Old World Garter Square Dishcloth Pattern

Garter Square Dishcloth Pattern   Rewritten by Janice Jones

Need a super easy, super fast project for a last minute gift idea?

This is an old pattern that has more uses than just dishcloths. I have yet to locate its original designer, so this is my rendition of the dishcloth.

The original was posted on this site long before I became the publisher, so I am not taking credit for the design.

Make these squares larger, and you can create square pillows or blankets. It also works well as a square placemat. Make smaller squares and sew them together to create a market bag or larger rectangular blanket.

These dishcloths also work equally well as facecloths. Use a softer cotton or cotton blend that is 100% washable for facecloths.

They work up quickly, so make a couple as a hostess gift or as a Christmas stocking stuffer for a friend.

Garter Square Dishcloth Pattern

Abbreviations

K = knit

YO = Yarnover

CO = Cast on

BO = Bind off

Notes

This pattern uses US Terms.

Supplies

• 100% Cotton 1 skein (for the purposes of this page, I used Lily Sugar and Cream) Number 4, worsted weight yarn
• Number 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Finished Size

7.25 x 7.25 inches (18.5 cm by 18.5 cm)

Directions

CO 3 stitches.
Row 1: K1, YO, K1, YO, K1.
Row 2: K across.
Row 3: K2, YO, K1, YO, K2.
Row 4: K across.
Row 5: K3, YO, K1, YO, K3.
Row 6: K across.
Row 7: K4, YO, K1, YO K4.
Row 8: K across

Continue knitting this pattern by adding one more stitch at the beginning of each odd-numbered row before your first yarn-over. All even-numbered rows are always knitted. Work until you reach 63 stitches on your needle or until your desired sized square. Bind off. Weave in ends.

How Does This Piece Ever Turn into a Square?

I understand what you are asking, as I asked the same question. It looks like a triangle to me. I then figured out that there is a way that this is a square and not a triangle.

Mystery solved. It still looks like this washcloth could use a little blocking after finishing.

The piece will always be square regardless of how much or little you knit.

Hints and Beginner Tips

You will probably not be able to see the shape of a square until you have at least 19 to 21 stitches on your needle. Before that, it just looked a bit messy.

Use a row counter if you lose track of how many stitches to knit before the first yarnover. Don’t count the rows of knit stitches, just the rows where you make the yarn overs.

You will always know that the next row will require knitting one more stitch before the yarn-over than the number registering on the row counter.

If you don’t have a row counter, don’t worry. Once you are ready to knit a row with yarnovers, count the stitches on the needle. There should be an odd number of stitches.

Divide the number of stitches by 2. For example, if there are 25 stitches. Half of 25 is 12 ½. Twelve is the number of stitches you need to knit before doing the first yarn over.

Learn to read your stitches. Look at the two pictures below. One is taken after an even-numbered row with all knit stitches. The other is taken after an odd-numbered row with yarn-overs. Can you see where the yarnovers were made?

Gauge

I have not mentioned a specific gauge for this project because it is a dishcloth and not something that needs to fit properly.

However, as you can see, I made the dishcloth using several different-sized knitting needles. I started with a size 8 (5.0 mm) needle; see below.

I thought that one looked rather sloppy. The pink dishcloth was made with US 7 (4.5 mm).

What a difference size makes!

The yarn band recommended US 7 needles, but the US Number 6 may work for you, too.

What is your preferred knitting needle size for working with worsted weight (Number 4) yarn?

Garter Square Dishcloth Pattern: 
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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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