on and take off their newborn during those first weeks.

That practical idea is central to the design rather than simply being an unusual pattern name.

Designed Specifically for Newborns

The free Puerperium pattern is intentionally focused on one small size.

It is written for a newborn weighing approximately:

3–4 kg / 7–9 lb

The approximate finished chest circumference is:

37.5 cm / 14¾ inches

This is important to understand before beginning: the free pattern is not a multi-size baby cardigan pattern.

Top-Down Construction

Puerperium is worked from the top down.

Top-down construction has several advantages for a small baby garment. You can see the cardigan taking shape as you knit, and the construction avoids the need to assemble multiple large garment pieces afterward.

It also makes the cardigan an approachable introduction to top-down garment knitting.

A Seamless Baby Cardigan

One of the pattern's biggest attractions is its seamless construction.

For knitters who dislike sewing garment pieces together, this is an especially welcome feature.

It also produces a neat interior, which is particularly appealing for clothing worn by a newborn.

The Distinctive Button Placement

Puerperium does not look like an ordinary symmetrical button-front cardigan.

Its buttonband follows the shaping line, creating the distinctive asymmetric front that makes the otherwise simple cardigan immediately recognizable.

This clever detail adds personality without requiring complicated colorwork or elaborate lace.

A Blank Canvas for Personalization

The designer describes Puerperium as a simple cardigan that can act as a blank canvas for embellishment.

That explains why completed versions of this pattern can look so different from one another.

Knitters can let the yarn provide the visual interest or add their own carefully chosen decorative touches.

The project photograph historically featured on this Amazing Knitting page, for example, shows how an embellishment can transform the basic cardigan into something playful and personal.

Solid or Variegated Yarn?

Both can work beautifully.

A solid yarn emphasizes the unusual construction and button placement, while a variegated or hand-dyed yarn can add visual interest to the simple stockinette fabric.

Because the basic cardigan does not rely on a complex all-over stitch pattern, it can be particularly effective for showing off a special skein of yarn.

Original Suggested Yarn

The Ravelry record suggests Madelinetosh Tosh DK.

The important technical requirement, however, is the DK / 8-ply weight and the required gauge rather than the exact brand.

The published yardage is approximately:

197–219 yards / 180–200 meters

This relatively modest yarn requirement also makes Puerperium an appealing small-garment project.

Gauge

The published gauge is:

22 stitches × 30 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm

This is measured in stockinette stitch.

The listed needle size is:

US 6 / 4 mm

Treat the needle size as a starting point. Use whichever needle size allows you to achieve the required gauge with your chosen yarn.

Gauge Matters on a Newborn Garment

It can be tempting to skip a gauge check because this cardigan is so small.

But on a newborn-size garment, even a modest gauge difference can noticeably affect the finished circumference.

If your stitches are substantially larger than specified, the cardigan may fit more like a larger infant size. If they are too small, the newborn cardigan may become uncomfortably tight.

Two Sleeve Options

The free pattern includes instructions for:

  • Straight knitted sleeves
  • Tailored tapered sleeves

This gives the knitter some control over the final silhouette while keeping the overall cardigan construction straightforward.

A Useful First Top-Down Garment

Puerperium can be an excellent stepping stone between flat accessories and larger knitted garments.

You get experience with garment construction, shaping, sleeves, buttonholes and finishing, but everything happens on a very small scale.

That means mistakes are generally discovered sooner and there are far fewer stitches to manage than on an adult cardigan.

Skills You May Practice

  • Top-down garment construction
  • Stockinette stitch
  • Increasing
  • Buttonholes
  • Separating body and sleeves
  • Working sleeves
  • Decreasing for tapered sleeves
  • Binding off
  • Weaving in ends
  • Attaching buttons securely

Choosing Yarn for a Newborn

When substituting yarn, consider more than gauge.

A newborn cardigan should ideally be made from yarn that is:

  • Comfortably soft
  • Appropriate for sensitive skin
  • Practical to wash
  • Durable enough for repeated laundering
  • Suitable for the climate in which the cardigan will be worn

Always follow the care instructions for the actual yarn you choose.

Buttons Need Extra Attention

Baby Safety Note

Because Puerperium uses multiple buttons, attach every button very securely and inspect them regularly. Small detachable items can present a hazard around babies if they become loose.

Check Button Size Before Finishing

Choose buttons that work comfortably with the buttonholes produced by your knitting.

