Free knitting pattern: Washcloth Quartet

A washcloth is a great project for the beginner knitter. It’s also a wonderful gift. This quartet ranges from the simplest garter stitch cloth, to a more advanced openwork cloth.

Skill Level Beginner to easy (knitting basics plus basic lace)

Yarn Each cloth requires about 40 yds of worsted or heavy worsted yarn in cotton, bamboo, or cotton/bamboo blend

Finished Measurements Each cloth is approximate 6" (15cm) square

Tension/gauge 4 stitches = 1 inch. Correct gauge is not essential for this project.

Needles One set 4.5mm needles

Other Supplies Tapestry needle

 

Garter Stitch Washcloth

Cast on 24 stitches.
All rows: Knit.
Work a total 42 rows.
Bind off.

This garter stitch is given extra color and texture by knitting a strand of cotton yarn together with a strand of lighter cotton thread.

 

Garter Stitch Stripe Washcloth

Cast on 24 stitches.
Knit 6 rows.
*Purl 1 row.
Knit 5 rows.
Repeat from * 5 times.
(Total of 41 rows).
Bind off.

Sand Stitch Washcloth

Cast on 24 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *K1, P1. Repeat from *.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: *P1, K1. Repeat from *.
Repeat the above 4 rows eight more times.
Row 37: Knit
Bind off.

Dewdrop Washcloth

Cast on 25 stitches.
Row 1: K2, *p3, k3. Repeat from *, end last repeat k2 instead of k3.
Row 2: P2, *k3, p3. Rep from *, end last rep p2 instead of p3.
Row 3: K2, *p3, k3. Rep from *, end last rep k2 instead of k3.
Row 4: K2, *yo, sl1-k2 tog-psso, yo, k3. Rep from *, end last rep k2 instead of k3.
Row 5: P2, *k3, p3. Rep from *, end last rep p2 instead of p3.
Row 6: K2, *p3, k3. Rep from *, end last rep k2 instead of k3.
Row 7: P2, *k3, p3. Rep from *, end last rep p2 instead of p3.
Row 8: K2 tog, *yo, k3, yo, sl1-k2 tog-psso. Rep from *, end last rep ssk instead of sl1-k2 tog-psso.
Repeat Rows 1-8 three more times. Then repeat rows 1-3.
Bind off.

The Dewdrop Pattern, from Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns is a great pattern for learning openwork. It has a small repeat, is easy to remember, and lies flat.

Finishing

Wet the cloth thoroughly. Lay flat, shaping into leaf, let dry. Weave in ends.