how to knit a washcloth

I love those old fashioned hand knit washcloths, just like grandma used to make.  I was shocked to see how easy they were.  Here's how:

I use circular needles, the ones with the cord connecting them, but you can use traditional ones.

Go shopping for yarn!! Pick up some beautiful cotton yarn in your favorite color.

Pattern: 

For the experienced knitters, here is the basic pattern.

Cast on 4.  

Row 1: Knit four.

Row 2:   Knit 2, yarn over, knit to end of row.  

Continue in this pattern until you have 45 stitches on needle.

Next row:  Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end of row. Continue in this pattern until you have four stitches left. Bind off.

For the beginners I tried to explain in more detail.   This washcloth starts out at one corner.  As you increase you get wider until you get to the middle of the washcloth, where you will have 45 stitches.  Then you start the decrease and you go back down to 4 stitches.   

Begin:

1.  Make a slip knot. Click here for tutorial. 

2.  Cast on 3 more stitches. Click here for a tutorial. You have four stitches 

3.  Knit 4. Click here for a tutorial. You will knit all four stitches in this first row.  This row is kind of hard to knit if you cast on too tightly, the loops are a little snug.  

Did you do it?  That wasn't hard, right?  Once you have the knit stitch down you are there.  I promise. 

4.  Next row. Knit two stitches, then do a yarn over (otherwise known as YO). Click here for a tutorial. Then knit the remaining two stitches. You now have five stitches on the needle. 

5.  Knit the next row in the same manner; knit 2, yarn over, and knit to the end of the row.  You now have six stitches on the needle. 

Keep going in this pattern until you have 45 stitches on the needle. If you want a bigger washcloth you can keep going, 50 or 55 stitches. . . it's your washcloth . . . whatever you want.  If you stop at 45 stitches the washcloth should measure around 8" square.  Some end up a little smaller, some a littler larger, depending on the tension and the yarn used.

You're halfway finished.  Now you will begin decreasing one stitch at each end, going from the widest part of the washcloth and narrowing down to 4 stitches.  

We decrease using a method called knit two together (otherwise known as K2T). Exactly like it sounds, simply knitting two stitches together. For tutorial click here.

Starting with this row 

6.  Knit one stitch, knit the next two stitches together, yarn over, then knit two together. Then knit the rest of the stitches to the end of the row. I know this sounds kind of counter-productive, but trust me.

7.  Next row, same thing. Knit one, knit two together, yarn over, knit two together, knit the rest of the row. Keep doing this every row till you get down to four stitches.

8.  Last row, the binding off row. Not sure how to bind off stitches? So easy you won't believe it. Click here for a tutorial. 

You did it. You're done. I'll bet you are smiling and very pleased with yourself. Well you should be!! You did a great job. I knew you could do it. I'm so excited.