Soft and practical, our Big Mouth Dishtowel features a handy built-in loop for convenient hanging, not to mention an easy 2-stitch repeat that knits up in a flash.
Handmaking something that gets so much use takes a special kind of love. Dishtowels, an item many people grab at the dollar store and toss out with as much thought, are a kitchen staple. Whether thrown over a shoulder, tucked in an apron, or looped over the oven handle, dishtowels are a hard worker when you’re making that roast or stirring that soup. Spending a little extra time to put some care and thought into making one will feel like a little hug every time you wipe your hands.

Our Big Mouth Dishtowel features a super memorizable 2-stitch repeat that goes over one row, followed by three rows of garter stitch to create a bumpy texture perfect for cleaning up kitchen spills. This borderless towel has a lovely drape and a convenient, easy Big Mouth to loop over a cabinet handle or hang on a hook. Each side has its own unique, gorgeous texture as well.
How to Resize your Big Mouth Dishtowel
This pattern is awesome because the repeats make it really easy to customize the size and shape of your dishtowel. The pattern has a repeat of 2 stitches across and 4 rows vertically.
To make your dishtowel wider, increase in increments of 2 stitches. To make it more narrow, decrease in increments of 2 stitches.
To make your dishtowel longer, increase in increments of 4 rows. To make it shorter, decrease in increments of 4 rows.

Tips for Making Your Dishtowel
Like many dishtowels, this is a forgiving pattern. Gauge is not important for this pattern. You can swatch if you like, but remember that you don’t need to block this project and should expect to machine wash and dry your towel after each use.
In this pattern, I call for slipping the first stitch purl-wise with the yarn in the front. This is to help create a straighter, neater edge. You do not have to do this, though. You can just knit or slip that stitch as the pattern dictates. Remember, though, there is not a border on this pattern as written, so on Row 1 you will need to slip that stitch to be in pattern.
How to Increase 1 Stitch with the Backward Loop Method (M1BL)
Make 1 Backwards Loop, or M1BL, is a way to create 1 stitch in knitting anywhere in a pattern. It usually doesn’t have a lot of stretch, which is great here because this fabric is very drapey already. This is a great way to make the giant Big Mouth we are going for in this pattern.
Here’s how to do it:
With working yarn, create a loop so that the tail end is lying over the working end (the end closer to the last knit stitch).

Insert the right needle into the loop from the front to the back.

Tighten the stitch to your normal tension.

Congrats, you have made a new stitch using the backward loop method!
Materials for Making the Big Mouth Dishtowel
- size 8 needles, circular or straight
- 150-160 yards of worsted cotton yarn
Pattern Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- k: knit
- m1bl: make 1 stitch using the backward loop method
- sl1pwise: slip 1 stitch purl-wise, or as if to purl
- wyif: with yarn in front
- wyib: with yarn in back

Big Mouth Dishtowel Instructions
CO 60 stitches.
Body
- Row 1: sl1pwise wyif -k1, sl1pwise wyib- repeat to end
- Row 2: sl1pwise wyif, knit to end
- Row 3: sl1pwise wyif, knit to end
- Row 4: sl1pwise wyif, knit to end
Repeat these 4 rows until your work measures 12″ or your preferred length. End on a Row 2, ready to work Row 3.
To Make the Big Mouth
The Big Mouth is made over a Row 3 and Row 4. Begin with Row 3.
- Row 3: sl1pwise wyif, k21 for a total of 22 stitches on the right needle, then BO the next 16 stitches, knit last 22 stitches to the end.
- Row 4: sl1pwise wyif, knit to the gap, m1bl 16 times, knit last 22 stitches.
Continue in pattern for 1.5 more inches (or your preferred length).
Finishing
BO on a Row 3.
Weave in all ends.
Love this Pattern? Check Out More Dishtowel Patterns!
Simple Ribbed Farmhouse Dishtowel Knitting Pattern
Twistcloth Dishtowel Knitting Pattern
Check out a PDF version of the pattern below!
For more photos of this recipe and all the other homemaking projects I’m doing, including recipes, knitting patterns, and other fun stuff, find me on Instagram or Ravelry!
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