Washcloths are great beginner projects and quickly become a must-have item for your home. They are infinitely reusable if washed and cared for correctly.
This pattern is quick and easy to follow which uses just two stitches - the knit and purl stitch.
You will need:
50g cotton DK yarn
4mm knitting needles
Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends
Scissors
Needles - I prefer to use bamboo needs as I like that they are very light weight and have a soft grip to keep your stitches in place while you knit without causing any snagging. KnitPro and Pony are good, reliable brands - you can find a Pony Bamboo pair of needles here.
Tapestry Needles - tapestry needles are large, blunt needles with a large ‘eye’. These needles allow you to thread your loose ends and to weave these in to finish your item neatly. You can find a Pony brand set of needles here.
Sizing and Tension
A washcloth for the bathroom will usually be between 6” - 11” square, you can choose the size that is best for you. As a guide, the washcloth pictured is 6” square. To adjust the size of your cloth you will need to add more or fewer stitches when you cast on making sure to keep the total number of stitches cast on in multiples of three.
This pattern is simple to master and the Waffle Stitch can be used for many items such as blankets, dishcloths, and scarves as the pattern creates a nice, flat piece without the need for a border.
Download a free PDF version of this pattern here.
Knitting Abbreviations
K - Knit
P - Purl
Pattern
Cast On: Begin your cloth by casting on 24 stitches, I like to use the long tail cast on method for a neat cast on edge.
Row 1: * K1, P2, repeat from * to the end of the row.
Row 2: *K2, P1, repeat from * to the end of the row.
Row 3: Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Purl all stitches.
Repeat these four rows until your piece measures 6”. Bind off all stitches and use your tapestry needle to weave in any loose ends.
Finishing
Finish your cloth by blocking to create the desired shape. Dampen your cloth then pin this onto a soft, clean, flat surface and allow to dry; a towel on a table top or large cushion works quite well for smaller items. Make sure to use pins that wont rust and to measure your item to get the sides pinned to an even shape.
