Free Knitting Pattern: A Beginner's Washcloth with Lots of Love

I invented this free knitting pattern, "A Beginner's Washcloth with Lots of Love," because I wanted to try some new stitches. You can see the variety at the top and bottom of the washcloth. Also, on the sides, there are lines. In between the lines is a whole different pattern. The heart's background is typical stockinette stitch.

This free washcloth (or dishcloth) knitting pattern was originally created for decoration more than anything. However, curling it up, provided you weaved in the ends properly, still makes for a great washcloth or dishcloth; you can still scrub and wipe just as you do with any other dishcloth or washcloth. I think this would make a great gift.

If you wish, you can alter the knitting pattern to make a different type of cloth. Be sure to stay symmetric if any changes occur. If you make it more square in shape, rather than rectangle, you could make it into a typical dishcloth or washcloth. You could even choose the portion of the pattern you wish to use, and make a knitted bookmark.

Because of the shape, my suggestion would be to double or triple the yarn, and turn the pattern into a potholder for casserole dishes. I believe a grandmother would love a gift like that!

Also, if you decide to make 4 coasters, my suggestion would be to make them using the same design, color, and size - a solid matching set.

This is a very versatile design. It is unusually shaped and would make a great gift for the girly girl in your life. That's why I titled it "Lots of Love." Although there are a lot of pattern designs involved here, it is still an easy knit pattern for beginners.

Gauge not important.

Equipment:

Place markers (help but aren’t necessary) – used to divide the different sections on the row you are working on.

US 7 Needles that are 10 inches long (length isn’t a necessity, but the shorter ones are easier)

Your favorite color of yarn (I used Red Hearts Pretty ‘N Pink)

Scissors

Tapestry Needle

Measurements:

Approximately 8” X 12” (depending on how you stretch it)

Length of Time to Create:

Estimated time for Knitting dishcloth or washcloth is 8 hours.

CO 50 stitches

Section A (First rows and last rows)

Section B (Border before and after heart design – for each row of the heart section)

Section C (heart)

Note: on the *xxx* sections, if you don’t finish what is in the *xxx*, just finish as much as there is room for. For example, *K1, P1* but there is only 3 stitches, then K1, P1, K1.

Section A

R1 & 38: K

R2 & 39: K

R3 & 40: *P1, K1*

R4 & 41: *K1, P1*

R5 & 42: K

R6 & 43: K

R7 & 44: *P1, K1*

R8 & 45: *K1, P1*

R9 & 46: K

R10 & 47: K

R11 & 48: K

Section B

(Border before heart and border after heart) – 17 stitches on each end.

R12, 23, and 34: K

R13, 24, and 35: K

R14, 25, and 36: *P1, K1*

R15, 26, and 37: *K1, P1*

R16 and 27: K

R17 and 28: K

R18 and 29: *P1, K1*

R19 and 30: *K1, P1*

R20 and 31: K

R21 and 32: K

R22 and 33: K

Section C

R12: K

R13: K1, P14, K1

R14: K

R15: K1, P3, K3, P2, K3, P3, K1

R16: K

R17: K1, P2, K10, P2, K1

R18: K

R19: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1

R20: K

R21: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1

R22: K

R23: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1

R24: K

R25: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1

R26: K

R27: K1, P2, K10, P2, K1

R28: K

R29: K1, P3, K8, P1, K1

R30: K

R31: K1, P4, K6, P4, K1

R32: K

R33: K1, P5, K4, P5, K1

R34: K

R35: K1, P6, K2, P6, K1

R36: K

R37: K1, P14, K1

Cast off and weave in the ends. Block or stretch as desired.

(1) If you make a small error but can keep going and make it look the same, just ignore it, and don't rip out a ton of stitches for a minor mistake. With as large as this beginner's washcloth with lots of love is, you have plenty of room for mistakes. They add character.

(2) Stitch place markers are fun to use and help you ensure that you casted on the correct number of stitches. Also, as the pattern progresses, they can be handy in case you get interrupted mid-row and lose your place.

(3) This free dishcloth or washcloth pattern may look complex and difficult, but it only involves knit stitches and purl stitches. It is made for beginners, so do not be intimidated. It's made with "lots of love," because it has a heart in the middle of it.

(4) Make sure you weave in your ends properly, especially if you actually plan to use the cloth roughly so that the dishcloth or washcloth does not come unraveled in the washer and dryer.

(5) When visiting the link with the picture and pattern provided on this hub, you will see my other free patterns. Feel free to use them, provided you do not sell them.

(6) My personal opinion: I believe doubling the yarn, using the same color and shape, and creating the washcloth into a casserole potholder will make the best use of the washcloth (or dishcloth).

(7) I enjoy knitting gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, etc. During that time, I like to think about that person while I'm making their special present. If you make cloths in advance without having your "Christmas List" in mind, be sure to have a good idea of several people who would actually like it. For example, no girl in my family likes bright pink, so this design was not created for a family member. Just make sure you are not wasting your time. Pick the right color. Think about who you are making it for. This will make it so much more special.

The Heart and Fun Washcloth (or Dishcloth) was originally invented just as an experiment on combining different stitches. I also wanted to try to make a heart for the first time ever. I love patterns with hearts, but they are often hard to follow. I am very much a beginner.

I chose a color I thought would match my pattern perfectly. I found a variety of stitches and used complex calculations in order to make it symmetric. The odd-shape was not intentional, but I do believe if you follow the pattern directly and double the yarn, the pattern would make a great potholder for a casserole dish. I also think that making a set of coasters using one of the patterns would be very cute. Use the same pattern, shape, color, and yarn type. That would make a great gift.

With place markers, the knitting pattern can be very fun to do, hence the name. Place markers can tell you how many purls or knits you have just completed. Because there is a variety of stitches per each row, place holders would be useful.

If you remove the heart, you could make this a manly project. However, it is ideally made for a girly girl. (Make sure the girl likes pink though! My sister hates pink!). It is not as hard as it seems. The easiest way to go about doing a pattern like this is to write it out on a separate piece of paper. (For example: Instead of it saying Row 1 and Row 5: Purl, write out on a piece of paper Row 1: Purl; Row 2: Knit; Row 3: Knit; Row 4: Knit; Row 5: Purl). This way you can highlight as you go along, and keep track of where you are. (Of course, change the color).

I hope you enjoy the pattern. It was one of the first washcloth or dishcloth patterns of my creations, so I am still learning. I hope you find this beginner's washcloth (or dishcloth) to be easy and fun. Keep on Knitting!! :)