How to Knit a Dishcloth
If you are looking for a basic dishcloth knitting pattern, look no further! I have an easy knit dishcloth pattern for you. This cotton dishcloth works up quickly and has such a pretty texture, due to the simple repetitive knit stitches. Make several of these for your kitchen – you can add a loop for hanging them. These knit dishcloths would also make lovely housewarming (or hospitality) gifts.
Or…use the knitted dishcloths for potholders or trivets. Stack them up for a pretty display, too!
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.
FREE BASIC DISHCLOTH KNITTING PATTERN
How do you knit a dishcloth for beginners?
The free dishcloth knitting pattern is easy to work once you master four rows of stitching. The dishcloth is worked back and forth, with just 32 rows total. You only need to know the knit and purl stitches to work this piece, so it is perfect for beginner knitters.
What knit stitch is best for dishcloth? It is best to make a knit dishcloth using a textured pattern to stand up to kitchen use. My pattern uses the Box stitch pattern, but another popular stitch pattern is the Double Moss stitch. They both include repeats of knit and purl stitches. You could also use any of the textured knit stitches I cover in my EASY KNITTING STITCH PATTERNS for beginners. Find your favorites there, and make an easy dishcloth!
You will need the following supplies to make this cotton dishcloth:
Supplies
- Size 10 (6 mm) knitting needles
- 35-40 yards from 1 skein (approx. 317 yards) of size 5 Bulky cotton cord yarn. I used BERNAT MAKER HOME DEC in color CREAM.
- scissors
- tapestry needle
- Optional Size J (6 mm) hook to create loop for hanging
Knitting Abbreviations
CO – cast on
BO – bind off
K – knit stitch
P – purl stitch
sts – stitches
Rep – repeat
PATTERN INFORMATION
Recently I began naming my crochet and knit patterns after local New England places of interest.
This “Newbury Dishcloth” is named after the picturesque town of Newbury, MA. It is a quiet, rural town north of Boston with beautiful old farmhouses. I can imagine these knitted dishcloths hanging in one of those farmhouse kitchens or stacked up on a wooden workhorse kitchen island. They would certainly be put to good use.
The FREE cotton dishcloth knit pattern is provided below.
- but you can also get the ad-free, printable pdf pattern bundle for the coordinating DISHCLOTH, NAPKIN RINGS, and COASTERS in the ETSY SHOP! The pdf has step-by-step tutorial photos included.
Take a look at the full knitted set together….the coasters can be made with or without fringe, and the napkin rings have sweet knitted button enclosures.
Before we begin on this pattern, are you a brand new knitter? You may be interested in taking my knitting class first, to master the basics…
——————————————————————————————————————–
Do you wish you could really learn how to knit beautiful things?
Click here to master basic knitting skills in under 2 weeks – even if you are a complete beginner, intimidated by mistakes, and lack design coordination!
KNITTING COURSE —>
——————————————————————————————————————–
EASY DISHCLOTH KNITTING PATTERN
Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = 16 sts by 23 rows (in pattern). NOTE – gauge is not critical.
How do you knit a cotton dishcloth?
NOTES: You will be knitting the dishcloth in straight rows. You will work the pattern for 32 rows total, then add an optional loop for hanging. The dish cloth is reversible.
Instructions are as follows…
Knit Dishcloth Pattern
Beginning with the Size 10 (6mm) needles, cast on 22 stitches with your BULKY COTTON CORD YARN.
Row 1: K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 3: Rep Row 2.
Row 4: Rep Row 1
Rows 5-32: Rep Rows 1-4.
BO in Row 1 pattern. *Do not break yarn at the last st if adding a loop to hang the dishcloth.
Add Loop to Dishcloth (optional)
If you know how to crochet a simple chain, you can add an optional loop to hang the knit dishcloth. Proceed as follows:
- Insert a size J (6mm) crochet hook into last st.
- Ch 10 with the yarn (or to desired length).
- Sl st into same stitch at the corner.
This creates a loop to hang the dish cloth.
Fasten off.
Finishing the Dishcloth
Weave in loose ends.
Block piece to make an even square.
Important Tips for Knitting your dishcloth
Some things to keep in mind as you knit the dish cloth are:
- Make sure you have the same number of sts per row (22 in pattern).
- The dish cloth is reversible and the hook is optional.
- Feel free to adjust the width by adjusting the number of CO sts, ensuring a multiple of 4 plus 2.
- Feel free to adjust the length by adjusting the number of rows worked for a longer or shorter length.
Finished Size
The finished dishcloth measures approximately 5.5″ square as written. The added loop is about 1″ height.
Using your Cotton Dish Cloth
Now it is time to enjoy using your finished knit dishcloth! It’s sturdy enough for frequent kitchen use, and will also look lovely hanging on a peg. Make several to use as cloths and trivets in your kitchen. Sustainable knit projects are always popular and in demand. Friends would love receiving a set of these as knit gifts for the kitchen.
The dish cloth coordinates beautifully with the NAPKIN RINGS and COASTERS, too. The pattern bundle offers the coaster pattern with or without fringe:
What do you think of this free knit dishcloth pattern? If you are a beginner at knitting, you can definitely handle this! The same stitch pattern is repeated every 4 rows, and the loop is simple to add.
Don’t forget that this knitting pattern for Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn is also available in a digital pdf pattern. The pdf has helpful photo tutorials. Grab the ECO FRIENDLY KNIT BUNDLE of patterns in my Etsy shop.