Easy Beginner Dishcloth Knitting Pattern – Quick & Cozy Knit for Newbies
This easy beginner dishcloth knitting pattern is the perfect quick project to start your knitting journey. A new knitter as well as an experienced knitter will enjoy this easy knitting pattern. Grab your cotton yarn, a pair of knitting needles, and let’s get started with this easy dishcloth.
Remember, it is not only a dishcloth, but also a hand towel, a washcloth, or a special tea towel.
Easy Beginner Dishcloth Knitting Pattern – Quick & Cozy Knit for Newbies
Made with knit and purl stitches only, this simple pattern leaves a soft and delicate reversible fabric. Why is it important? Because no extra knitting techniques are used, making it the easiest knit dishcloth pattern.
Why knit dishcloths?
Knitting dishcloths:
- You know that satisfying feeling of finishing a quick knit that’s both pretty and practical?
- Perfect to learn new stitch patterns.
- Practice a basic and new skill.
- Try out different needle sizes or yarns like cotton blends.
- They make practical projects for your kitchen sink (or bathroom, or even a washcloth if you want to make them smaller!).
- Leftover scrap yarn buster.
- Ideal homemade gifts for friends and family members. These dishcloths make wonderful handmade gifts. Wrap up a few with a ribbon or pop them into a small gift basket with soaps, and you’ve got something truly special.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Yarn: 100% Cotton DK or worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Elle Premier Natural Cotton or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton)
- Needles Size: 4 mm needles (6US, 8UK) or 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles
- 4mm / G/6 crochet hook (US) or size 8 hook in the UK
- Tapestry needle to weave in ends
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
Tip: Solid colors like cream yarn or neutrals help show off your stitch definition, especially for new knitters.
Why cotton yarn?
Mainly because it absorbs so well.
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Knitting techniques used:
- Casting on stitches
- Knit stitches
- Purl stitch
- Casting off stitches
Size / dimensions (approximate):
Gauge:
With the materials as listed, my gauge to obtain a 4″ x 4″ is :
22 number of stitches knit over 32 rows.
approximately 14” wide (35.5 cm) x 16” (40.5 cm) long
It is not necessary to knit a gauge swatch. If the tea towels are not the right size and turn out too big for the kitchen, use them as hand towels. If it is too small, then you have the softest wash cloths
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
RS – right side
st – stitch
sts – stitches
WS – wrong side
Easy Knit Dishcloth Pattern
Written Instructions
Cast on 81 stitches
(This gives you 27 sets of 3 stitches, which works perfectly for the repeat pattern. Make sure to use an odd number of repeats so your row ends with 3 knit stitches.)
Row 1 (RS): Knit 3, Purl 3 across the row, ending with Knit 3.
Repeat Row 1 until your dishcloth reaches the desired length.
(For the sample shown, 140 rows were worked.)
Hanging Loop Section (optional)
To add a simple knit loop cord to hang your dishcloth:
- With the knitted towel on the left needle, cast on 20 stitches and knit across all 20 stitches.
- Turn your work and knit the first 3 stitches.
- Cast off the 2nd and 3rd stitches, leaving the first stitch on your right needle.
- Continue casting off the remaining stitches, but keep the final stitch (your turning stitch) on the needle.
- Knit the last loop stitch together with the first stitch of your dishcloth to secure the loop.
- Cast off the rest of the towel sts.
Bind off and weave in the ends.
Optional: Block your dishcloth for a more finished look.
Finishing Touches (optional)
With your crochet hook and yarn, work single crochet (US) sts or slip sts, around the towel, bind off and weave in the ends.
How to adjust the knitted dishcloth patterns to washcloth patterns
With the gauge provided (obtained with the cotton yarn and knitting needle size) and to obtain a 7″ x 7″ finished product:
Cast on 36sts and knit approx 64 rows.
Check out the Textured Tea Towel Knitting Pattern on the blog.
The knit stitch pattern used is the Garter Subtle Stripes Stitch Pattern. Find all the details in the post here.
Final Thoughts
Beginner knitter? Start with useful projects like this dishcloth to build your confidence and your skills. You’re not just making stitches – you’re creating something with heart.
This pattern uses easy knit and purl stitches. Browse the blog for more wonderful, simple projects and free knitting patterns. Whether you’re dreaming to knit baby blankets, small projects, or a full dishcloth stash, I’ll be here to cheer you on!
Follow me on social media to see what I’m knitting next—and don’t forget to tag @easyonthetongue if you share your fancy new dishcloth!
💬 Leave a comment if you enjoyed this pattern or have ideas for future ones!
Please note that the pattern is provided for free on the blog for personal use only. You may not copy the pattern to share or sell, or republish it as your own.
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Want to come back to this pattern? Save it to your knitting dish cloth board or beginner knitting projects!