A button that is too large can stretch the knitted opening, while one that is too small may slip through too easily.

Testing the button before sewing the entire set into place can save a frustrating finishing problem.

Why This Pattern Became So Popular

Puerperium combines several qualities knitters tend to appreciate in a baby pattern:

  • Small yarn requirement
  • Quick newborn size
  • Seamless construction
  • Simple styling
  • Distinctive button detail
  • Easy personalization
  • Free availability

Its Ravelry record now shows more than twelve thousand projects, giving new knitters an enormous gallery of yarn and color ideas to explore.

Important: The Free Pattern Is Newborn Size

Free vs. Expanded Version

The free Puerperium Cardigan is written for the newborn size in DK / 8-ply yarn. If you need more sizes or want to work in other yarn weights, the designer created a separate expanded pattern called Beyond Puerperium.

What Is Beyond Puerperium?

Beyond Puerperium is Kelly van Niekerk's comprehensive version of the original design.

It expands the concept to seven sizes from newborn through approximately two years and provides instructions for multiple yarn weights.

Unlike the original newborn Puerperium pattern, Beyond Puerperium is a paid pattern.

This does not change the status of the original pattern: the newborn-size Puerperium Cardigan itself remains free.

Is Puerperium Cardigan Still Free?

Yes.

The original Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly van Niekerk is currently available as a free Ravelry download.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted row-by-row instructions. Use the official Ravelry listing below to obtain the current pattern directly from its authorized source.

Get the Free Puerperium Cardigan Pattern

Visit the official pattern record to download the free newborn Puerperium Cardigan:

Get the Free Puerperium Cardigan Pattern →

Need More Sizes?

If you love the construction but need a larger baby or toddler size, the designer's expanded version is:

View Beyond Puerperium →

Remember that Beyond Puerperium is a separate paid pattern rather than part of the free newborn download.

More Free Baby Cardigan Patterns

If you enjoy simple baby garments, continue with these verified free patterns in the Amazing Knitting archive:

Explore More Baby Knitting

Before You Cast On

Remember that the free pattern is specifically designed for a newborn around 3–4 kg / 7–9 lb.

Check your stockinette gauge, choose a comfortable DK yarn appropriate for baby clothing, and make sure your buttons fit the finished buttonholes securely.

If the newborn size suits your project, Puerperium offers an appealing combination of straightforward knitting and clever construction — and its enormous number of completed projects makes it easy to find inspiration for colors, yarns and personalization.

Pattern credit: Puerperium Cardigan was designed by Kelly van Niekerk and published through PEKAPEKA Design Studio in 2011. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to xgeckox. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions.

Rosabel Cardigan by Anne Dresow - Pattern Guide

Rosabel Cardigan - Free Pattern
Photo above © sugarmom96

Rosabel Cardigan by Anne Dresow is a beautiful vintage-inspired baby and toddler cardigan combining delicate lace, classic button-front styling and a circular yoke.

The decorative lower section gives the cardigan much of its charm, while the fine yarn and understated silhouette create the heirloom look that made Rosabel a popular baby-knit project.

If this beautiful cardigan brought you here, this guide will help you understand the original Rosabel design, its sizing, yarn, gauge and construction — and what happened to the original pattern.

Although the original digital pattern is no longer available from its former source, you still have options. Below you'll also find free cardigan patterns you can knit today.

Pattern Availability

Rosabel Cardigan is currently discontinued. The Ravelry pattern record states that the digital pattern is no longer available online, and its original publication source, Nordic Baby Knits, is listed as out of print. Amazing Knitting therefore does not link to unofficial copies of the copyrighted pattern.

Rosabel Cardigan at a Glance

Pattern: Rosabel Cardigan

Designer: Anne Dresow

Designer Label: Elle & Rose Knitwear

Original Publication: Nordic Baby Knits

First Published: February 2010

Category: Baby / Toddler Cardigan

Sizes: 3–6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years

Original Yarn: Sandnes Garn Babyull Lanett

Yarn Weight: Light Fingering

Yardage: Approx. 600–801 yd / 549–732 m

Needles: US 2½ / 3 mm

Gauge: 22 sts × 32 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette

Style: Vintage-inspired lace cardigan

Current Status: Discontinued / original source out of print

About the Rosabel Cardigan

Anne Dresow's Rosabel Cardigan has the kind of styling that makes a baby knit feel like an heirloom rather than an everyday basic.

