COLUMN STITCH DISHCLOTH
By Sara Baldwin ©2009
This dishcloth/washcloth is based on Elise Duvekot’s column stitch, from her book Knit One Below*. This stitch
makes a neat stockinette appearance on the right side, with vertical stripes of opposite colors. The wrong side
is attractive in its own way.
It may seem an odd choice to you to use #2 needles for worsted weight cotton, but the column stitch is a
naturally loose, and I like to have my dishcloths a reasonably firm gauge so they don’t develop snags and pulls.
If working with #2’s is too awkward for you, by all means go up a size or two.
SIZE: About 8 inches wide.
MATERIALS:
One #2 circular or double pointed knitting needle. Straights won’t work!
Two colors of worsted weight cotton: A for main color, B for contrast color.
WS = wrong side RS = right side K=knit P=purl
S=slip stitch without knitting aitp=as if to purl wyif=with yarn in front
wyib=with yarn in back
K1B= insert the right needle into the loop below the next stitch from front to back, wrap, pull through the new
loop to the front, and drop both old stitches off the left needle
P1B= insert the right needle into the loop below the next stitch from back to front, wrap, pull through the new
loop to the back, and drop both old stitches off the left needle
With color A, LOOSELY cast on 27 stitches (or any odd number). Don’t turn your work, but slide it to the other
end of your circular needle and begin again with color B.
(RS) Row 1 with B: S1aitpwyib, *K1B, K1* TURN
(WS) Row 2 with A: S1aitpwyif, *P1, P1B* end P2 SLIDE
(WS) Row 3 with B: S1aitpwyif, *P1B, P1* TURN
(RS) Row 4 with A: S1aitpwyib, *K1, K1B* end K2 SLIDE
Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern.
After a few rows I’m sure you will be wondering what kind of a bunchy mess you have gotten into! At this stage
please don’t worry if the gauge seems all wrong, there are weird loops sticking out in funny places, and the
colors aren’t lining up in stripes. Stick religiously with the pattern for at least two repeats (8 rows), and give your
work a couple of strong sideways tugs, followed by lengthwise yanks. By then you should see things starting to
fall into place!
When your dishcloth is square and you have just completed rows1 or 3, bind off VERY LOOSELY in color A.
*2008 XRX, INC, ISBN 13:978-193306413-0
By Sara Baldwin ©2009
This dishcloth/washcloth is based on Elise Duvekot’s column stitch, from her book Knit One Below*. This stitch
makes a neat stockinette appearance on the right side, with vertical stripes of opposite colors. The wrong side
is attractive in its own way.
It may seem an odd choice to you to use #2 needles for worsted weight cotton, but the column stitch is a
naturally loose, and I like to have my dishcloths a reasonably firm gauge so they don’t develop snags and pulls.
If working with #2’s is too awkward for you, by all means go up a size or two.
SIZE: About 8 inches wide.
MATERIALS:
One #2 circular or double pointed knitting needle. Straights won’t work!
Two colors of worsted weight cotton: A for main color, B for contrast color.
WS = wrong side RS = right side K=knit P=purl
S=slip stitch without knitting aitp=as if to purl wyif=with yarn in front
wyib=with yarn in back
K1B= insert the right needle into the loop below the next stitch from front to back, wrap, pull through the new
loop to the front, and drop both old stitches off the left needle
P1B= insert the right needle into the loop below the next stitch from back to front, wrap, pull through the new
loop to the back, and drop both old stitches off the left needle
With color A, LOOSELY cast on 27 stitches (or any odd number). Don’t turn your work, but slide it to the other
end of your circular needle and begin again with color B.
(RS) Row 1 with B: S1aitpwyib, *K1B, K1* TURN
(WS) Row 2 with A: S1aitpwyif, *P1, P1B* end P2 SLIDE
(WS) Row 3 with B: S1aitpwyif, *P1B, P1* TURN
(RS) Row 4 with A: S1aitpwyib, *K1, K1B* end K2 SLIDE
Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern.
After a few rows I’m sure you will be wondering what kind of a bunchy mess you have gotten into! At this stage
please don’t worry if the gauge seems all wrong, there are weird loops sticking out in funny places, and the
colors aren’t lining up in stripes. Stick religiously with the pattern for at least two repeats (8 rows), and give your
work a couple of strong sideways tugs, followed by lengthwise yanks. By then you should see things starting to
fall into place!
When your dishcloth is square and you have just completed rows1 or 3, bind off VERY LOOSELY in color A.
*2008 XRX, INC, ISBN 13:978-193306413-0
RIGHT SIDE
WRONG SIDE