the knit dishcloth pattern that feels like summer
This beginner knit dishcloth pattern is knit in a textured square with straight needles. The lemon yellow cotton brings a bright and fresh feeling to spring and summer cleaning routines.
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Butter yellow is a huge trend this spring and summer, and I’ve got a knit dishcloth pattern to share with you today!
Knit with Berroco Pima Soft cotton, this is the most buttery feeling dish cloth, too. It makes for delightful spring cleaning (or as delightful as cleaning can be!).
The Daylight Dish Cloth is a beginner knitting pattern for new knitters or advanced knitters dreaming of a knitting project as refreshing as the new summer sunlight.
This is a great base for knitting a dishcloth, wash cloth, or doll blanket, as well!
>>you can scroll down for the free pattern below, or purchase the ad-free PDF here<<
daylight dish cloth knitting pattern
This is a written pattern that will have you knit flat back and forth on straight needles (or circular needles if you prefer).
Materials:
- US 6 (4.0mm) straight 9″ knitting needles or 9″ circular needles
- Approx. 95 yds of DK weight yarn (Berroco Pima Soft in “Lemon”)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle to weave in ends
- Tape measurer or ruler
Size:
10″ x 10″ square, instructions to adjust height and width are below
Gauge:
22 sts/28 rows= 4″ in pattern
Pattern notes:
This pattern is for a DK weight dish cloth using a pair of US 6 (4.0mm) 9″ straight needles. I chose to knit flat with bamboo circular needles. You can use another type of needle you find most comfortable. I also used the long tail cast on, but you can use a different method if you choose!
You can knit with any DK weight yarn, as long as the gauge matches. To make your dish cloth longer or shorter, add or decrease the number of rows you knit. The pattern is written for a 10″ x 10″ square. If you need the dish cloth to be more narrow, cast on less stitches. If you need the dish cloth to be wider, cast on more stitches. Start small and cast on one more or one less and then test it. I recommend knitting your dish cloth slightly larger because cotton will shrink. Remember to take your time setting it up for the correct size you want!
You will cast on your stitches to the needle, knit in the pattern below until you make a square and then bind off the needles.
Make sure you watch my Knitting Basics playlist to see how to cast on, knit, and bind off. I also wrote a post for beginners learning to knit! If you would like to adjust the dish cloth’s length, keep in mind that you’ll need to increase or decrease the number of rows you knit. Tip: Check out this video on how to count rows as you knit in garter stitch. It’s very similar to this textured pattern.
>>This pattern is part of a beginner dishcloth knitting pattern eBook HERE!<<
free knit dishcloth pattern abbreviations (US) and skills:
co- cast on
k- knit
p- purl
st(s)- stitch(es)
rep- repeat
daylight dish cloth: a free knitting pattern
CAST ON edge
CO 58 sts using the long-tail cast on. You can watch this tutorial on how to cast on using the long tail method. If you’re having difficulty with that, try this fun video and rhyme!
dishcloth
We’re going to start with a knit, purl repeat, which means we will knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch across the first two rows.
We will now work the dishcloth with the following pattern:
Row 1-Row 2: *k1, p1* across all sts
Row 3: knit all sts
Switch your needles so that your right hand holds the empty needle at the end of each row.
Rep Rows 1-3 for a total of 12 horizontal row reps (plus top and bottom) and 12.5 vertical row reps (see photo below) or until it reaches the length you want. You can count how many rows you have knit easily with this tutorial.
BINDING OFF
You will be taking the stitches off your needle one stitch at a time until the last stitch following this three step process:
- Step 1: K 1 st
- Step 2: K 2nd st
- Step 3: Using your left needle, pass the first st on the right needle over the second st on your right needle, and off the right needle. You will now have 1 st on your right needle.
Repeat these three steps until you have one st left on your left needle and no sts on your right needle. You can follow this tutorial if needed.
Next, you will pull your last st on your left needle to loosen it a bit. Carefully taking your st off your needle, cut a 2-3″ tail of your yarn. Pull the tail through the last st that you pulled off your needle and pull the tail to tighten and close the st loop. You can follow this tutorial if needed.
weave in ends
Now we are going to weave in the yarn ends to finish both ends of the dishcloth.
Following the weaving in ends tutorial for the sides of your dishcloth from this video here, choose which end you are going to weave in first.
Thread your yarn needle with the tail of yarn and following the horizontal bumps of the row, weave the tail up and down down the row. I recommend going 1-2″ and then turning back the other direction 3-4 stitches.
Cut any of your tail that’s left. Repeat for the other end of your dishcloth.
You are ready to enjoy your bright beautiful new dishcloth! Your knit dishcloth is complete!
Pin it for later:
When you finish your Daylight Dish Cloth I’d love to see it! Feel free to tag me on Instagram @fthisyellowfarmhouse and #daylightdishcloth. You can also email me at [email protected] with your finished picture or questions!
