Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns that Will Help You Learn to Knit

15-Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns by Janice 

Who doesn't need dishcloths?  Or facecloths, for that matter?  I'm sure you use one or the other daily, and most of us use them multiple times a day.

Dishcloths are the perfect way to practice knitting skills without committing to a big project. Here are my personal favorites after years of experimenting.

an assortment of knit dishcloths in various colors15 Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns

Learn to Knit With These Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns

What if I told you that you could learn to knit and master many techniques simply by knitting dishcloths? These projects are the best way to hone your knitting skills while learning new stitch patterns.

In this free tutorial, I will walk you through my collection of dishcloths, 15 to be exact (plus a couple extra).  Each one will detail one or more possible new techniques for the beginning knitter.  But first, let me explain a couple of things.  

What Stitches/Techniques Will You Learn

Why Do We Love Making Dishcloths

  • Teaches New Knit Stitch Patterns
  • They Make Quick Projects 
  • Basic Designs for Beginners 
  • Perfect for Travel
  • Gifts Galore
  • Stash Busting
  • Great Sense of Accomplishment for beginners

What Type of Yarn Makes the Best Dishcloths:  Cotton

Any type of cotton will work, but if you are particular about your cotton sources, you might want to investigate the difference between mercerized and unmercerized cotton.

Mercerized or Unmercerized Cotton?

  • Unmercerized cotton yarn makes the most absorbent dishcloths.  It also has a more natural, handspun look to the finished project.
  • Mercerized cotton yarns come in a wide range of colors because it is more receptive to dyes.  They are also shiny and stronger, making them last longer than unmercerized cotton washcloths.

More about yarn and cotton yarn.

What are the Best Needles for Knitting Washcloths?

You can use straight, circular or even double-pointed needles if they are long enough.  I find that 8 inch double-pointed needles work great when making washcloths. 

The type of material used to make the needles is up to you. You can knit faster with metal needles, but wood or bamboo are great for beginners. If you would like more information on knitting needles, I have an informational article to help.

How Much Yarn is Needed?

Most all dishcloths or facecloths that are 7 to 10 inches square require less than one regular skein of yarn.  The smaller ones may give you enough yarn for two or more washcloths depending on the size of the skein.

15 Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns (Plus Two Free Bonuses)

You don't need a pattern to make a dishcloth, but new knitters prefer to have that security, so here are 17 dishcloth knit patterns to get you started.

1. My First Garter Stitch Dishcloth

Garter Stitch Washcloth in a Varigated Orange, yellow, and white yarnFree Garter Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

Most knitters begin by learning how to make a knit stitch, right?  This could get a bit boring if you are an experienced knitter, but this is the perfect first project if you are a newbie. 

Learn how to make the garter stitch with perfect tension and even stitches, and this could give you the boost you need to try something a bit more complicated.

Four Free Garter Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

2. Seeds and Tweeds

Seeds and Tweeds DishclothFree Seed Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

New knitters are told to use light-colored wool yarn in solid colors, but that gets boring. Here's a chance to add a little color.

This dishcloth is made entirely of the seed stitch, a two-row repeat that is easy to memorize.  Find cotton that resembles tweed, and you end up with seeds and tweeds.

Free Seed Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

3. Perfect Royal Blue Stockinette Dishcloth

Easy Stockinette Dishcloth Free beginner-friendly stockinette stitch dishcloth

All new knitters worry about stockinette stitch curling and refusing to lay flat.  With this lovely royal blue dishcloth, you can eliminate curling by working a seed stitch border.  

Here is the free beginner-friendly stockinette stitch dishcloth

4. Oldie But Goodie Garter Stitch Diagonal Facecloth

Simple garter stitch washcloth knit on the diagonalGarter Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

Here is another free pattern that uses the garter stitch but adds a couple of new skills:  increases and decreases.  

Hop over to the free beginner-friendly dishcloth pattern.

5. Coral Purl Ridge Dishcloth

Purl Ridge Coral DishclothFree Purl Ridge Knit Dishcloth Pattern

This one is super simple, the basic stockinette stitch is interrupted periodically with an extra purl row giving it more texture and interest.  The front creates the texture, and the back still looks like a flatter pattern.

Free Purl Ridge Dishcloth Pattern

6. Easy Variegated Basket Weave Cloth

Basketweave Knit Stitch DishclothBeginner-friendly Basketweave Dishcloth

The basketweave knit stitch is a beginner friendly pattern that uses knits and purls and creates the look of a basket.  What makes this pattern more challenging is that it is created with 12-row repeat.

I have created this one with variegated cotton yarn, but feel free to choose a color that matches or complements the colors in your kitchen.  

Beginner-friendly Basketweave Dishcloth

7.  Garter Checkerboard

Garter Checkerboard Knit Stitch

This is an example of combining knits and purls and creating a lovely textured fabric resembling a checkerboard.  It's beginner-friendly because all you need to know is how to knit and purl.  What makes this dishcloth more difficult though, is the number of row repeats required, 14 in all.  It's not likely you can memorize this pattern, but once you read it, you'll see that it is totally doable.