The cardigan combines a traditional button front with decorative openwork and a circular-yoke construction.

The result is feminine and vintage-inspired without requiring complicated colorwork.

A Vintage-Inspired Baby Cardigan

Rosabel's appeal comes largely from the balance between simple stockinette fabric and decorative lace.

Instead of covering the entire garment in an elaborate stitch pattern, the lace creates areas of visual interest while allowing the classic cardigan shape to remain clear.

This makes the design particularly attractive in soft solid colors, where the eyelets and stitch definition can be easily seen.

Four Baby and Toddler Sizes

The original pattern was published in four sizes:

  • 3–6 months
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 4 years

That range allowed knitters to use the same vintage-inspired design from early babyhood into the preschool years.

If you already legally own a copy of Rosabel, use the measurements and stitch counts for your chosen size from that original pattern rather than estimating from age alone.

Original Yarn

Rosabel was designed for Sandnes Garn Babyull Lanett, a fine merino baby yarn.

The yarn's relatively fine gauge helps produce the delicate fabric that suits the cardigan's lace details.

The published pattern record gives an approximate total requirement of:

600–801 yards / 549–732 meters

The exact amount depends on the size being knitted.

Gauge

The published stockinette gauge is:

22 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm

The listed needle size is:

US 2½ / 3 mm

Needle size should always be treated as a starting point. If you legally own the original pattern and plan to knit Rosabel, use whatever needle size allows you to achieve its required gauge.

Why Gauge Matters on This Cardigan

Gauge is particularly important in a baby garment because even a small difference can noticeably change the finished circumference and length.

It also affects the appearance of lace.

Fabric that is too tight may prevent the eyelets from opening clearly, while fabric that is too loose may lose the neat structure visible in the original cardigan.

The Circular Yoke

One of Rosabel's characteristic construction features is its circular yoke.

Rather than relying on conventional rectangular armholes and separately shaped shoulder pieces, the garment's upper sections come together into a rounded yoke.

This contributes to the smooth vintage silhouette around the shoulders.

Lace Is the Main Decorative Feature

Rosabel does not need multiple colors to create visual interest.

Yarn overs and decreases form openwork details that stand out against the smoother knitted fabric.

If you are working from a legally obtained copy, read the chart or lace instructions carefully and check stitch counts at the end of pattern repeats.

Use Lifelines for Lace

A lifeline can be particularly helpful when knitting a lace section.

Run a contrasting strand through a known-correct row before continuing into another repeat.

If you later discover a mistake, the lifeline gives you a safe point to return to without unraveling the entire decorative section.

Keep Track of Yarn Overs and Decreases

Lace usually balances increases created by yarn overs with decreases elsewhere in the repeat.

Missing either one can change the total stitch count and shift the motif out of alignment.

Count stitches periodically rather than waiting until the end of a long section to check your work.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

If you already own the original Rosabel pattern but cannot find the suggested yarn, choose a substitute based on gauge and fabric characteristics rather than brand name alone.

Consider:

  • Gauge
  • Yardage per skein
  • Fiber content
  • Softness
  • Stitch definition
  • Washability
  • Drape after blocking

Good stitch definition is particularly useful because it allows the lace details to remain visible.

Choosing Color

Rosabel works especially well in a solid or gently heathered color.

Highly variegated yarn can sometimes compete visually with delicate lace, while a quieter color lets the texture become the main feature.

Soft pinks, creams and pastels naturally reinforce the vintage look, but richer modern colors could give the same cardigan a completely different character.

Blocking Helps the Lace Open

Lace often looks compressed immediately after it comes off the needles.

Appropriate wet blocking can help the openwork settle into its intended shape and make the motif easier to see.

Always follow the care instructions for the yarn you actually use and avoid overstretching a small baby garment.

Buttons and Baby Garments

Rosabel is a button-front cardigan.

If you knit it from a copy you already own, attach every button very securely and check them regularly during use.

Loose buttons and other small detachable components can present a hazard around babies and young children.

What Happened to the Free Rosabel Pattern?

When this Amazing Knitting page was originally published in 2019, Rosabel circulated online as a free digital knitting pattern.

That situation has changed.

The current Ravelry record identifies the original source Nordic Baby Knits as out of print and states that the digital pattern is no longer available online.

For that reason, Amazing Knitting no longer describes Rosabel as a currently available free download.

