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Knit a Diagonal Basket Weave Washcloth

This post shares a pattern for and videos illustrating knitting the Diagonal Basket Weave Washcloth.

The knit-geek in me is flat-out swooning over my new favorite stitch pattern, so much so that I immediately used the stitch to knit this diagonal basket weave washcloth and I knit a blanket out of the same stitch!

Instructions to knit a diagonal basket weave washcloth, with an added crocheted picot edging. Perfect for your home or for gifts.

Isn’t it lovely…the pattern mimics a woven cloth.

The diagonal basketweave stitch’s mechanics are like weaving as you skip stitches and work the front and back of stitches. I have a tutorial that shows how to knit the diagonal basketweave stitch here.

And while it looks complicated, it is an easy stitch to master and quite fun to work. I’ve prepared some videos that may help visual learners make their diagonal basket weave washcloth.

Some Common Questions About Knitting Dishcloths + Washcloths

What kind of yarn is best for dishcloths?

Stick to cotton or cotton blends for your dishcloths. If you go the blend route, make sure it is primarily cotton (70/30 or 80/20) as the cotton is what makes the yarn absorbent.

How Big Should a Dishcloth Be?

Most standard washcloths are 11″ square, and most standard dishcloths are 8″ square. That being said, you can make your dishcloth or washcloth any size you want.

If you want to make a smaller dishcloth with this pattern, cast on 49 stitches versus the 61 stitches indicated.

Mercerized or Unmercerized Cotton?

For the most absorbent dishcloth, you want an unmercerized cotton as the mercerization process reduces the absorbency of the fibers. Unmercerized cotton is nubbier and has a more ‘natural’ look to it.

However, mercerized cotton dishcloths will have a nicer sheen, come in a wider range of rich colors, will most likely last longer, and won’t get as ‘soaking wet’ as a result of the mercerization process. It’s a ‘personal choice,’ I’m not sure that there is a right or wrong.,

Dishcloth Yarn Recommendations:

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What you need to make 2 Diagonal Basket Weave Washcloths:

Finished measurement of 10.5 inches by 10.5 inches

  • I skein worsted weight, 100% cotton.  200 yards made 2 washcloths.  I used Lily Sugar’n Cream

(I have listed other great yarns for knitting dishcloths and washcloths towards the end of this post)

  • Size 6 knitting needles or to fit your gauge
  • 3.75 MM Crochet Hook
  • Gauge:  18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Stocking Stitch
  • Stitches to Know:
    • K: Knit
    • P: Purl
    • K tbl: Knit through the back loop
    • Sk: skip the next stitch
    • SC: crochet single stitch
    • CH: crochet chain stitch

Instructions to Knit Diagonal Basketweave Washcloth:

If you want to resize your washcloth, I have explained that process in this post: How to Resize a Blanket, Washcloth, or Towel.

  • Cast on 61 stitches (or a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1)

N&N Hint: Try to keep your tension a little loose while working this stitch because your material will get a little tight.

  • For the 1st row and every subsequent knit row; K1, with yarn in the back, skip the next stitch (but leave the stitch on the left-hand needle) and K tbl the subsequent stitch, leaving that stitch on the left-hand needle.
  • Then bring your right-hand needle upfront and knit the stitch that you initially skipped.  Repeat this pattern until the last two stitches and K2. This video should help show you what to do on the knit row.
  • Then, for the 2nd row and every subsequent purl row; K1, Skip the next stitch (but leave it on the left-hand needle) and purl the subsequent stitch, leaving that stitch on the left-hand needle. Then purl the stitch you initially skipped. Repeat this pattern until the last two stitches remain and K2. This video should help show you what to do on the purl row.
  • Work until desired length (I worked mine until it measured 9.5″).
  • You can’t just cast off as you normally would because the tension on your cast-off row will be much looser than that of the rest of the work.
  • As a result, on your cast-off row, work a row in either a knit or purl diagonal basketweave stitch. You’ll have 3 stitches on your right-hand needle (the initial K stitch and the 2 you just worked). Take the middle stitch and pass it over the stitch on the left side and then the far right stitch and pass it over the remaining stitch on the right-hand needle.
  • Here’s another video to illustrate that.

