The Ember & Ash Dragon Scale Dishcloth: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Fierce Kitchen Essential

Unleash Your Inner Fire: Knit the Ember & Ash Dragon Scale Dishcloth

Transform your kitchen into a realm of fiery elegance with this uniquely textured dishcloth. Featuring a dramatic dragon scale stitch pattern in deep charcoal and smoldering ember tones, this pattern offers a satisfying knit that creates a thick, absorbent, and visually striking cloth. It's as functional as it is conversation-starting—a perfect handmade gift or a fierce addition to your own home.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream or similar worsted-weight 100% cotton yarn: 1 skein each of 'Black' (Color A) and 'Hot Orange' (Color B). Approximately 60 yards total.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles
• Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (blocked)
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pattern Notes

The dragon scale pattern is created by alternating slipped stitches and yarn overs. The cloth is worked flat from the bottom up. The pattern is a multiple of 6 + 2 stitches. For this cloth, we cast on 32 stitches.

Cast On

With Color A (Black), cast on 32 stitches using your preferred method.

Border (Rows 1-4)

Work a garter stitch border to frame the scales:

• Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 3 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 4 (WS): Knit all stitches.

Dragon Scale Pattern (Rows 5-24)

Now we begin the textured scales. Repeat these 8 rows three times total (Rows 5-12 three times), then work Rows 5-6 once more.

• Row 5 (RS, Color A): Knit 3, *slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back (wyib), knit 5; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 1 wyib, knit 3.
• Row 6 (WS, Color A): Purl 3, *slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front (wyif), purl 5; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 1 wyif, purl 3.
• Row 7 (RS, Color B): Knit 3, *knit 1, yarn over (yo), knit 2 together (k2tog), knit 2; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, knit 1, yo, k2tog, knit 1.
• Row 8 (WS, Color B): Purl all stitches.
• Row 9 (RS, Color A): Knit 3, *knit 5, slip 1 wyib; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, knit 4.
• Row 10 (WS, Color A): Purl 3, *purl 5, slip 1 wyif; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, purl 4.
• Row 11 (RS, Color B): Knit 3, *knit 2, yo, k2tog, knit 2; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, knit 4.
• Row 12 (WS, Color B): Purl all stitches.

Repeat Rows 5-12 two more times (total of 3 pattern repeats). Then work Rows 5-6 once more.

Border (Rows 25-28)

Finish with a matching garter stitch border:

• Row 25 (RS): With Color A, knit all stitches.
• Row 26 (WS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 27 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 28 (WS): Knit all stitches.

Bind Off & Finishing

Bind off all stitches loosely knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.

Blocking

Block the dishcloth by wetting it thoroughly with lukewarm water. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat on a towel, gently stretching to open up the scale pattern. Allow to dry completely. This step is crucial for the scales to fully emerge and for the cloth to lie flat.

Your Ember & Ash Dragon Scale Dishcloth is now ready to conquer your kitchen! Enjoy the fierce texture and the satisfying knit.