In our home, the kitchen is the hardest working room. Our Cape Cod house layout squeezes in as much functionality as possible into not the biggest space, so our kitchen is for making meals, storing food, laundry, and general comings and goings. Still, though, I find myself wanting to make that space as inviting and visually pleasing as I can, maybe even because of all it has to do for us.
I was searching for that intersection between sturdy and pretty when I worked up this Twistcloth Knitted Dishtowel. The stitch pattern looks more complicated than it is, an easy repeat that is basically knitting into an increase twice to make those slipped-looking rows. The texture is lovely, a hearty feel that can stand up to cleaning, grabbing a piping hot casserole out of the oven, or protecting your counters as a trivet for your homemade meals. I like to make my towels big enough to double up as a super thick trivet, but this would also be a great smaller potholder or cloth – just knit to your desired length and bind off on a knit row.
I’m building up a kitchen stash of natural-colored towels, so you’ll see that again here, but this would be great in any solid-colored cotton yarn so you can really see that texture.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- Sl1: slip one stitch
- Pwise: purl wise
- P2tog: purl 2 together
- BO: bind off
Sizing
About 15” long and 10” wide, though the size is customizable.
Materials
- Yarn: Cotton worsted, 185 yards
- Shown in Sugar & Creme in Ecru
- Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4” in garter
- Needles: US #8
- Notions: Darning needle, stitch marker
Twistcloth Knitted Dishtowel Pattern
- CO 56 using your preferred method.
- Pro Tip: If you want to adjust the width of this towel, making it either wider or less wide, just make sure you cast on stitches in multiples of 2.
Pattern Stitch
- Row 1 (right side): Sl1 pwise, knit to end
- Row 2: *P2tog, leaving both on left needle. Purl into first stitch again, then slip both the purled stitches off left needle* repeat until the end of the row
- Row 3: Sl1 pwise, knit to end
- Row 4: Purl 1, *P2tog, leaving both on left needle. Purl into first stitch again, then slip both the purled stitches off left needle* repeat until the last stitch of the row, then purl that stitch
Continue in this pattern until the piece measures 15″ or your desired length. You could easily make this about 8″ long for a washcloth. Make sure you end on Row 4.
Finishing and Optional Loop
Now you have an option to add a loop to your towel or not.
- NO LOOP: BO all stitches on a Row 1
- LOOP: On a Row 1, BO to last three stitches. Continue in I-cord until it measures 6”. BO all stitches, cut end leaving longish tail. Sew the end to the beginning of the I-cord to make a loop.
Weave in all ends.
This towel doesn’t seem to need wet blocking, although of course you can determine that for yourself. I love the rustic texture and feel of this towel; I could see it also being a really great scrubbie or even washcloth for the bath. These would make a wonderful gift for new homeowners or, knit in a smaller size, new parents.
Love this Pattern? Check out More Dishtowel Knitting Patterns!
Simple Ribbed Farmhouse Dishtowel Knitting Pattern
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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