Diagonal Knit Dishcloth Pattern (Free + Easy For Beginners)

In this post, you will learn how to knit a corner-to-corner dishcloth with this diagonal knit dishcloth pattern for beginners.

This is a great quick project for a beginner knitter as it teaches you how to knit garter stitch, how to increase through yarn overs, and how to decrease.

Plus it’s a great stash buster so you can use up those leftover cotton yarns in your yarn stash.

Scroll down to view the free pattern and grab your free PDF to print out!

What Is The Best Stitch For A Knitted Dishcloth?

The best stitch for a knitted dishcloth is typically the simple basic knit stitch.

The reason for this is that the knit stitch creates a flat, sturdy fabric with a good texture for scrubbing dishes.

Additionally, the knit stitch is easy to execute and produces a reversible fabric, so your dishcloth will look great on both sides.

Other stitches like stockinette stitch, seed stitch, and Irish moss stitch can also be used for dishcloths and can create interesting textures, but they may not be as sturdy as the knit stitch.

It’s also important to use a yarn that is durable and absorbent, such as cotton, for your dishcloth.

Overall, the knit stitch is a great choice for a simple, effective, and versatile square dishcloth (created using a diagonal garter stitch pattern).

How Many Stitches Do I Cast On For A Dishcloth?

The number of stitches you cast on for a dishcloth can vary depending on your preferred size, yarn weight, and desired pattern.

However, a typical size for a dishcloth is around 8 to 10 inches square, and you can use the following guidelines to estimate the number of stitches to cast on:

For worsted-weight cotton yarn (which is commonly used for dishcloths), you can cast on approximately 36-40 stitches, for an 8-inch dishcloth (small size) or 46-50 stitches for a 10-inch dishcloth.

If you prefer a smaller or larger dishcloth, you can adjust the number of stitches accordingly.

It’s also a good idea to make a gauge swatch with your chosen yarn and needles to ensure that your dishcloth will turn out the right size.

By measuring your gauge swatch, you can calculate the number of stitches you need to cast on to achieve your desired size.

Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and you can adjust the number of stitches based on your personal preference and the pattern you choose.

What Is The Average Size Of A Knitted Dishcloth?

The average size of a knitted dishcloth can vary depending on personal preference, the pattern used, and the yarn and needles chosen.

However, the typical size for a knitted dishcloth is approximately 8 to 10 inches square.

An 8-inch dishcloth is a common size that is easy to handle and can be used for a variety of tasks.

A 10-inch dishcloth provides more surface area for cleaning and may be preferred for larger dishes or messes.

Of course, you can also adjust the size of your dishcloth based on your personal preference and the intended use.

A smaller dishcloth may be useful for cleaning glasses or wiping down counters, while a larger dishcloth may be better suited for cleaning pots and pans or drying dishes.

When knitting a dishcloth, it’s a good idea to make a gauge swatch with your chosen yarn and needles to ensure that your finished dishcloth will turn out the right size.

By measuring your gauge swatch, you can calculate the number of stitches and rows you need to achieve your desired size.

What Do You Knit Dishcloths With?

Dishcloths are typically knit with 100% cotton yarn, as cotton is absorbent, durable, and easy to care for.

Cotton yarn also holds up well to frequent washing and can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for cleaning and scrubbing.

Worsted weight dishcloth cotton yarn is a common choice, as it is readily available and easy to work with.

Some popular brands of cotton yarn for dishcloths include Lily Sugar ‘n Cream and Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton.

When choosing yarn for your dishcloth, it’s important to choose a colorfast yarn that won’t bleed or fade when washed.

You’ll also want to consider the texture of the yarn – a smooth yarn will create a more polished, uniform fabric, while a textured yarn can create more interest and scrubbing power.

In addition to yarn, you’ll need a pair of knitting needles in an appropriate size for your chosen yarn, scissors, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

With these basic materials, you can easily knit a stack of practical and useful dishcloths for your kitchen.

How Do You Knit A Corner-To-Corner Dishcloth?

Knitting a corner-to-corner dishcloth is a simple and fun project that can be completed in a short amount of time (we love quick projects!).

To make this diagonal dishcloth you need to know (or learn) how to cast on, how to knit, how to do a YO – yarn over, and how to cast off.

This can also be used as a washcloth, so making washcloths or dishcloths will make fabulous gifts.

Make a set to give away as a housewarming gift using different colors to compliment those knit stitches.

Here are the steps to knit a corner-to-corner dishcloth:

Materials needed:

• Yarn: Worsted-weight or DK cotton yarn.
• Needle Size: 4 mm (US 6) for DK yarn (a medium weight yarn) or 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles for worsted weight yarn.
• Scissors
• Yarn needle.
• Measuring tape.

*For the video tutorial and photos you can see I used 4 mm (US 6) knitting needles with DK cotton yarn – Ricorumi Spin Spin in Classic Rainbow (018) (one cake is 50g/115m).

For one dishcloth you will need around 30g of yarn.

Gauge – 22 sts/42 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm in garter stitch.

Skill Level – Basic (for beginners)

Abbreviations

• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together (decrease)
• YO – Yarn over (increase)
• Rep – Repeat

Instructions:

Cast on 5 stitches.

• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: K3, YO, K2. (6 sts)
• Row 3: K3, YO, K3. (7 sts)
• Row 4: K3, YO, K to end of row.

Rep row 4 until you have 58 sts (or your work measures 10 inches across).

Decrease

• Row 1: K2, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K to end.
• Rep row 1 until you have 7 sts left on the needle.
• Next row: K2tog, K2tog, K2tog, K1.
• Cast off
• Weave in any loose ends.
• Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail, and use your yarn needle to weave the tail through the edges of your dishcloth to create a neat border.

And that’s it!

Your corner-to-corner diagonal knit dishcloth is complete.

How Do You Knit A Diagonal Blanket?

You can also follow this pattern to make baby blankets.

You will start off with the increase section and then when the correct width has been achieved start the decrease rows.

You can see an easy knitting pattern for a baby blanket here – Corner to Corner Baby Blanket Pattern.

You can see more dishcloth knitting patterns here.

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If you enjoyed making the easy knit dishcloth pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!