My Favorite Knit Dishcloth
The humble homemade knit dishcloth is a favorite in many households, including mine. They last a long time, wash up well, they’re sturdy for cleaning up. Plus, it’s one of those fast little knitting projects that gives you the quick satisfaction of seeing your finished project. I can often knit one up in an evening, provided I sit myself down on the couch soon enough after dinner.
So for all the knitters out there, I thought I would share my favorite dishcloth pattern. This is the basic “knit on the diagonal” pattern that’s been around for years. I like it because it doesn’t take a whole lot of thinking or keeping track of a complex pattern stitch. It’s a fun and relaxing way to Make Your Own dishcloths.
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Click here to see my updated & printable version of this pattern:
2 Ways to Knit Diagonal Dishcloths
To knit this dishcloth you will need:
1 Ball Cotton Yarn (Such as Sugar ‘N Cream Brand)
Size 10 Straight Knitting Needles
Knitting Instructions:
Cast on 4 stitches
Knit next 2 rows
Next Row: Knit 2, Yarn Over, Knit across to end
Repeat this row until you have 47 stitches
Next Row: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Yarn Over, Knit 2 together, Knit across to end
Repeat this row until you have 4 stitches left
Knit 2 rows even
Bind Off
My one frustration is that after making the dishcloth, there’s not quite enough yarn left in the ball to make another one, and so I have a nice little collection of remainder balls that I need to get busy and find a way to use up.
Try using a smaller size needle such as a 7 or 8 and make your cloth a little smaller; don’t work until there are 47 stitches before decreasing – try fewer stitches. I bet you’ll get one and a half dishcloths, if not 2, out of one skein.
Try using a smaller size needle such as a 7 or 8 and make your cloth a little smaller; don’t work until there are 47 stitches before decreasing – try fewer stitches. I bet you’ll get one and a half dishcloths, if not 2, out oc one skein.
Hi Bev, I am glad I found you I love to make things, but I am not creative I can follow instructions very happy and having fun at the same time. May You have a Blessed Year as I feel blessed. Thank You Diana
I have made tons of these washcloths. with cotton yarn and it works well for the dishes. And then I began to make them with soft cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby and a smaller needle (size5) for washcloths for a homeless ministry in Arizona.
Thank you
I just have some multi- colored dishcloths using the scrap yarn. I don’t mind keeping those for myself. They work just as well!😬
I use the leftover small partial balls on circular wedge cloths each wedge takes about 1/4 skein.
That’s a great idea DeeDee!
Great! Perhaps with the left overs you could knit potholders, pot trivets, or coasters!
I use same pattern to 42 stitches. End off. I make a row of single crochet around edge, then crochet 1, then do a picot stitch. I can use up a lot of scraps that way. I try to use the bigger balls as a much better buy
I have used the leftover yarn for coasters. Same pattern but only went up to 25 stitches. I have also crocheted facial scrubbier with the leftover yarn.
Thanks for sharing pattern
Make two dishrags from one ball of yarn: Variegated and striped balls have about 1/3 less than solid colors.
Divide yarn at half way point by
Finding both ends and following yarn to the half way point. Cut yarn there.
Take both ends of each half, and follow to center point of each piece. Mark the center. I use a loose knot.
Start dishrag according to directions. Instead of going to 42 stitches, I untie knot when I get to it and begin decrease side of dishrag.
Dishrags will be different sizes, but you’ll use up the yarn. I’m ok with that. I prefer a smaller dishrag,Hubby prefers a larger one. He goes for a solid, I go for a stripe of variegated one.
Of course, counting the stitches after you get to the mid point of each type would prevent the unwinding steps next time 🙂
I love this pattern ! It is great on the go ! I often join the ends of the various colors to make another ” heinz 57″ dishcloth !
Yes, a knit dishcloth is a project I often taken along with me too. The perfect small sized project for on the go. 🙂
Thanks for posting; this was exactly what I was looking for.
so glad to find this pattern,i have made many ,now to do more
thanks
In response to your frustration with not having enough to complete another one: I take 2 colors of leftover and do the slipknot with the colors together and cast on with both together. Then I split them and knit across and back and switch colors. It works really well and creates a set of 3 dishcloths!
