Bring a little merry magic to your sink with the Holly Jolly Dishcloth — a quick knit in festive red, green, and snowy white.

This beginner-friendly square makes a perfect stocking stuffer, last-minute gift, or cheerful kitchen refresh for the holidays.

The texture comes from the simple, cozy Irish moss stitch pattern, which is soft, squishy, and super practical for everyday use.

You’ll work tidy white borders with bold striped color in the center, plus a neat edge technique to avoid holes when changing colors.

Before You Get Started

Here are a few tips before you begin your Christmas dishcloth:

Choose a cotton blend yarn that’s absorbent, durable, and soft — perfect for dishcloths or facecloths.
Use contrasting festive colors to create clean stripes and a bold holiday look.
The Irish moss stitch is an easy 4-row repeat that gives a lovely, nubbly texture — ideal for beginners.
You’ll also learn a touch of intarsia colorwork, used to carry the yarn neatly along the sides without holes.

Holly Jolly Dishcloth Knitting Pattern Free Printable

Tools & Materials

Yarn:

Sirdar Snuggly Replay DK – 50% Cotton / 50% Acrylic
- Yarn A – Whizz Kid White
- Yarn B – Racecar Red
- Yarn C – Leapfrog Green
- Yarn D – Go Faster Green

Total Used: Approx. 85–100 m

Needles: 4 mm (US 6)

Notions: Tape measure, scissors, yarn needle

Pattern Notes

The Irish moss stitch alternates knits and purls to create a lovely bumpy texture.
You’ll use an intarsia technique along the edges — twisting yarns at color joins to prevent gaps and holes.
Gauge isn’t crucial, but it helps to maintain an even tension for a neat square.

Finished Size: 10 x 10 inches (25 x 25 cm)

Gauge: 22 sts / 28 rows = 4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) in Irish Moss Stitch

Working Neat Color Changes with the Intarsia Technique

When you knit a dishcloth with a white border and a colorful center, you’re working with two (or more) yarns at once — one for the edge and one for the main section.

Instead of carrying the yarn across the back (like in stripes), you’ll use a simple intarsia join at the color change.

Here’s how to do it:

Keep each color attached – don’t cut your yarn every time you switch. You’ll have a ball for the white edge and one for the main color.
When you reach the color change, bring the new yarn up from under the old yarn before you start knitting with it.
This twist links the two yarns together, preventing a hole or gap at the join.
Each time you switch colors at the edge, repeat the twist — it keeps your sides neat and securely joined.

Tip: You’ll always twist in the same direction each time (consistency is key). If you look closely at the wrong side, you’ll see tidy, interlocked strands running up the edge — no loops or gaps!

Abbreviations

K – knit
P – purl
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

Christmas Dishcloth Pattern Instructions

With Yarn A (White), cast on 53 sts.

Work 6 rows in garter stitch (K every row).

Begin Irish Moss Stitch Pattern

Row 1 (RS): K3 with Yarn A, place marker (pm), add in Yarn B — P1, K1 across to last 6 sts, pm, K3 with Yarn A.
Row 2 (WS): K3 with Yarn A, slip marker, with Yarn B P1, K1 across to last 6 sts, slip marker, K3 with Yarn A.
Row 3 (RS): K3 with Yarn A, sm, with Yarn B K1, P1 across to last 6 sts, sm, K3 with Yarn A.
Row 4 (WS): K3 with Yarn A, sm, with Yarn B K1, P1 across to last 6 sts, sm, K3 with Yarn A.

Repeat Rows 1–4 (changing colors) until your piece measures 9.5″ (24 cm) from the cast-on edge.

Work the Edge & Stripes

Keep the 3 edge stitches on either side in Yarn A, twisting yarns where they meet (this prevents holes — the intarsia method).

Work 4 rows in each color:

Yarn B (Red)
Yarn C (Light Green)
Yarn D (Dark Green)

Then, change to Yarn A (White) and Knit 6 rows.

Cast off.

Finishing Touches

Weave in all loose ends neatly using your yarn needle.

Lightly block your dishcloth if desired — it helps even out the texture and shape.

This cheerful knit makes a wonderful stocking stuffer or kitchen accent — and pairs perfectly with homemade soaps or holiday-scented candles.

FAQs & Tips

→ Can I use other yarns?

Yes! Any DK cotton or cotton-blend yarn works well for this dishcloth pattern.

→ What’s Irish moss stitch?

It’s a simple four-row pattern of alternating knits and purls — similar to seed stitch but with an offset that creates a “pebbled” texture.

→ What’s intarsia?

Intarsia is a colorwork technique used to knit blocks of color without carrying yarn across the back.

In this project, you’ll twist yarns at the edges to keep your borders tidy and hole-free.

→ How can I make it bigger?

Add stitches in multiples of two plus the 6-stitch border (3 each side).

Free Printable

To make this project even easier, I’ve created a free printable version of the Holly Jolly dishcloth pattern.

You can keep it handy while you work—no need to keep checking your phone or scrolling through the blog.

It’s perfect for printing out or saving to your tablet for easy access anytime.

Just click the print button below to grab your free copy!

Yield: Striped Irish Moss Stitch Dishcloth

Holly Jolly Christmas Dishcoth Pattern (Irish Moss Stitch)

In this pattern, you’ll knit the Irish moss stitch in bold Christmas stripes and change colors without messy gaps.

Follow the simple intarsia twist at the edges to lock the yarns together, giving your dishcloth smooth, professional-looking sides.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 40 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Advanced Beginner

Estimated Cost $15

Materials

Sirdar Snuggly Replay DK – 50% Cotton / 50% Acrylic
Yarn A – Whizz Kid White
Yarn B – Racecar Red
Yarn C – Leapfrog Green
Yarn D – Go Faster Green
Total Used: Approx. 85–100 m

Tools

Needles: 4 mm (US 6)
Notions: Tape measure, scissors, yarn needle