I designed a couple knitted dishcloth patterns to add some cheer to my dish duty. I so love making … and using … dishcloths! This knit dishcloth pattern is perfect for when you just want something quick and fun … talk about instant gratification!!
I designed two free dishcloth knitting patterns … one with a classic basket weave knit stitch (shown below-left) and one with a simple textured knit stitch (shown below-right).
Rather crochet? See all my free crochet dishcloth patterns here.
This basket weave knit dishcloth pattern is an easy knit pattern with alternating groupings of knit and purl stitches and row repeats to create a wonderful woven design. It’s such a quick knit and a great way to learn a new stitch! The first stitch of each row is slipped to give a nice finished edge.
Basket Weave Knitted Dishcloth Patterns
Here’s what you will need:
- worsted weight cotton yarn, less than approx. 100 yd (shown here in Knit Picks Dishie in the Clementine colorway)
- 7 US / 4.5 mm knitting needles
- yarn needle and scissors for finishing
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Knitting Abbreviations, Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting, Easy Crochet Hook Bind Off.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry library.
Finished dishcloths measure approximately 8 in. × 8 in.
Cast on 36 stitches (I used the long tail cast on method).
Row 1: Slip first st knitwise, knit across.
Row 2: Slip first st knitwise, knit across.
Row 3: Slip first st knitwise, knit 2, purl until 3 sts remain, knit 3.
Row 4: Slip first st purlwise, purl 2, knit 5, *purl 4, knit 4, rep from * until 4 sts remain, knit 1, purl 3.
Row 5: Slip first st knitwise, knit 2, purl 5, *knit 4, purl 4, rep from * until 4 sts remain, purl 1, knit 3.
Row 6: Repeat Row 4.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: Slip first st purlwise, purl 2, knit 1, purl 4, *knit 4, purl 4, rep from * until 4 sts remain, knit 1, purl 3.
Row 9: Slip first st knitwise, knit 2, purl 1, knit 4, *purl 4, knit 4, rep from * until 4 sts remain, purl 1, knit 3.
Row 10: Repeat Row 8.
Row 11: Repeat Row 9.
Rows 12 through 43: Repeat Rows 4 through 11.
Row 44: Slip first st purlwise, purl 2, knit until 3 sts remain, purl 3.
Row 45: Slip first st knitwise, knit across.
Row 46: Slip first st knitwise, knit across.
Bind off and weave in ends (check out my easy crochet hook bind off method here!).
Block to shape if desired ( see How to Block Knit and Crochet Items).
Click here for more Free Knitting Patterns.
Cindy says
I would like to make this as a set with matching dish towel. How do I add stitches to make if wider?
Chris Bradshaw says
Should row two be slipped purlwise?
Thanks!
Lori Anderson says
Thank you so much for the quick and easy dishcloth patterns. The instructions are so easy to understand. I love, love, love your crochet bind off, I had never used or heard of it before and it is wonderful. x
Kara Gunza says
I’m so glad you like them!
dorothy Holmlund says
I would very much like the pattern for your basket weave dishcloth
dorothy Holmlund says
I would like your knit pattern for basket weave dishcloth
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Lianne says
Rows 12 through 43: Repeat Rows 4 through 11. Sorry I am all so a bit new at this, a. Could you please explain this ste
p to me
Kara says
I am sorry … which part are you having trouble with?
Rachel Henderson says
Rows 4 to 11 form the pattern, so when you have knitted row 12, for the next row, follow instructions for row 4, and so on to Row 11. Repeat those 8 rows that make up the basket pattern until you have actually knitted 43 rows altogether.
I do hope this helps.
Rachel in the UK
Kersten says
I’m always on the lookout for good dishcloth patterns. I’m dying to try this one!! Maybe for my mom for mother’s day?? She’d LOVE!!
Kara says
That’s a great idea! I hope you (and your mom) love it as much as I do 🙂
Marilyn says
What a gorgeous dish cloth!
Kara says
Thank you, Marilyn!
Carol says
having trouble finding the directions for the light green one shown with the basket weave.
Kara says
Hi Carol 🙂 That one will be up next week.
Alexandra says
So cute 🙂 I pinned these to my “When I Learn to Knit” board – hehe.
Kara says
Hope you get to use it soon 🙂
Annette, V says
I need help please. I am a beginner at knitting and An advanced Crocheter so I am sure I can make this pattern except for one set of terms that has me baffled. At the beginning of each row it says to slip one stitch knit wise. What does this mean? Should I just move the first stitch to the right needle wwwithout doing a yarn over? Love this pattern and the 3 color one too. Time to start making dishcloths I need a lot to put into the church Xmas food baskets plus gifts and even some to sell. Thank you for sharing!
Judy says
Put your right needle into the stitch as if you were going to knit it and just slide the stitch across.
Kara says
Thanks so much for jumping in and helping a fellow knitter 🙂
Ann LaBrie says
Annette, to slip one stitch knit-wise, insert right-hand needle into the first stitch as if to knit (but don’t) and slip that stitch onto the right-hand needle. To slip one stitch purl-wise, you insert the right-hand needle as if to purl (but don’t purl) and slip it onto the right-hand needle. Hope that makes sense. :o)
Kara says
Thanks so much for jumping in to help 🙂
Rchel Henderson (UK) says
Yes, you put the right needle into the first loop as if you were intending to knit a stitch, but then just move it to the right needle as you say, without putting the yarn over.
Wish I could crochet but can only do a simple chain. When get to the loops, it ends with a very peculiar shape!
Kara says
Thanks for helping 🙂
Kara says
Hi Annette 🙂 What a great idea to add to church food baskets!! It warms my heart like nothing else to know that readers are using my patterns for such good works! It looks like the other ladies already jumped in to answer your question. Let me know if you need anything else 🙂
Linda says
I also love making dishcloths. I am sure I wouldn’t be able to count all the dishcloths I’ve made over the years. At the moment I have a drawer full of them! But all that I’ve made have been crocheted. Thanks for sharing this knit pattern. It will be a good way to improve on my knitting skills! I’m looking forward to giving it a try.
Kara says
I love them too, Linda 🙂