Sara (Dish) dish cloth

Sara (Dish) Dishcloth by Duke of Nikko

What is Being Made

The Sara dishcloth is a reversible knitted dishcloth featuring a Japanese Kanji character design. The pattern creates a functional kitchen textile approximately 9 inches wide by 7 inches high (23cm x 18cm). The Kanji character Sara (皿) means "dish" in Japanese, making this an aesthetically meaningful dishcloth that combines utility with cultural design elements. This downloadable knitting pattern is designed by Duke of Nikko and is suitable for crafters seeking a beginner-level project with intermediate technique requirements.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Sara dishcloth employs double knitting as its primary advanced technique, which allows the pattern to be reversible and display the Kanji character design on both sides of the finished fabric. Double knitting is a specialized knitting method that creates a dense, two-sided fabric by working with two colors simultaneously, resulting in a reversible textile where the pattern appears correctly on both the front and back. The base stitch structure is stockinette stitch worked flat, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric surface. This combination of techniques produces a durable, visually interesting dishcloth that showcases the intricate Kanji design from either side.

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished product:

• Yarn: Lily Cotton The Original Sugar'n Cream in two colors—Bright Navy (Color A) and Hot Green (Color B). Each color requires 40 yards or 35 meters (0.8 ounces or 25 grams). One ball of each color produces one dishcloth, though a single ball of each color can yield two dishcloths total.
• Needles: US #4 (3.5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Additional Tools: Tapestry needle and scissors for weaving in yarn ends

Yarn Weight and Gauge

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn in a cotton fiber content, specifically the Lily Cotton Sugar'n Cream brand. The required gauge is 13 stitches and 23 rows per 4 inches (10cm) when working double knitting stockinette stitch in a flat knitting method. Achieving this gauge is essential for producing a dishcloth of the correct finished dimensions.

Skill Level

While the pattern is designated as beginner-level, it requires advanced skills in double knitting. This means the pattern is best suited for crafters who have foundational knitting experience and are ready to tackle the intermediate-to-advanced technique of double knitting, which involves managing two colors and creating a reversible fabric structure.