Introduction: Easy Knit Dishcloth / Washcloth
I've recently become obsessed with knitting dishcloths and washcloths. I've been experimenting with creating my own designs but then thought I should try something simple. This is a very basic knit dishcloth pattern that is great for beginners. It doesn't require a lot of knitting knowledge to do and can be pretty soothing to make.
Try it out and see what you think.
If you aren't into knitting, try out my Easy Crochet Dishcloth pattern!
Step 1: Supplies and Stitches
This is the easiest dishcloth pattern out there and you aren't going to need much to make it.
Supplies:
- Cotton yarn of choice - since this is a dishcloth/washcloth, you want 100% cotton, mercerized cotton should work as well; both single and variegated colors work for this pattern
- Knitting needles size 7 (sizes 5 - 7 should work, the end size of your washcloth will depend on the needles you have, how tight or loose you want the stitches, and how thick or thin your yarn is)
- Counter (optional) - this can be helpful with keep track of stitches or rows. I didn't use it so much for this pattern, but there are future patterns I plan to make where this can be handy to have
- Yarn Needle (not pictured)
Stitches you need to know:
- Cast On (CO)
- Knit (K)
- Yarn Over (yo)
- Knit 2 Together (k2tog)
- Cast off (CO)
Step 2: Pattern
This pattern is pretty easy. You only need to know how to do a couple rows and then you pretty much repeat the rest of the time.
With the counts below, I ended up with a dishcloth that is about 6½"x6½". If you want a bigger one, just continue to increase until the sides are your desired dimensions.
Pattern:
- CO 4
- K 4
- K 2, yo, knit to end
Repeat step 3 until you have 45 stitches across (or however many you want, it will depend on your needles and yarn size, as you can see in the pictures above, mine ended up having about a 9" diagonal with 6.5" sides).
- K 1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to end
Repeat step 4 until you are down to 4 stitches
- CO
When you are done, just put the end of the yarn through your last loop, tighten it, and then hide both your ends.
How this pattern works is, each time you yarn over you are creating that "hole" along the edge of the dishcloth while also increasing each row by 1 stitch.
The reason you knit 2 together twice as you decrease is so you can continue to do the yarn over and continue the "hole" border while also decreasing 1 stitch for each row.
Step 3: Make 'em and Use 'em
Or give them as gifts. Everyone needs dishcloths and washcloths.
68 Comments
Question 11 months ago on Step 1
How much yarn will make each dish cloth?
Answer 6 months ago
It depends on how tightly you knit and what size needles you use. A published pattern will almost always tell you how much yarn you need. This one can't because it's a traditional pattern which can be varied as much as the knitter wants. But... As someone who has made this a few times, one washcloth following this pattern won't use more than one regular-sized skein of cotton yarn. (It's been a while since I've made these, so I don't remember if I can make more than one with one skein. But keep in mind that my stitches tend to be very loose, so I might be able to make fewer than you can with one skein. )
2 years ago
Wonderful! I'm trying to learn to knit right now and this is soooooooo amazing for practice
Thank you!
Reply 2 years ago
For sure, this is a great one to get started on :)
2 years ago
Awesome! Mine turned out great!
Reply 2 years ago
Great to hear :)
Question 2 years ago on Step 1
Hi. I am teaching myself to knit, and have tried twice to make these dishcloths. The first half is perfect, but when I start to reduce stitches, the holes are much bigger than in the first half. Wondering what I'm doing wrong. Thanks!
Answer 2 years ago
It would be hard to guess without seeing it. Could you share a picture? It could be the stitches are getting a bit looser at that point causing them to stretch out or maybe the YO is going the opposite way causing it to be larger?
Reply 2 years ago
Hi sorry I guess I responded in the wrong way. Here is a picture. Thanks!
Reply 2 years ago
I think they look great! I think it's just a matter of the different stitches coming out a little different. I don't think anything is wrong at all :)
Question 3 years ago on Step 1
Hello, I'd like to use this page & your pattern in a Youtube video. Is that possible? I'm teaching beginner knitting on a brand new channel, but I will link to your page in the description for credit. Thanks for considering!
Answer 3 years ago
Yes, if you link to the page that should be just fine :) I'd love to get a link to the video once it's up so I can check it out :)
Reply 3 years ago
Hi, I've posted the video! Here's the Link: https://youtu.be/O41XFF-oHUc
Reply 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing the link! Video looks great :)
Question 3 years ago on Introduction
What r the instructions for decreasing your dish cloth
Answer 3 years ago
All the directions are in Step 2, but once it is as wide as you want it you just repeat this row until you reach the end: K1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to end
Question 3 years ago on Step 3
I so excited to make these! I'm a total beginner in knitting so I know nothing! I really liked the 3 above, but could you tell me what weight yarn you used and what size needles? I did find medium weight (4) that I could easily pick up in town, but what size needles would I use to get the tight stitches? It's a 2.5 oz ball or 120 yds. Would 1 ball suffice for 1 cloth? Many thanks and many thanks for posting!
Answer 3 years ago
I used size 7 needles but I already knit pretty tight. It really depends how tight you knit. You can always start with one set and if you don't like the tightness try a smaller set. And the cotton yarn I used was also medium weight (4). If you are looking into purchasing needles and you are really into knitting, I recommend getting a kit so you have a variety of sizes.
I normal ball of cotton yarn should be enough for a dishcloth/washcloth.
Question 3 years ago on Introduction
What does CBO mean?
Answer 3 years ago
Sorry about that! It should just say CO for cast off :)