Why We Don't Link to Reuploaded PDFs

You may encounter copies of Rosabel on document-sharing websites, Pinterest links or old knitting blogs.

Their existence does not establish that they are authorized distributions.

Rosabel is a copyrighted design by Anne Dresow. Amazing Knitting therefore does not link to third-party copies of the complete pattern when we cannot verify permission from the designer.

Already Own Rosabel?

If you downloaded or purchased an authorized copy while it was available, you can of course continue using your copy. Keep the original instructions and charts together, since replacing them may now be difficult.

View the Historical Rosabel Pattern Record

Ravelry still maintains the pattern record, which is useful for identifying the design, checking its original specifications and browsing completed projects.

View Rosabel Cardigan on Ravelry →

Love Rosabel? Try These Free Cardigans Instead

Rosabel may no longer have an authorized digital download, but there are still beautiful baby and child cardigans you can start today.

These free patterns have already been verified in the Amazing Knitting archive:

Explore More Baby Cardigan Patterns

Can You Still Get Rosabel Cardigan?

The original digital Rosabel Cardigan pattern is currently discontinued.

Its Ravelry record remains online for identification and project information, but it states that the digital pattern itself is no longer available.

We recommend avoiding unofficial PDF copies whose distribution rights cannot be verified.

If Anne Dresow or an authorized publisher makes Rosabel available again, this Amazing Knitting guide can be updated with the new official source.

Why Rosabel Is Still Worth Remembering

An unavailable pattern does not make the design irrelevant.

Rosabel remains a lovely example of how a relatively simple baby cardigan silhouette can be transformed through a circular yoke, delicate openwork and careful finishing.

Use it as inspiration, browse the historical projects, or choose one of the verified free alternatives above to begin a new baby cardigan today.

Pattern credit: Rosabel Cardigan was designed by Anne Dresow / Elle & Rose Knitwear and first published in 2010. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to sugarmom96. Rosabel is currently listed as discontinued. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical and project guide and does not reproduce or distribute the designer's copyrighted knitting instructions or charts.

Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor - Tutorial

Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor - Tutorial
Photo above © Liveinternet

This Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor has a wonderfully old-fashioned silhouette: deep ribbed texture, a small knitted visor and ties that secure the bonnet beneath the chin.

It is the kind of practical baby knit that combines warmth with a distinctive vintage look, and the strongly textured fabric makes the simple shape especially attractive.

If this bonnet brought you here, this guide will help you understand the design, the knitting techniques visible in the original project, yarn considerations, fit and finishing — as well as what we could verify about the historical tutorial.

Pattern Availability

This bonnet circulated online as a free tutorial and was historically associated with a Turkish-language video tutorial. However, we could not verify a current authorized pattern page or a clearly identified original designer for the exact project. For that reason, Amazing Knitting does not reproduce or reconstruct the original instructions.

Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor at a Glance

Project: Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor

Type: Baby bonnet / knitted cap

Style: Vintage-inspired

Texture: Strong ribbed texture

Features: Small visor and chin ties

Techniques Associated with the Historical Tutorial: Knit and purl stitches

Historical Tutorial Language: Reported as Turkish

Original Image Credit: Liveinternet

Current Status: Exact authorized source not verified

What Makes This Vintage Bonnet So Appealing?

The most distinctive feature is the combination of a traditional bonnet shape with a small visor at the front.

Most knitted baby bonnets frame the face with a simple edge. Adding a visor gives this design more structure and creates the charming old-fashioned cap appearance that made the project popular online.

The ties at either side complete the traditional bonnet silhouette.

A Beautiful Ribbed Texture

The original project is dominated by pronounced vertical texture.

Ribbed knitting is particularly useful for hats because the alternating stitch structure allows the fabric to stretch and recover more easily than plain stockinette.

Visually, the ribs also add depth to a project made in only one color.

Basic Knit and Purl Skills

Historical descriptions of this tutorial identify knit and purl stitches as the foundation of the design.

That does not necessarily make every part of the bonnet a first-project beginner exercise. Shaping a bonnet and creating a structured visor can introduce additional construction and finishing challenges.

A knitter who is already comfortable recognizing knit and purl stitches will therefore have an easier time understanding this style of project.

The Visor Is the Defining Detail

Without the visor, this would resemble many traditional ribbed baby bonnets.

The short brim changes the silhouette completely and gives the hat its distinctive vintage character.

A visor also requires careful attention to shaping and tension. Uneven stitches can become more noticeable on a small structured section than on the flexible body of a hat.

