What you need
| Finished size | About 17 cm square |
|---|---|
| Yarn | 1 ball (50 g) of 100% cotton, Aran weight (US worsted) |
| Needles | 5 mm (US 8) straight needles |
| Also | Scissors and a tapestry needle |
| Tension (gauge) | Not important for a washcloth |
| Stitches | 30 stitches, garter stitch (knit every row) |
Skills you’ll use
- The long-tail cast-on
- The knit stitch, worked on every row to make garter stitch
- Counting garter ridges (each ridge is 2 rows)
- Casting off (US binding off) loosely
- Weaving in the tails along the garter ridges
What’s in the PDF
- Materials and a size guide
- Cast-on with the tail length to leave (cotton uses more tail than wool, about 1.1 m)
- Row-by-row instructions with the stitch count to check
- The fold test that tells you when it’s square (most people get there at about 30–35 ridges)
- Casting off and finishing, plus a note on how cotton behaves
Questions about this pattern
What yarn and needles do I need for the washcloth?
One 50 g ball of 100% cotton in Aran weight (US worsted) and a pair of 5 mm straight needles.
How do I know when the washcloth is square?
From about 28 ridges, fold one bottom corner up to the opposite side edge. When it makes a neat triangle, it’s square and ready to cast off. Most people get there at about 30–35 ridges.
Does tension (gauge) matter for a washcloth?
No. Tension is not important for a washcloth, so you don’t need to knit a tension square first.
Why does my cotton feel stiff and uneven?
Cotton can feel stiff and uneven while you knit. It softens and evens out after its first wash.