This knit dishcloth pattern is an easy project for any level knitter. All you need is cotton yarn, needles and a basic knowledge of a few knitting terms. These knit dishcloths make wonderful gifts for anyone in your life!
I took up knitting eight years ago. I was newly married and my husband was working long hours so he told me to get a hobby. I headed to Walmart and bought a small “how to knit” booklet, knitting needles and yarn. I haven’t put the needles and yarn down since. Knitting has provided me with a fun outlet to give handmade gifts.
I love knitting for babies and I just recently finished a dinosaur hat and diaper cover. Fingerless mitts are always a favorite with the tween and teen crowd. I’ve been working completing a knitted nativity for about five years now — someday I will finish! One of my all time favorite knitted items to give are simple dishcloths. They are quick, easy and can be used in either the kitchen or the bathroom and everyone loves them.
This is a very easy knitted dishcloth, simple for beginners and mindless enough for more advanced knitters to have as a project on the go. This pattern will teach you how to do a yarn over (YO) and a knit two together (K2TOG). Other than that, it’s just a simple knit stitch (K). Use any cotton yarn you like and any size needle. I usually use a slightly smaller needle, like a US 5 or US 6, because cotton stretches a bit.
Easy Knit Dishcloth
Cast on 4 stitches.
Step 1: Knit 4.
Step 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit to end of row.
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until you have 44 stitches on your needle (or more or less depending on the size cloth you want)
Step 4: Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat Step 4 until you 4 stitches remaining.
Step 5: Cast off and weave in ends.
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Do you block your washcloths?
You can but since they are constantly getting wet and used, I don’t normally worry about it.
I have been looking for a knit dish cloth “recipe” forever! I am a self-taught amateur knitter, but I do believe I can make a dishcloth! I have a couple from way back when, and I love them!!! Far superior to anything you can buy. I stumbled on to this while checking out your Amish Fried Chicken recipe (which I am going to try tonight). THANK YOU!
This is my favorite dish cloth pattern. I have used this one for years. I used this pattern to knit a trivet once. In I used 2 strands at the same time & started my decrease at 54 stiches. It made a great trivet. Because I used 2 strands it was nice & thick & I did not have to worrie about my table being ruined.
My first visit to your site. I’ll be back!
?nbsp in row 5?
That was a rogue piece of computer coding! Ignore it.
Hi Camille
Just read your web page.
Yes knitting can be very addicting, I love love it myself. Thank you for your pattern for dishcloth.
Iām living in Australia with my family. We live in a mining town with limited wool/craft supply shops. I always plan a trip to big towns for my 1/2 yearly supply as I knit, crochet and cross stitch a lot. Do you find it therapeutic to knit. Iām currently knitting 3 baby shawls for my next grandchild due at the end of the year. 2 long coats mainly in stocking stitch, with an double moss stitch side seam with lapel front.
I find since knitting, for 20 yrs plus, itās given me a hobby and an opportunity to make hand made garments for friends and family. Itās been my, Go too, for so long, sitting watching tv canāt be done unless I have a pair of knitting needles in my hands. Itās good hearing you enjoy it so much. Keep up with it Camille, looking forward to seeing more of your patterns. Only to happy to share some of my patterns. Knitting isnāt restricted to elderly people. So nice seeing younger folk enjoying to craft. Also remember to give your hands, wrists and fingers a gentle massage with dencorub or a cream that helps aid the stiffness the craft gives us. Happy knitting š
Hi Lisa! Congratulations on your 2nd grand baby! Knitting was such a needed outlet for me during my first year of marriage. I don’t make enough time for it much anymore. I’m glad you enjoy the pattern!
When you said step 1!!Knit 4,Do you Knit 4 Rows or Knit
I have been knitting for only two months and my sister gave me a small (100 yds)skein of white cotton and I am going to try this. How big are this cloths if I start decreasing at 44 stitches. I am assuming they launder well (since they are cotton)? Also, where did you get your great colors. (Sorry full of questions)
I almost always use Lily Sugar n Creme for the cloths. They have fun ombres! The size will depend a lot on your gauge, which isn’t important in this pattern but can change the size. A looser gauge will get a bigger cloth. Mine are usually about 4-5″ on the diagonal so not too big. And yes they launder great! The colors fade over time, of course. But the cloths hold up. Make sure to weave your ends in very well.
Thanks. Wish me luck.
Cotton can go smaller a?free wash so make they a little bigger āŗ
How do you weave in the ends? With the border, it’s hard for me to find a place where it won’t be obvious.
You can make the above dishcloth with number 3 crochet yarn in multiple colors. I usually use two balls. I put each in a separate plastic round container to prevent knotting and pull a thread from each ball and knit the cloth. I use two complimenting colors. They are a favorite as a gift and they are much more open weave which prevents a stinky dish rag. I can also wring the dishcloth with one hand so it’s small enough to fit into my skinny drinking glasses when doing dishes.
