Nr. 178 Disney Belle 89 stitches

Nr. 178 Disney Belle 89 Stitches Knitted Dishcloth

What Is Being Made

This is a beginner-friendly knitted dishcloth featuring a Disney Belle design. The finished piece measures 28 x 35 cm and uses a total of 89 cast-on stitches to create a functional kitchen textile with an integrated decorative pattern inspired by the Disney character Belle.

Craft and Project Type

This is a knitting project designed as a dishcloth, making it both decorative and practical for everyday kitchen use. The pattern was test knitted by Irene Hornbech and is classified as a beginner difficulty level, making it suitable for knitters who are new to the craft or looking to practice fundamental techniques.

Techniques and Skills Required

The pattern requires the following core knitting techniques:

• Cast on: The foundation technique used to create the initial 89 stitches on the needle
• Knit stitch: The basic right knitting stitch that forms the primary fabric structure
• Purl stitch: The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and pattern variation
• Slipping stitches: A technique where the first stitch of every row is slipped purlwise with yarn held at the back of the work, creating a neat edge finish
• Ribbed edging: The pattern begins with alternating knit and purl stitches (k1, p1 pattern) to create a structured border frame around the design

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a straightforward stitch vocabulary appropriate for beginners:

• Knit (k): Creates smooth, V-shaped columns in the fabric
• Purl (p): Produces the reverse texture, essential for creating the Belle character design through contrast
• Slip stitch (slipped purlwise): Used on edge stitches for a professional, finished appearance
• Ribbed knit-purl combination: The alternating k1, p1 pattern creates an elastic, textured border

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 100% cotton yarn in a 4-ply weight. You will need 186 yards (170 meters) of yarn, which equals 1 ball of 50 grams. The yarn can be worked in any color of your choice, allowing for creative customization while maintaining the pattern structure.

Needles: A 30 cm (30-inch) straight knitting needle in size 3.25 mm (U.S. size 3) is required. This needle size is appropriate for 4-ply yarn and will produce the correct gauge for the finished measurements.

Pattern Structure and Design

The pattern uses a combination of stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) and strategic stitch placement to create the Belle character motif. The design incorporates vertical lines and patterned sections that emerge through the placement of knit stitches against purl backgrounds, creating a charted appearance without requiring color changes. This technique makes the pattern accessible for beginners while producing a visually interesting finished piece.

Finished Dimensions

The completed dishcloth measures 28 centimeters wide by 35 centimeters in length, making it a practical size for kitchen use while being substantial enough to display the Disney Belle design clearly.