Why the Chin Ties Matter

Ties are a familiar feature of traditional baby bonnets because they help keep the hat positioned around the head.

They also contribute significantly to the vintage appearance of the finished piece.

Baby Safety Note

Any baby hat with ties or cords should be used only with appropriate adult supervision. Never leave a baby unattended or sleeping in an accessory with long ties, cords or other elements that could present an entanglement hazard.

Choosing Yarn for a Baby Bonnet

Because we could not verify authoritative yarn specifications for the exact historical tutorial, we do not recommend inventing a yarn weight or needle size for this project.

If you make a similar bonnet from another verified pattern, choose yarn with baby use in mind.

Useful qualities include:

  • Softness against sensitive skin
  • Good stitch definition for the ribbed texture
  • Comfortable stretch and recovery
  • Practical washing instructions
  • A fiber appropriate for the intended season

Stitch Definition Is Especially Important

Much of the visual appeal comes from the raised ribbed structure.

A smooth yarn with clear stitch definition will usually show that texture more strongly than an extremely fuzzy yarn.

Before committing to a full bonnet, knit a small ribbed swatch and see whether you like the depth and elasticity of the fabric.

Why We Are Not Giving a Needle Size

You may find websites describing this project as using “medium” or “mid-thick” yarn.

Those descriptions are too vague to establish a reliable yarn weight, gauge or needle size.

Rather than turning an uncertain historical description into a false specification, Amazing Knitting recommends following the gauge and materials from a currently verified bonnet pattern.

Fit Matters More Than the Age Label

Baby head sizes vary, so a finished circumference measurement is more useful than relying only on an age such as “3 months” or “6 months.”

Ribbing provides useful stretch, but that does not mean the same bonnet will comfortably fit every baby.

When working from a verified baby-hat pattern, compare its finished measurements with the intended recipient whenever possible.

Practice the Ribbing First

If the texture is what attracted you to this bonnet, you can practice the basic idea independently of the original project.

Knit a small ribbed swatch and concentrate on:

  • Keeping knit columns consistent
  • Keeping purl columns consistent
  • Avoiding accidental shifts in the rib sequence
  • Maintaining even edge tension
  • Observing how the fabric stretches

This gives you useful practice without attempting to reverse-engineer someone else's original bonnet instructions.

Blocking Ribbed Baby Knits

Be careful not to stretch ribbing aggressively during blocking.

The elasticity and raised texture are part of the design, and excessive stretching can flatten the ribs.

Follow the washing and blocking instructions appropriate for the yarn used in your chosen verified pattern.

Why the Original Tutorial Is Difficult to Verify

The Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor was widely shared across knitting websites and image-sharing pages.

Historical copies commonly credit the image to Liveinternet, while another surviving reference associates the free video tutorial with Anne Isleri and describes it as Turkish-language instruction.

However, those references do not give us enough reliable evidence to identify a current authorized source for the exact pattern.

That distinction matters. A pattern appearing on many websites does not automatically establish who created it or who currently has permission to distribute its instructions.

Why Amazing Knitting Doesn't Reproduce the Instructions

Our goal is to help you find and understand knitting projects while respecting the people who created them.

Since we cannot currently establish an authorized original source for the exact bonnet instructions, reproducing instructions copied from an old website or reconstructing them from a video would not be appropriate.

Instead, we preserve the historical project page, explain what can be verified, and help you continue toward a reliable pattern.

Love This Vintage Bonnet Style?

If the visor, ribbed texture or old-fashioned baby-bonnet silhouette is what attracted you, don't give up on the project.

Look for a currently published baby bonnet pattern with clear sizing, gauge and designer attribution, then use this vintage example as inspiration for the style you want.

You can also explore the Amazing Knitting archive for baby hats and other small baby projects:

More Baby Knitting Patterns

Can You Still Get the Exact Original Pattern?

We could not verify a current authorized source for the exact Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor tutorial.

Historical references indicate that a free video tutorial circulated online and that it was presented in Turkish, but we do not want to send knitters to copied instructions, unauthorized pattern reproductions or an uncertain download.

If a clearly identified original designer or authorized current source becomes available, this page can be updated with that information.

Before You Choose a Similar Bonnet Pattern

Look for a pattern that clearly provides:

  • Designer or publisher attribution
  • Baby head circumference or finished measurements
  • Yarn weight
  • Gauge
  • Needle size
  • Clear visor or brim construction
  • Finishing instructions

Those details are much more useful than trying to reconstruct a project from a photograph alone.