Free Garter Checkerboard Dishcloth Pattern

8. Andalusian Knit Stitch Dishcloth

Andalusian Knit Stitch Dishcloth

Despite its fancy name, this is a truly beginner-friendly knit stitch that requires only that you can make knit and purl stitches.  It works up fast and has a nice textured design.  Though it is not reversible, the revere side resembles the wrong side of the stockinette. Here is the tutorial for making the Andalusian Knit Stitch.

Hop over to the free Andalusian Stitch Dishcloth.

9. Waffle Stitch Dishcloth

Waffle knit stitch worked with beige yarn

This knit stitch is easy and very beginner-friendly, making it an easy choice for a dishcloth to keep or give as a holiday gift or hostess present.  It's only a four-row repeat of knit and purl stitches.  Anyone who has learned how to make the knit or purl stitch can master this free pattern.

Go to the Waffle Stitch Dishcloth Free Pattern

10. Rice Stitch Knit Dishcloth

Knitted Rice Stitch dishcloth draped over a kitchen sink

This easy dishcloth knitting pattern is made with knit and purl stitches, but it introduces a new technique - working into the back loop of your stitches (tbl). 

It works up fast and looks great with a small garter stitch border.  While not entirely reversible, the back side looks as good as the front side.

Knit Rice Stitch Tutorial

Beginner-Friendly Rice Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

11.  Knit Bamboo Stitch Dishcloth

Bamboo Knit Stitch Dishcloth Free beginner-friendly patternFree Knit Bamboo Stitch Dishcloth

Here is another beginner-friendly stitch that works great into a facecloth or dishcloth. The Bamboo Stitch lays flat so there's no need to add a knit border to the edge and when it's all done, it resembles stalks of bamboo plants. Since it is only a 2 row repeat, you'll have this one finished in no time at all.

Free Knit Bamboo Stitch Dishcloth

12. Old World Garter Stitch Dishcloth

A closeup of garter stitch facecloth showing the the way the yarn over shows up

Here's another garter stitch dishcloth, but it's worked on the diagnonal with the help of yarn overs, a technique that is very easy and one you will use when you knit lace patterns. 

Check out this fast project that can be knit in a short period of time for a last minute gift or a well deserved dishcloth for your kitchen.

Garter Stitch Free Beginner Friendly Dishcloth Pattern

13. Hurdle Knit Stitch Dish Cloth

Close up shot of the hurdle knit stitch knitted with pink 100% cotton yarn.Hurdle Knit Stitch Dishcloth Free Pattern

This is a super beginner friendly knit stitch that is created by knitting two rows of garter stitches and two rows of K1P1 ribbing.  This is one of my favorite stitches and I've made several washcloths to give as gifts. The texture is great and it also makes a reversible fabric so both sides looks good. 

How to make the Knit Hurdle Stitch

Hurdle Knit Stitch Dishcloth Free Pattern

14. Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns:  The Sand Stitch Facecloth

One of the easy dishcloth patterns for beginners is made with the Sand Stitch, a knit and purl pattern. Shown is the knit sand stitch, right side knitted in green, 100% cotton

The knit sand stitch is a super easy and quick pattern that uses only knits and purls and follows a two-row repeat.  Perfect for anyone who is new to knitting and wants to try both knits and purls.  Plus it makes a beautiful, rich texture, though it is not reversible.  It does, however, look great on both sides.

Knit the Free Sand Stitch Facecloth. (or dishcloth)

15. Practice Picking Up Stitches With This Free Pattern

Which way is up? The easy garter stitch dishcloth requires you to pick up stitches and work in a different direction. This step-by-step dishcloth pattern tutorial will cover this technique.

This is the easiest way to learn if you have never knitted a pattern that requires picking up and knitting stitches.  At first glance, it appears that the dishcloth has been knitted in two parts and then sewn together, but it's only one solid piece.  

You work one side, turn it around, pick up the end stitches, and work at a 90-degree angle.  You can make it in one color or choose two colors for a more interesting look.  All that is required is that you know how to make the garter stitch.

Which Way is Up or Down Free pattern

16. Granite Lace Knit Dishcloth Pattern

Right side showing of the granite lace knitting stitche pattern.Learn to Make the Granite Lace Stitch Pattern

This interesting fabric is created by working an increase (knit front and back) and decrease (K2tog) and is perfect for the adventurous beginner.

Learn to Make the Granite Lace Stitch Pattern

17. Mock Rib Slip Stitch Free Dishcloth Pattern

The Mock ribbing slip stitch pattern on the needles worked in an orange acrylic yarnMock Rib Slip Stitch Free Dishcloth Pattern

This is one of my favorite knit stitch pattern because it is so versitile.  Working this free dishcloth pattern will help you become comfortable with slipping stitches.  It's not entirely reversible but you'll love both sides of the fabric.

Mock Rib Slip Stitch Free Dishcloth Pattern

15 Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns: Last Words

Knitting is a process, the more you knit, the better you get.  You can practice all day, but what is more fun is to create something beautiful and useful while you perfect your craft.

Making these 15 free dishcloth patterns is an ideal way to learn to knit. I hope you enjoy working these dishcloths, happy knitting,

Janice

Free Knit Dishcloth Patterns:  Pin for Future Reference

Dishclothes shown on pink background in pin image

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