Last updated on December 26th, 2022 at 02:56 pm
Basic Knitted Dishcloth Pattern
by Jane Lake
My mother-in-law knitted these dishcloths for me; she knits them by the dozen, because we all plead for more whenever we visit with her. She’s been making them for years and I don’t think she ever had a pattern – but now she does because we wrote this one together.
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Basic Knitted Dishcloth Pattern
Supplies:
One ball of dishcloth cotton yarn
Size 6 or 7 knitting needles (US)
You may also like to see my Grating Stitch Dishcloth or Basketweave Dishcloth free knitting patterns.
Free Knitting Pattern:
Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: Knit 4
Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit across the row.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches.
Row 3: Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat Row 3 until you have 4 stitches left on the needle.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Personal Update:
We lost my mother-in-law a few years ago and the neat piles of multi-colored dishcloths that she had always kept in the sitting room (given to anyone who asked) are all gone. Her daughter finished the last one, which was about half done and had been left beside her knitting chair awaiting completion.
Family members have a few of the originals stashed away, but her daughter and I make sure there are always more for Christmas. We follow this simple pattern so that a small family tradition, which began with my mother-in-law, now continues with all the loving memories, and practical uses, that it always had for all of us.
Jude says
I have found this makes a quick easy baby blanket when enlarged.
Jane Lake says
That is intriguing! So you just keep going until you reach the width that you want? I love this idea so much that I may have to try it myself! Thank you, Jude!
rachel paddock says
I have knited almost 20 over the past week and every one of them end up with a really long point on the finished end.. i increase one every roll the decreased one every roll what am i doing wrong. to get it preety square i have to decrease two per roll for almost 10 rolls.
Jacqueline LaBoucane says
I always have a long point at the end… I can’t figure it out either…
Sally Mentzer says
It took Mr years to figure out why my last corner was just not right, I paid attention to what or if I was doing different and I seemed to be trying to knit more tight, when I relaxed it got better, not perfect by all means,my friend told me if it was perfect it wouldn’t look hand made.
Jane Lake says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Sally! When I started knitting these, I remember having an issue with the last corner myself, probably for the same reason. But they’re still my go-to dishcloth pattern and I get them nice and square now. I like the idea of just relaxing to make it better. 🙂
Liz says
My mom has always made the dishcloths also. Just last year she stopped as her eyesight is very bad. She is 94 years old. I too found a dishcloth half done beside her chair when she moved out of her house. I finished it. I never found her pattern and she cannot remember what it is. When I found this pattern it not only put a smile on my face but also the faces of my sisters and friends as now I am keeping up the tradition. THANK YOU!
Jane Lake says
Liz, I just love this story and you made me smile as well. Thank you too!
Karen Taylor says
I AM LOOKING FOR THE PATTERN FOR THE MATCHING DISH TOWEL TO GO WITH THE BASIC KNITTED DISHCLOTH PATTERN. I HAVE SEEN IT MADE UP BUT AM AT A LOSS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT.
PLEASE HELP!
Wynn says
Did you find it? I like that one too!
Susan Greeni says
I love these but when I bind off my corner ends up stretched out so I have 3 normal corners and a stretched out one. What am I doing wrong
Peggy Donahoo says
I have this same problem…..hope she puts answer on here….
Jane Lake says
I’m not sure if this is a normal part of the pattern or an individual thing. I went to Ravelry and checked the gallery of over 400 dishcloths knitted from this pattern, but I couldn’t see anyone talking about a corner problem. One of the corners tends to look a little different than the other three, it is true, but I’ve never found it an issue.
grandmimi says
Thanks, a friend of mine made me one ……..and I have begged for more. She has not come forth – and I hardly blame her as her hands are quite busy with other things. But now I can make my own – and it will look exactly the same!
Jane Lake says
Love this story. Thanks for sharing.
Rhonda says
The best dishcloth pattern ever! Simple, super durable and great for everyday use and gift giving. You’re right, they’re so much better than store bought. I make tons in white for easy washing/drying. Then more colorful ones for special occasions.
Jane Lake says
Glad you enjoy it, Rhonda. I agree with everything you said, and I, too, like making colorful dishcloths for special days. Thanks for sharing!
bonnie Beamish says
I really appreciate having this pattern
Jane Lake says
Thank you, Bonnie. I think you’ll find it is a perfect pattern for dishcloths that you’re making as gifts, because it is homemade and so much better than most dishcloths you can buy. I make these for myself, and go into a dishcloth knitting frenzy close to Christmas.
Thanks for your feedback!