Knitting Pattern: Linen Stitch Dish Cloth

I have had some requests for my linen stitch dish cloth pattern, so I thought it would be nice to share it. It really is just a square of linen stitch, but I certainly can share specifically how I make mine.

For functional dish cloths, it is generally best to use cotton yarn, but you could use cotton blends like cotton/acrylic, cotton/bamboo or cotton/linen. If you want the look that I get with my cloths, choose a variegated yarn (a yarn with a combination of mixed colors). This is the easiest way to achieve a confetti-like, multicolored cloth. The pattern will distribute the colors throughout the cloth, preventing pooling of color which often has a splotchy appearance.

If you like working with colors, you can alternate three solid colors while following the pattern. This will be a little more work since you will need to carry your yarns neatly up one side, and keep track of your colors, but it will also give a multicolored, confetti-like appearance to the cloth.

If you wish to get even more creative, you can try a self-striping yarn with this pattern, or knit yourself or a new neighbor a lovely set in a single, solid color, or coordinating solid colors. The pattern is very versatile.

I use worsted weight cotton for my cloths. Examples you might choose include:

Peaches and Creme cotton yarn
Bernat Handicrafter cotton
Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton
Knit Picks Dishie
Sugar ‘n Cream cotton

It’s also worth noting that Knit Picks CotLin is a cotton/linen blend that makes great dish cloths and towels, but it is DK weight (a lighter weight than worsted) so you will need to adjust your needle size. Knit Picks recommends knitting needle size #5 or #6 for CotLin.

The pattern: Linen Stitch Dish Cloth

Dimensions: Approximately 9 by 10 inches

Yarn: Worsted weight cotton

Needles: Straight knitting needles, size #7

Cast on 40 stitches. I use a long tail cast on.

Row 1: *knit 1, slip 1 stitch with yarn held in front; repeat from * (row ends with a slipped stitch)

Row 2: *purl 1, slip 1 stitch with yarn held in back; repeat from * (row ends with a slipped stitch)

For all slipped stitches, always slip purlwise (slip as if to purl).

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 100 rows. Ending with row 2, bind off knitwise. Block lightly.

The linen stitch is knit over any even number of stitches, so you can adjust the pattern for size/dimensions if you prefer a larger or smaller cloth, or you want to make towels.

If you are a tight knitter, you might consider using size #8 needles to avoid a stiff and curly cloth. If you knit very loosely, try needle size #6. Gauge doesn’t matter so much with this pattern, but making your stitches too loose or too tight will affect the quality of your cloth.