Basic Cotton Dishcloth Knitting Pattern

Basic Cotton Dishcloth

Use cotton yarn to create practical and attractive dishcloths with this free dishcloth knitting pattern from Bernat Yarns. Homemade kitchen items such as these hold up better and bring personality to your home.

All you need is one ball of washable cotton yarn. This Basic Cotton Dishcloth pattern is a beginner knitting pattern that is simple to make and will be a total life-saver in the kitchen. Instead of purchasing dishcloths at the store, use free knitting patterns and make your own.

This pattern is insanely easy. Plus, the design is perfect for washing your dishes or scrubbing your counters. Rather than using cheap towel fabric, this knitting idea results in a textured, knit dishcloth that is textured perfectly for removing stuck-on food and more.

Easily washable and quick-drying, this is the perfect hostess gift idea.

Want to see more of our favorite beginner knit dishcloths? Check out 12 Knitted Dishcloth Patterns.

Knitting Needle Size9 or 5.5 mm

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge16 sts and 30 rows = 4 ins 10 cm in garter st.

Finished SizeApprox 10" [25.5 cm] square.

Materials List

Yarn: 1 ball of Bernat® Handicrafter Cotton Naturals (340 g / 12 oz), or 2 balls (42.5 g / 1.5 oz)
Knitting Needles: Size 5.5 mm (U.S. 9) or size needed to obtain gauge.

How to Knit a Dishcloth

Pattern:

Cast on 3 sts.
1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: K1. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of row.
Rep last row to 53 sts.
Next row: K2. K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Rep last row to 3 sts. Cast off.

3 Tips for Knitting Dishcloth Patterns

Creating dishcloths for your kitchen is an excellent way to create because it allows you to work on your knitting while still creating something insanely useful. If you are looking to create knit dishcloth patterns for you or as a hostess gift idea, check out the tips below. If you follow the fool proof how to knit dishcloths tips below, you are sure to create a fantastic final product. Prepare to proudly scrub away at the sink with your brand new knit dishcloth pattern.

When it comes to yarn, the best yarn to use with dishcloths is cotton or a cotton blend. Cottons absorb water and are machine washable, making them the practical choice. Do not use wool yarn as it will felt with too much moisture.
Knit it well and knit it tight. Since you will be scrubbing and using your knit dishcloth pattern a lot, you want to make sure you create something with a solid structure. Unlike a scarf or even a potholder, knitting dishcloth patterns means creating something you will be pushing around and stretching.
Create knitted dishcloth patterns in bulk. You can create about two to three knit dishcloths from one skein of yarn. So, it will save you a lot of money if you decide to make several dishcloth patterns for knitting at once. This way you will not be leaving behind an awkward amount of scraps, ensuring you will use all of your yarn.

More Knit Dishcloth Patterns

Love this easy knit dishcloth? Find more of our favorite patterns below!

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Tricia108

Oct 13, 2017

I have made a few of these diagonal dishcloths and they are easy to make. They work up quickly and the best thing is you can wash them. I would use a good cotton because the colors fade with the cheaper cotton. It is worth the bit of extra money. No need to buy dishcloths again. Thank you.

lcarr

Apr 26, 2017

I used to make these all the time. They are great dishcloths to have. I like them better than store bought. Just make sure to hang them to dry. Leaving them sit makes them stinky. The smell is hard to get out after. I found that when I used cotton they shrunk. Maybe mercerized cotton would be better.

Daughter of Light

Feb 13, 2017

I really like this pattern! Simple, basic and a wee bit rustic look. I also like the look of the edging. There are so maaaaany colors to choose from in the yarn Shari suggested below. I bet that will be the most difficult thing for me--deciding the yarn color! Sooo I am off now to practice!

rodeoropers 780719 0

Nov 13, 2016

Color for the basic cotton dishcloth featured October 4th 2016. It's a brown color with different colors running through it. Made by Bernatbr /Sheri

Editor Dana

Nov 15, 2016

Hi Sheri! It looks like Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Naturals in Terra Firma Ombre. Hope that helps! -Editors of FaveCrafts

rodeoropers 780719 0

Nov 13, 2016

What color is THIS yarn. Can anybody help. Sheri

Member 2877413

Apr 06, 2015

I'm a little confused about the directions. Is it 'K1, Inc 1 st in next st' across to final K1, or is the increase/decrease only 1 stitch per row?