Add a Crochet Edge to Your Washcloth

  • Bind off, but don’t cut yarn and switch to your crochet hook to add a crochet edge to finish the diagonal basket weave washcloth.
  • Using a crochet hook, SC into each Stitch.  It’s pretty easy to see where to pick up on your cast-on and cast-off row, but a little harder on the sides.  Aim to pick up two for every three rows on each side. I also try to catch the yarn tails from my cast-on so that they’re wrapped in the SCs because it makes it nice not to have loose tails.
  • When you come to your corners, work 2 chain stitches into your corner stitch.
  • I did a little illustration of how I put the crochet picot edge on a different washcloth here.  The only difference is that on this current washcloth, I put 3 SCs between each picot as opposed to the one SC in the one I linked to. But basically, it’s 1 PC, 3 Sc, and repeat that pattern around the second row. In addition, here’s a little video showing how to add the picot edging on this diagonal basket weave washcloth.

Holy Cow! That’s four videos in one post for one washcloth! But I want to make sure that you make this washcloth and so now you have no excuse not to! I hope this gets added to your knitting to-do list, because I know you’ll enjoy working on the pattern.

These knit up pretty quickly.  You could knit a stash for unexpected gift-giving!

Instructions to knit a diagonal basket weave washcloth, with an added crocheted picot edging. Perfect for your home or for gifts.

If you like this Diagonal Basketweave Washcloth Pattern, then pop over here to see more knit & crochet patterns, which do include a few more Wash Cloth patterns.

Here’s a round-up of some great items to accompany your hand-knit diagonal basketweave washcloth if you’re looking to gift them.

This little assortment would be a fun girly gift paired with one of your washcloths!

And for a more subdued, spa-like gift basket, love this copper-themed grouping:

Or this more natural-themed grouping:

However you decide to ‘gift’ your washcloths, I know the recipient will be thrilled.

Pin the following image so that you can refer back to this page for all the patterns for your future washcloth knitting projects!

Free pattern showing how to knit diagonal basket weave washcloth with crochet picot edging.These diagonal basketweave dishcloths are easy DIY, perfect for your home & gifts.

Isn’t this the loveliest washcloth you’ve ever seen? Perfect for gifting or spa-ifying your bathroom.

Looking for More Knit and Crochet Patterns?

Check out these dishcloth and washcloth patterns

Looking for other knit and crochet patterns? Pop over here for all my knit & crochet patterns in one place!

Thanks again for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me today.

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Until next time…

Hugs,

Signature of Lynn

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!

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19 Comments

  1. Thank you for the pattern…anxious to try it. However, the Daisy Stitch Washcloth and Chinese Weave Pattern I think are the same pattern.

    1. Thanks Darlene…little glitch there, but it’s been remedied so give it another try.

      Hope you have a wonderful weekend with plenty of time to knit!

      Hugs, Lynn

  2. I love this pattern, Lynn and the other one, as well. Winter are my knitting months, so I’ll print out instructions for cold winter nights. BTY, my beach friend, Vicki, plans to move to Durham in September! You never know what’s around the corner in life…Happy 4th of July weekend!

    1. Wow! It’s Kismet! Maybe she’s a knitter and you two can get together over knitting projects!
      Wishing you and Bob and wonderful Fourth of July weekend.
      Hugs, Lynn

  3. Lynn – I love the simplicity of all your knitting projects. This was cloth has a beautiful timeless pattern. What a beautiful piece for any bathroom!

    1. Thanks Ilka…I have loved to knit for years and these washcloths are a quick project for me. Thanks for swinging by today and hope you have a wonderful weekend.
      Hugs, Lynn

  4. ????so pretty ?I love making by hear little cloths in the Summer in dear a umbrella in my backyard with some water under my umbrella ?fun gifts with a pretty bar of soap?so pretty ?fun Hugs to all xox ?

