I have several family members that request hand knit wash cloths for Christmas each year. My favorites are made from durable yet soft worsted weight cotton in a single color with a lot of texture for extra cleaning power.

I have added a basketweave washcloth pattern for those who find themselves needing to knit up wash cloths, whether for themselves or a gift. This one is made up of all knit and purl stitches.

Knit Basketweave Washcloth

I hope you enjoy!

I am working on more patterns to post on the site, including toddler socks, lace scarves, fingerless gloves and more wash cloths. Let me know how the basket weave washcloth pattern works out for you, or if there are any patterns you would look to see on the knitting site here at BellaOnline.

The latest washcloth pattern is a shell lace stitch pattern. Here is the link:

Shell Lace Washcloth Pattern

I don't knit (yet) but a washcloth sounds easy. I don't like the store bought washcloths. Are these very durable?

Mine have lasted through scrubbing up some really tough pots and pans. If you are new to knitting, try the simple bias knit washcloth http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67293.asp
If it is for the kitchen you may want to make it a little smaller than the 10" in the pattern - they stretch a bit.
Lion Cotton yarn will work for these patterns, and in my experience it lasts a little bit longer than the Sugar n Cream.

Thanks. That sounds like an easy, tv watching project. I always have to be multi-tasking and this sounds perfect for my skills (or lack of).

The latest feature in the wash/dishcloth pattern is a staggered parallelogram washcloth. This is a simple to knit pattern made of knit and purl stitches:
Staggered Parallelogram Washcloth Pattern

I love dishcloth patterns. Thanks for posting this.

I give them as baby shower gifts too. You can make them is pastels which are cute for a baby and it means even more that you made it.

I made a dishcloth for my mom and she put it under a vase on her coffee table as a decoration. I told her it was ok to just use it for dishes but she didn't want to. She liked seeing it there tho on the coffee table

Thanks for the support!
I like the baby shower idea

Have you ever knitted a washcloth in the round? I just saw a cute pattern of a washcloth shaped like an open flower with the petals and all. It was in a book called Weekend Knitter.

I haven't tried that - and the pattern sounds cute! I will have to check out the book sometime! anyone else ever knitted a washcloth in the round?

I never thought if it until I saw that pattern.

This is the one that is most popular when I am asked for one.

I was a little surprised at how often I would get asked to make washcloths for people. I guess it sort of makes sense since you don't see mass produced knitted washcloths, and they are small fast projects that wouldn't be a huge burden to make up. Each of the texture types gives the cloth a different cleaning ability. Open lace is scrubbyish, more solid raised patterns are absorbent and almost towel like (personally I like those for my face).