The original Vintage Baby Bonnet With Visor remains wonderful inspiration: a strongly ribbed little cap, a charming structured visor and a classic bonnet silhouette that still feels distinctive years after the image first circulated online.

Historical source note: The original Amazing Knitting post credited the photograph to Liveinternet. Surviving third-party references associate the project with a Turkish-language video tutorial, but Amazing Knitting could not verify a current authorized source or definitive original designer for the exact pattern. This updated page therefore provides independent editorial guidance rather than reproducing or reconstructing the historical instructions.

Heart Face Scrubby - Free Knitting Pattern

Heart Face Scrubby - Free Knitting Pattern
Photo above © PurlsAndPixels

Heart Face Scrubby by Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels is one of those tiny knitting projects that manages to be cute, practical and genuinely useful.

A simple heart appears in the center through carefully placed knit and purl stitches, turning a small cotton square into a reusable face cloth or makeup-remover pad.

It is also an excellent scrap-yarn project: each scrubby uses only about 9.5 yards of worsted-weight cotton yarn and is worked flat with basic stitches.

Best of all, Liz Chandler still provides the complete pattern free to read on PurlsAndPixels. A printable PDF is also available separately for knitters who prefer an ad-free version.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

The complete Heart Face Scrubby knitting pattern is currently free to read on the designer's PurlsAndPixels website. The designer also offers an optional paid printable PDF, but purchasing the PDF is not required to use the free web pattern.

Heart Face Scrubby at a Glance

Pattern: Heart Face Scrubby

Designer: Liz Chandler

Source: PurlsAndPixels

First Published: February 2019

Skill Level: Beginner / Easy

Yarn Weight: Worsted

Suggested Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream 100% Cotton

Yarn per Scrubby: Approx. 9.5 yd / 8.7 m

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Gauge: 19 sts × 26 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette

Construction: One piece, worked flat

Finished Size: Approx. 3 × 3 in after washing

Availability: Free web pattern + optional paid PDF

About the Heart Face Scrubby

Liz Chandler designed this little scrubby as a reusable alternative to disposable cotton pads.

Its appeal is in its simplicity. The scrubby is essentially a small knitted square, but strategically placed purl stitches create a heart motif on the front of the fabric.

There is no complicated colorwork and no separate heart to sew onto the finished cloth.

A Beginner-Friendly Project

PurlsAndPixels classifies Heart Face Scrubby as an easy knitting pattern.

The project is suitable for knitters who understand basic skills such as:

  • Casting on
  • Knitting
  • Purling
  • Turning the work
  • Binding off
  • Weaving in yarn ends

Because the project is so small, it can also be a useful way for a newer knitter to practice recognizing knit and purl stitches without committing to a large project.

How the Heart Appears

The heart is created through texture rather than a second yarn color.

Knit and purl stitches reflect light differently and sit differently on the surface of the fabric. By positioning them deliberately, the designer creates a visible heart against the surrounding background.

This is a useful introduction to the idea of creating pictures and motifs with texture alone.

No Complicated Shaping

Despite the heart motif, you are not actually knitting a heart-shaped piece.

The scrubby itself remains a simple square, so there is no elaborate increase or decrease sequence required to shape the outside edges.

This keeps the focus on following the knit-and-purl pattern correctly.

Worked Flat

Heart Face Scrubby is knitted flat, turning the work after each row.

You can therefore make it without learning to knit in the round.

The designer lists either a circular or straight needle option, so use whichever style is most comfortable for you.

Yarn: 100% Cotton

The original pattern uses Lily Sugar 'n Cream 100% Cotton.

Cotton makes sense for this project because it is absorbent, reusable and washable.

You are not limited to the exact original brand, however. The designer notes that another worsted-weight cotton yarn can be used.

Only About 9.5 Yards per Scrubby

This project requires remarkably little yarn.

Approximately 9.5 yards / 8.7 meters per scrubby

That makes Heart Face Scrubby an excellent project for small amounts of cotton yarn left over from washcloths, dishcloths or other household projects.

According to the designer, a 95-yard skein can make roughly ten scrubbies, although actual usage varies with yarn and tension.

Needles

The published needle size is:

US 7 / 4.5 mm

PurlsAndPixels lists both a long circular needle and a short straight needle as options.