Thanks for the tip! I don’t crochet much!
Thank you so much for linking to my 50 Must Try Knitting patterns š I so appreciate the link!
I’m excited to try this project. I wanted to let you know there is a banner in front of your website making it very hard to view on an ipad with safari. Some sort of social media thing. It covers up the left few words of the article making it hard to read.
Can I use 100% acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
Hmmm. I don’t often use acrylic so I’m not 100% sure. I use cotton because it’s washable. It’s worth a try!
I like to use acrylic for dishes… it seems like it scrubs better and it keeps good color when you bleach them. Cotton though when I’m making wash cloths. I also like to make my dish cloths the size of a sponge so others don’t get them mixed up w/ pot holders and get a burn.
I may have to try a few in acrylic. I can see where they would stand up better to doing dishes!
i am a beginner, and this is excellent basic information, thank you.
Happy Knittitng!
I have been knitting these dishcloths for going on 30 years now. Cotton is the way to go. Watch for it on sale or get a big cone of it at Walmart. You won’t be disappointed. Not only do they work better but they make great gifts.
Caught my own mistake. Crocheting too much. Turning chains are for crocheting. Duh!
Love your dishcloths and the colors are gorgeous! I am an intermediate knitter too and wondering about no turning chains. From what I have always done, there are those turning chains. So there are none, right? Thank you.
I’m a intermediate knitter, been knitting most my life and am loving making these dish cloths. I love using the varigated cotton yarns, tho’ some of the solids are beautifully done up also..thanks for a little different pattern for me to use….Love your ideas and work..
Thanks for posting this easy pattern! I am a novice knitter, but I was able to follow along and made a very cute dish cloth. I found a pretty variegated yarn that worked perfectly, and have since gone back to buy half a dozen other colors to try!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Have fun!
This was the very first thing I knitted when I started learning to hold my needles and follow a pattern. I used this pattern with very large knitting needles and two strands of thread. I used white and baby blue to make a baby blanket. I am still “new” to things about knitting. I have crocheted all my life. I am still learning and having fun.
That’s such a great idea to make a blanket with this pattern. It’s so versatile!
How do you get the pretty edging? can you tell me? I don’t think the pattern does this.
thanks
Michelle
It should! The yarn overs create the little line/gaps around the edges. So you have 2 stitches around the edge, the line of yarn overs, and then the dish cloth center.
Always rehrisfeng to hear a rational answer.
Hi I am a new knitter and I was wondering how do you repeat step 2 until you have 44 ?
Hi Cassie! Yes, keep repeating Step 2 until you have 44 stitches (or whatever amount you want). Then repeat Step 4 until you are back down to 4 stitches!
I’ve been looking for a pattern to make these and this seems perfect! I featured these on my blog today (hope it’s okay) at http://whittskitsfabricscrafts.blogspot.com/2013/03/find-it-free-on-friday-5-knitting.html
Thanks so much!
Carrie
Don’t think this pattern really works. Is row 3 correct or have you made an error? The pattern won’t decrease at row 3!
Hi Jill – you repeat Row 2, increasing, until you have 44 stitches on your needle, or until it’s as big as you want it. And then you begin Row, decreasing. But I will change the instructions and delete “row” since technically you aren’t on Row 3.
Thanks for the reply. No, I meant (the newly named) step 4 is wrong. If you knit 1, knit 2 together, then yarn over, you aren’t decreasing the stitches at all – you just keep knitting with 44 stitches.
I _think_ you need another knit 2 together after the yo on step 4, but let me know if you dont agree š
Ha! Yes, you are right. š That’s what I get for trying to write down a knitting pattern! Thanks for catching the errata.
Love the colorful wash clothes.
Thank you!
I love these. My daughter gave me some apple green colored ones for Chritsmas last year! Thank you for sharing yours at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
Apple green! Nice!
I love your dishclothes. I am going to have to make some. I have a link party and would love to have you share this and any other posts. It is called Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party. The link to the party is
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html
I hope to see you there.
Have a great week.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
I have a couple of these dishcloths people have given me, and I love them though mine are starting to wear out. Unfortunately, I only know how to crochet, and while I’ve tried a few crochet patterns for dishcloths, I’ve never found one I like as much as this knitting pattern.
great job, love the colours
So lovely!!! Love the colors! Thanks so much for sharing! I’d love for you to visit my blog.
Happy week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
What a great craft and gift! Wish I had patience to knit. My mom tried to teach me how to crochet but I can’t sit still long enough!
Thanks for linking up at Glued To My Crafts. Hope to see you next week!
Your dishcloths are Really cute! What a fun gift.
Those are too cute! I actually got some as a gift a few months back!!