Washcloth Quartet Free Knitting Pattern

Washcloth Quartet Free Knitting Pattern

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.

The humble washcloth can be re-invented by experimenting with color, texture and fibre. They don’t take long to knit, so you can be as generous as you like when you make them as gifts. Eight cloths are shown here folded, stacked and tied together with a broad ribbon.

measurements
each cloth is approximate 6″ (15cm) square

materials
each cloth requires about 40 yds of worsted or heavy worsted yarn in cotton, bamboo, or cotton/bamboo blend
supplies one set 4.5mm needles
tapestry needle
tension/gauge 4 stitches = approx 1″

abbreviations
k knit
p purl
yo yarn over
k2 tog knit two together
ssk slip 2 stitches knitwise, then
knit together through back loop
sl 1-k2 tog-psso slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit next 2
together, then pass slipped stitch
over the stitch just knitted

Pattern 1
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 Washcloth
Cast on 24 stitches.
All rows: Knit.
Work a total 42 rows.
Bind off.

Garter Stitch Washcloth

Pattern 2
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.

Garter Stitch Knitting Pattern

Pattern 3
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.

Sand Stitch Knitting Pattern

Pattern 4
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.

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.

About the designer

Megan is a web designer-visual artist-knitter whose frequent yarn-fondling disconcerts her friends and loved ones. Megan has been knitting for over thirty years and likes to share. Her website, Tricksy Knitter, can be found at http://www.tricksyknitter.com.

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