This knitted washcloth pattern with a lacey leaf stitch design would make an easy DIY knitted gift. When you read this post you’ll find out what yarn and needles you need as well as where to find the pattern to download for free.
Video tutorials on how to do the various stitches required to complete this quick project are included. Don’t be put off if the design looks complicated it is not. After watching the videos a beginner will be able to do this project.
I wanted to make a gift for one of my mother’s friends. She loves handmade crafted items so I thought this knitted washcloth pattern with the leaf design would be ideal. I have not done much in the way of lacework but decided that this pattern was more of a beginner lace knitting pattern, and therefore I would be ok to attempt it.
Dishcloths or washcloths are items that I love to knit so I don’t need any excuse or reason to make them! You can find my other dishcloth projects here. They are perfect as anytime gifts as a single cloth or when several are bundled together with a bar of special perfumed handmade soap/handwash.
Knitted Washcloth Pattern Difficulty?
Although this design is a knitted lace pattern, I found it easy to do. The cloth has a garter stitch border all around it. The lace pattern is made up of 16 rows which you work once, and then rows 1 to 8 are repeated once more.
So, it is just a matter of following each row carefully – you can’t go wrong if you tick each one off when done. As I prefer a bigger cloth I made it a bit longer by repeating the pattern several times.
This pattern is not reversible so there is a wrong side to it. This wrong side is worked with the garter border at each end of the row, and every other stitch is purled. Therefore this means that you really only have to concentrate on the right side rows.
Stitches Skills for this Lace Pattern
To complete this pattern you will need to know how to:
- slip a stitch purl-wise – learn how here
- knit 2 together
- psso = pass slipped stitch over
- ssk = slip one stitch knit wise, slip one stitch purl-wise, knit one
- yarn over
Even if you are not sure how to do them, you can always search on YouTube for a tutorial like these ones:
Yarn & Materials I Used
For this project, it is important to use 100% cotton yarn A 50g ball will be sufficient to make one cloth. Working with cotton yarn can be a bit strange at first but once you have done a few rows it will feel more comfortable. Sometimes the yarn can split so you need to be careful not to do this. As always practice makes perfect.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links for products recommended. This means that if you click a link and buy something I may receive some compensation, but this is at no cost to you the reader. Thank you for visiting this website.
I used 4.5mm needles. I much prefer to use shorter needles like these 25cm length ones as they don’t flap around and interfere with the arms of the chair in which I am sitting. Recently my mother was using some long needles which were irritating her so we cut them down with a hacksaw then filed the ends smoothly. To stop the stitches falling off we wound an elastic band around the ends.
Download the Washcloth Pattern
This is a design by Jan Eaton. You can download it for free HERE
Tips
Although this design might look complicated it is not!
If you are unfamiliar with the stitches which are required, first look them up on YouTube. Watch the videos first so you know what to expect. Once you get to the part in the pattern where you start on the lace pattern – those 16 rows – tick them off as you complete them. This way, if you get up to go and do something else you will know where you finished off when you start again.
So if you’re looking to attempt a simple lace pattern as part of your next washcloth project consider doing this one. Make a pile of them and keep them for Christmas gifts later in the year. Or you might like to keep a couple in case you need a last-minute gift. Packaged with a hanging kitchen tea towel and dishcloth they make a more substantial gift.