I might have to give that a try Cindy – thanks for the idea!
I like a smaller dishcloth so I stop at 37 instead of 47 stitches, leaving enough yarn to make a second cloth.
Good idea Karen! This pattern is easy to adapt like you said – just stop at a lower number of stitches.
I knit many cotton dishcloths and use the scraps in my “Joseph Cloths” as in Joseph’s coat of many colors!
Just noticed someone else commented about the scraps. I also use the same pattern up to 24 sts and make ‘mug rugs’. I also live 3 blocks from the Hudsonville yarn shop! Is it still open?
That’s a good way to use up those scraps Kathy, and yes, Country Needleworks is still open!
Thank you
Ran out and got some Sugar ‘n’ Cream today to try the scrubber and to do many more dishcloths 🙂 Again, Thanks!
Thank you ! 😉
This is the dishcloth my Mom used for years. She left two unfinished when she passed away two years ago. I finally finished them last month and have made several more using this pattern. Love it! Her grandchildren will still be getting them 🙂 I wish your link for the scrubber wasn’t a broken link… (http://tankhouse.knitability.com/freepatterns/DishClothDuo.pdf) Do you still have the scrubber pattern? Would love to do that as well for extras 🙂 Thank you!
I use the scraps to make the same kind of dishcloth. when the scrap runs out, I tie a new color to it. It doesn’t matter if they are “pretty”. They function the same way.
So true Dayna! When it comes to dishcloths, I think I value function over prettiness too.
just a thought about your leftover yarn…..I make coasters. I am a crocheter and also love the dishcloth and use the “seed” stitch.
I love this pattern. Simple, classic, and beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh I am so glad I could provide that pattern for you. Now you can carry on with knitting dishcloths and have the happy memory of your Mom too. Blessings to you!
Oh I am so glad I could provide that pattern for you. Now you can carry on with knitting dishcloths and have the happy memory of your Mom too. Blessings to you!
Thank you soooo much for this pattern. The finished one you show looks like the one my Mother always made. She passed away last summer with one on the needles. I couldn't find any directions. Now I can finish it and do more for all the kids and grandkids. We all have them, thanks to Mom, though they are a bit worn now. Thanks to you we can all get new ones and remember Mom/Nana at the same time.. 😉
Thank you soooo much for this pattern. The finished one you show looks like the one my Mother always made. She passed away last summer with one on the needles. I couldn't find any directions. Now I can finish it and do more for all the kids and grandkids. We all have them, thanks to Mom, though they are a bit worn now. Thanks to you we can all get new ones and remember Mom/Nana at the same time.. 😉
I like knitting this pattern with size 6 needles for a tighter weaved cloth which stretches when wet. I can usually make 3 dish cloths with one ball!
I like knitting this pattern with size 6 needles for a tighter weaved cloth which stretches when wet. I can usually make 3 dish cloths with one ball!
Regarding that “little bit of yarn left over” from making a washcloth. I crochet mine into a flat circular trivet . These are great places to set hot cookie sheets, pots and frying pans while your cooking. Easy to store and they match my dishcloths!
oopsie…in my last comment I meant to say “coloured ribbon” not coloured yarn, although I think that might work too…lol.
Hi Bev. This is also my favourite. You can use the leftover skein to make coasters. Do the same pattern but only with a total of 26 sts. I thread thru the edging holes with coloured yarn and make a bow at the joining section to pretty them up. I've made 100's of them as gifts and everyone loves them. 🙂 Happy Knitting from luvs2cook 🙂
Bev,
you could make striped ones, using some of the left over yarn.
Knit a length, tie it to another color and then repeat.
I may give you some interesting designs!
hugs
m
When I make this I only knit to 41 stitches and then start the decrease. I can get another dish cloth from the ball. If I use the 47 stitches I make a smaller dishcloth and love the small ones.
