Waffle Wash Cloth Knitting Pattern

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.

Patchwork Blanket Pattern - Part 2

You can find Part 1 of the Patch Stripe pattern on my blog here

Step 3 - Stocking Stitch

Stocking stitch is the second stitch pattern that any knitter must learn - the stitch uses just knit and purl . The ‘right side’ of your work is knitted and the ‘wrong side’ is purled which gives you one smooth side and one more textured side.

The smooth side of stocking stitch…

…the textured side of stocking stich.

Stocking stitch has less vertical stretch than Garter stitch and makes a great base for all knitting projects. In this blanket is makes for a smooth stripe to contrast with the more textured stripes.

To work your Stocking Stitch stripe work these two rows:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: K10, Purl all stitches to the last ten stitches, K10

Repeat these two rows until your new stripe measures 5” (13cm). The K10 at the start and end of each wrong side row will create your garter stitch side borders.

Step 4 - Moss Stitch

The Moss Stitch is formed by alternative knit and purl across each row. The moss stitch is reversible, meaning that is looks the same on the right and wrong sides, and is soft, textured, and has a unifrom stretch. Moss stitch is great for blankets and scarves and it is reversible and, as used for borders, the edges wont roll.

To make your moss stitch stripe work the following rows:

Row 1: K10, ^K1, P1, repeat from ^ to the last 10 stitches, K10

Row 2: K10, ^P1, K1, repeat from ^ to the last 10 stitches, K10

Repeat these two rows until your stripe measures 5” (13cm) finishing on an odd side row with a right side row facing for your next stripe.

Your blanket should now measure 15” (38cm) in total.

Patchwork Blanket Pattern - Part 1

Knitting a blanket for your home or as a gift for a loved one is a traditional first ‘big’ project for new knitters. Those that are new to knitting, or those who are finding their way back to an old hobby, need to find a balance between a simple stitch that’s easy to master and a pattern that is intricate enough to keep the piece interesting. The Patch Stripe Blanket pattern uses a mix of essential knitter stitches to make a pretty, structured, and (almost) reversible blanket.

This pattern can be scaled up and down to make a bedspread or a baby blanket, this pattern is going to make the best gift.

I have broken down this pattern into steps which you can complete as you like; a goal of one stripe per week is reasonable and achievable but hardcore knitters will find a stripe per day is manageable. You can follow along here as I add weekly updates. You can find a PDF of the full pattern available to purchase from my shop here

You will need:

• 700g Aran Stylecraft Special in Duck Egg

• 5mm Circular needles

• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Sizing & Tension

The Patch Stripe Blanket is made from five different stitches each with similar tensions. Your blanket begins with garter stitch, a four inch square should contain 14 stitches and 28 rows. My blanket is 42” wide and 55” long, to make your blanket wider or narrower you can cast on more or fewer stitches

Step 1 - Casting On

Using your 5mm needles cast on 150 stitches using the long tail cast on method. The long tail method requires two lengths of yarn looped together to create each stitch. I find using two balls of yarn is easiest as you can cast on all of your stitches without the fear of running out of yarn. To begin, join your two strands of yarn with a knot. Use that knot to centre your length of yarn on your needles. hold each strand in your left hand with your needle in your right and begin to form your stitches.

When you have 150 stitches on your needle you are ready to begin your Garter Stitch border.

Step 2 - Garter Stitch Border

A border to your blanket will frame the piece and will also help to keep your edges straight and neat. Garter stitch is the ultimate beginners stitch which gives a classic, simple contrast to the blanket’s more intricate and textured stitches.

Garter stitch is the simplest of stitches created by knitting all stitches. To form your 5” border you will need to knit 34 rows of knit stitches. You will end on an even row (wrong side) ready to begin your next stitch on an odd numbered row (right side).