Lisa

Mar 14, 2022

You only increase 1 stitch per row. There are no "across" directions anywhere in the pattern, this is the same pattern as the dishcloth that has you do a yo after knitting 2 stitches, only this one will not make the decorative holes that run around the other one.

Lisa

Mar 14, 2022

bessiejo60 3458847

May 10, 2014

I Knit and crochet these. For the crochet ones I use a J needle and 25 stitches. Then triple crochet until I get the size I want!

aubu1964 9524488

Feb 20, 2013

Can you use Sugar and Cream I have purchased alot of them in my local Micheals store. michelle

rbgang2 5532706

Jul 06, 2013

Yes you can. I also buy the cotton yarn at Walmart (the larger spools). Both work just fine as long as it is cotton yarn.

wendygoerl 2394329

Jul 16, 2014

Any kind of cotton "worsted" will work ( I say "worsted" because it's the same size as "worsted weight" acrylic/wool). You can even make it with acrylic if you want, but I'd rather have a cotton dishcloth.

kamtravels2

Jul 10, 2012

Okay, I'm not getting the same kind of "edge" that is shown in the picture. I'm inc. by knitting into the next st.

Lisa

Jul 12, 2014

I've made many of these-i increase by knitting front and back into the next stitch and the edge comes out looking like the picture.

kamtravels2

Jul 10, 2012

I started knitting this pattern and realized that it is not the same as the picture. Is there anyone out there who has tried this with the same results?

Lisa

Jul 12, 2014

I have, many times. I increase by knitting front and back on the increase stitch and it comes out like the picture. hope this helps.

nonny1944 1169127

May 26, 2012

I love this pattern and have done it many times. I also like to crochet, but prefer knitting and have an easier time reading patterns. Certain yarns work up better in knitting also.

kamtravels2

Jul 10, 2012

Hi...you mentioned you've done this pattern many times, however I'm finding the picture is not the same as the instructions. Did you find the same thing?

cherrygriffin 4341 977

Aug 28, 2016

I found that by increasing on the 3rd stitch in I got the same look.The pattern instructions are confusing at first. I pick up a loop and knit that and it looks better than doing it the other way. Decreasing - I knit to the last 4 sts and knit the next 2 together.

lndsynor 7420227

Dec 21, 2010

I'm trying to knit this dish cloth. I used to make them many years ago and was thrilled to find the pattern again! One problem I'm having is in the decreasing. Don't you have to do a yo in order to make the holes that appeared on the increasing? Norma

lanov 3704694

Feb 27, 2012

Yes, you do have to do a yo. I think this must have been an error when posting the instructions. I've made many of these and the yo is necessary to create the hole.

Justjenny

Apr 02, 2012

There are no holes on this pattern. It says to increase by knitting into the next stitch, not by yarn overs, so you would not do yarn overs on the decrease either. I've always done it with yarn overs, so I noticed this was a different pattern.

wendygoerl 2394329

Jul 16, 2014

I think you're confusing it with a similar pattern that one of the mills released as a freebie back in the late '80s/early'90s. That one used a yarnover two stitches inside the edge all around.

katydid911

Sep 07, 2010

I have made this pattern serveral times. I have knitted dishclothes for years. I give them to friend and relatives. They last forever. When they get dingy, I just make some more. I like the knitted one better thanthe crocheted one. they are softer. Will be making more later.

Rahab

Sep 06, 2010

I have made this dishcloth many, many times...sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller...and find it difficult to keep up with the requests from family. Also, a local church tucks one into the Thanksgiving baskets that they give to the less fortunate which seems like a wonderful idea. Several of us Linus Blanketeers have used this pattern with softer yarn and larger needles to make baby blankets.

nonny1944 1169127

May 26, 2012

I have done the same thing, makes a beautiful baby blanket, can't wait to decrease, then I know I'm on the downside. LOL

Craftypat

Feb 14, 2010

This is a nice easy knit for beginner. They are also very sturdy dish clothes. Great shower gifts or for craft shows. Not expensive to make and you can make new disigns by using your scrapes of yarns.

Crafter 8561017

Dec 16, 2009

Have just learned to make dishcloths and enjoy watching them take shape. My mother knitted dishcloths and gave my sister and I several plus the grand daughters before she passed. Will be giving these as gifts for Christmas plus hopefully start a new tradition for my daughter and daughter-in-laws.