Last month I started learning basic knitting, following some great online videos and a good book. I've been knitting dish cloths to practice a variety of stitches and patterns, with the added benefit that I'm building a cache of gifts for friends. So far, your favorite dish cloth pattern is also mine. It's quick and easy, fun (this was my first corner-to-corner pattern), pretty (with the lace-like border), and, as someone else mentioned, it has just the right texture and stretch for a really good dish cloth. Thank you! — Marcia
Laura – I can't wait to try this scrubber pattern. Thank You!! It's looks like the perfect way to use up leftovers.
Thanks for the pattern!
I found this pattern for a scrubber to use up the leftovers and it gets pretty close. http://tankhouse.knitability.com/freepatterns/DishClothDuo.pdf. With the cloth that I just finished I went to 50 stitches, then made a scrubber and there's just a little yarn left. I could maybe get another scrubber out of it. When I made the cloth per your instructions I got a scrubber and a “coaster” which was your pattern with one stitch for the edge and I went up to 25 stitches on size 3 needles. I thought a hodge-podge collection of knit coasters would be kind of fun and I'd have a sample of all the cloths I made, since I keep giving them away!
I like the idea of a block of color in the middle! I think I will give that a try to use up some of my leftovers.
I've been making these a long time. I'm kind of a tight knitter and usually can get two out of a ball of Sugar 'n Cream, if you use plain colors, which have a bit more yardage than the stripey colorways. I have also just added in a block of color in the middle to use up odds and ends – or make a “crazy dishcloth” – a la the crazy quilt – a new color every other row or so.
Sally
I made one in a slightly different pattern out of the same color of Sugar and Cream and it too is my favorite! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for such a simple but fun to make washcloth!!!!! I'm a beginner knitter and I've been getting pretty bored with what i've been working on, this one is fun because you make it from corner to corner. Neat!
Oh my GOSH! I had an old copy of this pattern that someone gave me and I lost it over the years. My poor dish cloths are ratty. Now I can sprint to the store today, buy some fabulous cotton yarn and make more! Thank you so much for posting this! It is absolutely the best!!!!!
Thanks soo much for this pattern!!! I have a dishcloth like this and am no longer able to get more from the lady who made it for me, so, believe it or not, I learned this weekend on YouTube how to knit, and this is my Very First project I have done!!!!! (and truely, until this weekend I had never picked up a set of knitting needles before)
So glad you found the pattern helpful! I think it will be easy for beginners to make this dishcloth too. A good basic pattern like this is so nice to have around.
I have been looking for a free simple pattern to use to help my sister in law which would also work for my nieces who are 14 and 6. I thought I might write one up, but surely there was something basic already out there. Thanks for posting, this will be perfect for the holiday get together!
My pattern for that dishcloth is not quite like yours. I cast on three stitches. I knit two yarn over knit one do this every row until you have 42 stitches if your yarn is varigated, if one color you can go to 43 sts. When you have your desired aboout on you knit one knit two together yarn over knit two together. Continue until you have 5 stitches then knit two together twice knit one, then bind off the three stitches.
I have made all different kinds of dishcloths, both knitted and crocheted. Some look nicer but this pattern WORKS THE BEST as a dishcloth.
I started crocheting when I was four. Twentysome years later, I tried to get my MIL to teach me how to knit. Then my aunt. I could NOT figure it out. Then I bought a book and the lightbulb finally went on over my head. I'm still a little confused on abbreviations-my brain keeps trying to translate them to crochet-, so I love your pattern! It's the first knit pattern I made and it came out beautifully! Thanks!
Yeah, if you're not a knitter the directions can seem pretty weird and complicated. What's funny is I thought I was being super helpful by spelling everything out (instead of the traditional K2, YO, kind of abbreviations). It seems like there's no in between . . . either you love to knit, or it's just baffling. 🙂
I have always wanted to learn how to knit and crochet, but no matter how many times someone shows me how to do it, it is gone from my head within 5 minutes. I just can't get the hang of it.
It seems like knitting directions are such a foreign language! I guess if you knit you know what all that means. I tried crochet and I had to rewrite all of the directions the book gave me just so I could understand all of it! LOL