The circular needle is still used for flat knitting in this project; you do not join the stitches in the round.

Gauge

The published gauge is:

19 stitches × 26 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm in stockinette

Exact gauge is less critical here than it would be for a fitted sweater, but it still affects the size and density of your finished scrubby.

Finished Size

An interesting detail is that the cotton fabric changes slightly after washing.

The designer gives an unwashed measurement of approximately:

3 × 3.5 inches

After washing in cold water as directed, the scrubby is approximately:

3 × 3 inches

This is a useful reminder to judge reusable cotton projects after washing, not only immediately after binding off.

Make One Before Making a Whole Set

Because each scrubby takes so little yarn, make one complete sample and wash it before producing a large batch.

This allows you to check:

  • The finished size
  • How much your cotton shrinks
  • Whether you like the fabric density
  • How clearly the heart motif appears
  • Whether the texture feels suitable for your intended use

A Great Scrap-Yarn Project

Small leftovers of cotton yarn can be awkward to use because there may not be enough for a dishcloth or larger project.

Heart Face Scrubbies solve that problem nicely.

You can make each one in a different color and gradually turn leftover yarn into a coordinated reusable set.

Make a Set in Different Colors

The textured heart works without colorwork, so every scrubby can be made from a single shade.

Try making a collection in:

  • Soft pastels
  • Natural cotton shades
  • Different tones of one color
  • Bright scrap-yarn colors
  • Seasonal or gift-themed palettes

A Small Handmade Gift Idea

These scrubbies can also become part of a small handmade gift set.

Several knitted cotton scrubbies paired with soap, a washcloth or other personal-care items can make a thoughtful handmade package without requiring a large amount of knitting time.

They are particularly useful when you want to give something handmade but do not know the recipient's clothing size.

Keep the Heart Motif Easy to See

A smooth solid-color cotton yarn will usually show the textured heart more clearly than a highly variegated or fuzzy yarn.

If the heart motif is the main reason you chose this pattern, consider stitch definition when selecting your yarn.

Watch Your Knit and Purl Placement

The square itself is simple, but the heart depends on placing the textured stitches correctly.

If you accidentally knit where the pattern requires a purl, part of the heart can disappear into the background.

Check each motif row before continuing too far.

Written Instructions and Chart

The designer provides both written instructions and a knitting chart.

If you are new to charts, this is a particularly friendly project for practicing because the motif is small and easy to recognize.

You can also use the written instructions if that format feels more natural to you.

Care

PurlsAndPixels provides washing guidance for scrubbies made with the recommended materials.

The designer suggests washing in cold water, either by hand or on a delicate machine cycle, with low-heat tumble drying or laying flat to dry.

If you substitute another yarn, follow the care instructions for that yarn instead.

Free Pattern vs Printable PDF

Good to Know

You may see a price for Heart Face Scrubby while searching online. That price is for the designer's optional printable PDF. The complete pattern can still be read free on the official PurlsAndPixels website.

This distinction is important because the presence of a paid PDF does not mean the free pattern has disappeared.

If you prefer to knit directly from the website, use the free version. If you prefer a clean printable copy for offline use, the designer offers that separately.

Is Heart Face Scrubby Still Free?

Yes.

Liz Chandler currently provides the complete Heart Face Scrubby knitting pattern free to read on PurlsAndPixels.

The pattern was originally published in 2019 and has since been revised by the designer.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Liz Chandler's complete copyrighted row-by-row instructions or chart. Use the official PurlsAndPixels page for the current pattern.

Get the Free Heart Face Scrubby Pattern

Visit Liz Chandler's official PurlsAndPixels page to read the complete pattern for free:

Get the Free Heart Face Scrubby Pattern →

You can also view its Ravelry record for project examples and pattern details:

View Heart Face Scrubby on Ravelry →

Explore More Small Knitting Projects

Small projects are excellent for practicing new stitches, using leftover yarn and making quick handmade gifts.

Before You Start

Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton yarn and make one scrubby before committing to a full set.

Follow the designer's current instructions carefully so the knit and purl stitches form the heart correctly, then wash your first sample to see its final size and texture.

With only about 9.5 yards of yarn required for each one, Heart Face Scrubby is a wonderfully low-risk project for practicing textured knitting — and a useful way to turn small cotton leftovers into something practical.

Pattern credit: Heart Face Scrubby was designed by Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels and first published in 2019. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to PurlsAndPixels. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions or chart.

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