Free Washcloth or Dishcloth Pattern

I am participating in a handmade washcloth project for M.D Anderson Hospital in Houston Texas. The info for this project can be found here. Basically, the washcloths are going to the cancer unit there and they are given to the patients when they are done with their radiation treatment, so they can wash off the last remaining marks from the treatment.

One of my washcloths is a pattern that I love to knit and have used to make many washcloths and dishcloths.  It suddenly dawned on me that maybe others might wish to make a washcloth or dishcloth from this pattern and maybe I should write it up.  :) So, I did and then decided I would give it away for free here on my blog and on Ravelry as a PDF.

If you find a typo in this pattern, please let me know so that I can fix it. Thanks!

This pattern stitch is one of my favorite stitches and holds wonderful memories in it for me. When I was young, my mom knit many pairs of mittens for me and she used a knitting pattern that included this stitch pattern. So, when I knit this pattern into something, I think about my mom, her knitting, my mittens and playing in the snow.

Materials

Yarn: 1 oz. worsted weight cotton

Needles: 7 US (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge 20 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch. Gauge isn't really important, since this is not a garment that will need to fit someone.

Finished Size 8 3/8 inches x 8 3/8 inches.

Abbreviations CO = cast on; K = knit; P = purl; BO = Bind off.

Directions

CO 40 sts.

Rows 1- 4: Knit across.

Row 5(RS): K3, *K1, p1* repeat between *'s across to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 6(WS): K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until piece measures 7 ¾ “ from cast on edge.

Next 4 Rows: Knit.

Next Row: Knit and Bind off all sts.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.