Garter Slip-Stitch Washcloth (or Towel) Pattern

Hi everyone!

I designed this pattern to teach a beginning knitting class for one of my knitting groups, and by popular request I’m sharing it for everyone. (Please excuse the lack of pictures for now, I will update later to add some...)

Garter Slip-Stitch Washcloth (or Towel)

Materials:

Worsted weight dishcloth cotton: Approximately 100 yards for washcloth size, or 200 yards for towel size. The 2-color version will require half of the total yardage in each of 2 colors.  Yarn Examples: Knit Picks Dishie, Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, Peaches ‘n Cream

Knitting needles: Size US6 (4 mm) for washcloth or size US8 (5 mm) for towel.

Gauge is not critical, though variations in gauge will affect the yardage used and the size of the finished item.

One-color version:

CO 40 sts.

Row 1 (WS): K2, *sl1 wyif, k4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, end sl1 wyif, k2.

Row 2  (RS): K all sts.

*Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your cloth is the desired size (approximately square), or until you have approximately 1-2 yards of yarn left. End with row 1.

BO all sts.  Weave in ends.

Two-color version:

Note: carry the unused color up the side of your work (do not break the yarn at each color change).

CO 40 sts in color A.

Row 1 (RS), color A: K2, *sl1 wyib, k4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, end sl1 wyib, k2.

Row 2 (WS), color A: K2, *p1, k4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, end p1, k2.

Row 3 (RS), color B: K2, *sl1 wyib, k4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, end sl1 wyib, k2.

Row 4 (WS), color B: K2, *p1, k4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, end p1, k2.

*Repeat rows 1-4 until your cloth is the desired size (approximately square), or until you have approximately 1-2 yards of color A left. End with row 2 in color A.

BO all sts in color A. Weave in ends.

Towel variation:

CO 55 sts.

Work as specified above for either the one-color or two-color version, working until the towel is the appropriate length.

Abbreviations

CO: cast on

K: knit

Sl1 wyif: slip one stitch purlwise, with yarn held to the front of the work

Sl1 wyib: slip one stitch purlwise, with yarn held to the back of the work

St(s): stitch(es)

BO: bind off

RS: right side

WS: wrong side

Other variations:

You can make this cloth/towel any size you want—just add or subtract stitches from the cast-on count in multiples of 5.

You can also use any yarn you’d like—adjust the stitch count as needed, and pick needles 1-2 sizes smaller than recommended for the washcloth, or at the recommended size for the towel.  An absorbent cotton (or cotton blend) is recommended.