Garter Stitch Dishcloth Patterns: 4 Beginner-Friendly Free Designs

Garter Stitch Dishcloth Patterns     by Janice Jones     

The knit garter stitch is likely the first stitch you learned when you just got started, but perhaps you are wondering what you can do with your new skills and knowledge.

Here are three garter stitch dishcloths that rely on your knowledge and skills of creating knit stitches.  If you can make the knit stitch, you can make these dishcloths.

Notes for all Four Garter Stitch Dishcloth Patterns

1. All patterns are written in US terms.
2. All patterns can be made by casting on using the long tail cast on.  Bind off methods are standard and bind off in pattern.
3. Check each dishcloth pattern for specific instructions.

Supplies Needed for all Four Garter Stitch Dishcloth

Garter Stitch Dishcloth Patterns

Here are four separate beginner-friendly garter stitch dishcloth patterns.  They are listed in increasing difficulty.  All are knitted using 100% cotton yarn.

1.  Simple Garter Stitch Dishcloth

Finished Project:  Simple Garter Stitch Dishcloth

The simple garter stitch dishcloth:  8 inches by 8 inches 

(20 cm by 20 cm)

Directions:  Simple Garter Stitch Dishcloth

It doesn't get any easier than this.  This dishcloth is knit complete in the garter stitch pattern from the beginning to the end.  If you want just a slight more challenge, I've added a different version for you to try.

CO 40 sts

Row 1:  Knit each stitch across the row.

Repeat row one until project measures 8 inches. Bind off, weave in ends.

Version Two:  Two Color Variation:  Simple Garter Stitch Dishcloth

This variation uses two colors to create a garter stitch washcloth.  Using two colors does not create a reversible fabric.  The front and back look differently.  '

Using Color one, Cast on 40 stitches.

Row 1:  Knit across row using color one.

Rows 2 and 3:  Change colors and knit across using color two.  Carry color along the side of the project.

Rows 4 and 5:  Pick up Color one and knit across two rows.

Continue in this pattern until project reaches 8 inches.  Bind off and weave in ends.

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2. Old World Garter Stitch Dishcloth:  AKA Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth

Finished Size:  About 9 inches square (23 cm).

This garter stitch dishcloth pattern adds one new skill, the yarn over and knit on the diagonal which makes the pattern a bit more interesting. Other than yarn overs (yo), and the k2tog (knit 2 together, which is a decrease) the knit stitch is all you need to know how to do. This pattern was inspired by Grandmother's favorite washcloth,  Designer: Unknown.

Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: Knit 4
Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit across the row. (Increase row)
Repeat Row 2 until you have 55 stitches on the needle. The diagonal edge should be 7.5 inches (119 cm).

Next Row:  Decrease Row
Knit 1, Knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat this row until you have 4 stitches on the needle.

Bind off, weave in ends.

Optional:  When you have 4 stitches on the needle, continue knitting those four stitches until there is a tail of three inches.  Bind off and sew edges to create a small loop.

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3.  Which Way is Up Garter Stitch Dishcloth

This garter stitch dishcloth allows you to learn another skill - that is to be able to pick up and knit so it's very hard to tell which end is up. Still the basic stitch is the knit stitch so if you can knit, you can create this dishcloth.

This version makes use of slip stitches at the ends of each row so that these edge stitches can be picked up quickly and knit in a perpendicular direction.

Finished Size

About 8 inches (20.5 cm) square

Materials Needed

See Above

Directions:  First Rectangle

CO 21 sts.

Row 1 and all odd-numbered rows for first rectangle:  Sl 1 wyf, k to end.

Row 2 and all even numbered rows:  K all sts across.

Repeat these two rows 37 more times, then repeat row 1, one more time.

BO all stitches except last stitch.  Leave last stitch on right needle, but do not cut yarn.

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Directions:  Second Rectangle

Pick up and knit 39 sts along slipped edge (40 sts on needle)

All subsequent rows:  K.  (garter stitch for total of 40 rows) 

Bind off.  Weave in Ends.

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4. Garter Stitch YO Dishcloth

This garter stitch is similar to the pattern above but the yarn overs are created on the diagonals.  It looks complicated but it really isn't. 

You will be able to practice your yarn over skills and knit stitches to make this dishcloth.  The pattern was inspired by Delightful Dishcloths by Charlotte Marjoribanks.  You can find her pattern at Ravelry. Below is a variation to try.

Directions:

CO 41 sts using long-tail method, Place a marker between stitches 20 and 21.  (this marks the center of the cloth where you will make decreases)  

Row 1 and following odd rows: K to 2 sts before marker, SSK, sm, k2 tog, k to end (2 decreased sts)

Row 2 and all following even rows: Knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 4 sts. remaining.

Final row: Sl 1, K3tog, psso.

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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