    1. Happy Fourth of July Regina!Sounds like the perfect set up for a little summer knitting! And I’m with you that they make the perfect gift…but I do have a hard time not putting them to use in my own home. Guess I just need to make more.
      Wishing you a wonderful day!
      Hugs, Lynn

    2. Happy Fourth of July Regina!Sounds like the perfect set up for a little summer knitting! And I’m with you that they make the perfect gift…but I do have a hard time not putting them to use in my own home. Guess I just need to make more.
      Wishing you a wonderful day!
      Hugs, Lynn

  5. Thank you so much for the new stitch!! I am always looking for new ones to try. I make a washcloth first and if I like it then I make a blanket. I really appreciate the videos. Sometimes I just need to see it. This was the first email I received from you, as I am new, and already I am thrilled I signed up. Thanks again!!

    1. Aw Patti…you just made my day! Thanks so much for signing up and even more for taking some of your precious time to drop that kind comment. Like you, I can’t wait to use this stitch into a blanket. I’ve bought the yarn and needles to make a large blanket for this fall and will post it once I finish it…but first I need to start it!?
      Thanks again for swinging by today and wishing you a fantastic, summery week.
      Hugs, Lynn

  6. Thank goodness for Geeks!! Where would we be without you and Bill Gates? Your designs are just breathless. I’m NOT a fan of dish or washcloths; but you can bet your last penny that I WILL be making these. You’ve inspired us again. Thank you.

    Thelma

    1. Aw Thelma, I am a proud Geek! And your note is too sweet and so very encouraging. Thank-you! I am working on making my patterns easier to print off, so check back in a week or two!
      Until then, Happy Knitting.
      Hugs, LYnn

  7. Lynn, I had saved some of your dishcloth/washcloth patterns previously. My computer died and, you would think that a software engineer would back up her data at home. Of course, I wasn’t going to lose MY data. So, while watching TV, I often surf the net and as I find things which still interest me, I am again collecting patterns of interest. I like to knit dishcloths, chemo caps, and preemie caps. My daughter is very picky and she does ask me from time to time if I have some knit dishcloths. They make great presents for her. I do make some “fun” ones for her two because she has two sons, 5 and 10. So, I either send some or take them when I go to Albuquerque. I am a breast cancer survivor and had hair to my waist when I diagnosed. I cut it before I ever started treatment and donated so children could have a wig. I have donated 3 times since and thought I was done and now I’m trying to grow it out at least one more time. The places will take gray hair and sell it to raise $ to help with the costs. My daughter’s sons were each preemies. So, that is another cause near and dear to me. I think to quilt and haven’t even pieced since my second husband died 3 years ago. My son and his 3 year old daughter live with me, so dishcloths are also a perfect outlet for my little bit of creativity since I can “drop” a project fairly quickly to tend to her. Thanks for sharing your adorable patterns with the knitting world. I’m going to be knitting for some friends for Christmas in the next couple of weeks. I usually have started long before this. This year has just been different – in a great way. I really like the picot edging on the feminine dishcloths. I may make my granddaughter some cloths for her bath. She is a little diva. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Susan

    1. Hi Susan,

      First off, thanks so much for your lovely note. It’s comments like yours that get me moving each and every day. It mean so much to me that you took the time to share your thoughts and a peek into your life with me.

      I am so glad that my patterns are finding a good home with you! Like you, I love to knit. Though truth be told, I haven’t had too much time for it lately. I plan to take 2 weeks off from the blog over Christmas and would love nothing more than to sit down and get some knitting done. I have started a blanket and really would love to make some progress on

      Wishing you a lovely Monday.

      Hugs, Lynn

  8. love love this pattern and want to make for my sister’s Christmas gift. May i ask what knitting needles you are using on the wash cloths?

    1. Hi Rebecca, I used the Susan Bates, US 6 on this pattern. Very happy with those needles, but it seems that they are not being sold anymore. 😒

  9. Hi Lynn,
    Loved the pattern. But trying to watch the tutorial video for the pivot edge was a bit hard to follow because of the two popup windows that appears. I already have popups blocked, so I don’t know what’s going on.

    1. Good Morning Penny, Thanks for letting me know that! I didn’t realize that those two ads popped up and blocked the video. I’ve removed them, so you should be good to go now.

      Sorry for the frustration, but thanks for the heads up!

      Lynn

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