The Almost Lost Washcloth pattern posted on our site was a casually shared, handwritten pattern that my Mom in law received from a friend. While many loved it, all you have to do is look at the comments to see that there were a large number of knitters who were confused and frustrated by the unusual, old-time terminology used in the pattern.
To help, I decided it would be a good idea to create an Almost Lost Washcloth tutorial to clarify the confusing bits. Although I loved the charming shorthand of the original pattern, (made it so easy for me to remember! Leave 2, knit back, Leave 4, knit back, etc), if I were to rewrite the pattern in modern knitting terms, I’d write it this way:
using approximately 50 yards worsted weight cotton and size US 8 needles:
cast on 14 stitches using long tail cast on method.
row 1: knit
row 2: k4, yo, knit 8
row 3: Leaving last 2 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (15 stitches on needle)
row 4: k4, yo, knit 7
row 5: Leaving last 4 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (16 stitches on needle)
row 6: k4, yo, knit 6
row 7: Leaving last 6 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (17 stitches on needle)
row 8: k4, yo, knit 5
row 9: Leaving last 8 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (18 stitches on needle)
row 10: bind off first 4 stitches, knit to end of row. (14 stitches on needle)
repeat rows 1 – 10 thirteen more times for a total of fourteen points.
Bind off all stitches. Using mattress stitch, seam beginning and ending rows to close the circlular cloth. Picking up innermost bumps of each garter ridge with your tapestry needle, cinch together open circle in middle of cloth and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Our Knitting Abbreviations page may help also.
Here’s some photos to help with these instructions:
These first four photos show the process of turning your work, leaving stitches on the left hand needle un-knit. Knitting like this is called “short rows”. Often these types of instructions come with wrapping and turning to prevent holes in the knitted cloth. That’s unnecessary with this pattern. You can see that by the time you’ve completed row 7, you’re getting a fan shaped segment.
after completion of row 2
after turning, preparing to knit row 3
after completion of row 6
after turning, preparing to knit row 7
after completion of row 7
after completion of four points
Once you’ve completed 4 points, you can see that they are beginning to form a circle.
after binding off all stitches
Once all 14 points are completed, you’ll bind off all stitches in order to seam the starting and finishing ends together to complete your circle. Bind off loosely so your ending row will be the same length and have a similar stretchiness as your beginning row. Some knitters like to start with a provisional cast on and graft the first and last row together to avoid seaming and get a perfect looking join. I’ve practiced and gotten pretty good at mattress stitch, so I’m okay with stitching them together. Knitty has a wonderful mattress stitch tutorial.
after seaming with mattress stitch
picking up garter ridge bumps to close inner circle
If you run your tapestry needle through each of the inner garter ridge bumps, you get a nice, neat closure when you cinch the circle closed. After cinching, tie a knot and weave in ends.
inner circle cinched closed
And there you have the entire process! I hope if you’ve had questions, this has helped to answer them.
See more of our free knitting patterns here.
Aha, mattress stitch looks better than the stitch I used on the “many” I’ve made.
When I first saw this I thought I probably didn’t need it, but you’ve already shown me a thing or two. 😉
Thank you, Julie!
Have a great weekend!
Toni
I just made one of these and I’m in love! I was wondering if you wrap your turns? I did and love how wonderful it turned out! Just wondering if anyone else does it too. Thanks for the pattern 🙂
Hi Shelby! No wrapping and turning for me. Glad you enjoyed the pattern! 🙂
Yay! So glad it was helpful Toni! You’ve taught me a thing or two yourself. 🙂
With the look of this picture I thought it to be a baby bib!! Could you help me with a pattern to bind off in possibiy use this as a bib… what do you think?
Love the idea Mariam! I’ll see what I can do!
Whew! A little clarification has gone a long way. Thank you!
I have frogged this poor thing so many times it always looks like a long rectangle with sloped sides it not like I,m new to knitting just have not figured out what I,m doing wrong.
Maybe you’re having the same trouble I was…
There seems to be a row missing in this version of the pattern that accompanies this tutorial.
After casting off 4 and knitting to the end, BE SURE TO KNIT BACK. Check out her original pattern at https://www.simplynotable.com/2013/the-almost-lost-washcloth-pattern/
I hope this helps!
Row 1 in the repeat covers that Melanie. You start each repeat by a plain knit row. It’s written a bit differently than the original pattern, but following this tutorial covers the “knit back” without that direction which was confusing to people, so I wrote it this way to clarify. 🙂
Mine is turning out the same. A rectangle with the peak edges, it’s not becoming circular and I haven’t missed the row 1. Is the issue that you have to use double pointed needles? Instead of straight ones?
No, Olivia. This is knit on straight needles. The problem you’re having is due to missing a “knit back” row. You could try using a row counter or paper/pencil to tick off each row until you get the hang of it, or just remember that you always start a new wedge from the scalloped side. Hope that helps!
My cloths were lopsided due to binding off too tightly. I’m glad I followed the comments here, to see the tutorial. I don’t like the look I get when mattress stitching (looks like 2 knit rows) so I plan on trying the provisional with garter graft. I love this pattern!
I had that problem on my first one as well, Gayle, where my bind off edge was smaller than my cast on edge. We knit, we learn! 🙂
The stack of dishcloths were so beautiful, I couldn’t stop looking at them. I’m going to make my own stack of dishcloths.
Hey Pearly! The cuteness factor does multiply with the height of the stack, doesn’t it? 🙂 I’m always working on a larger stack for my bathroom, but they get adopted pretty quickly by visitors who admire them! 🙂
I figured it out. Instead of knitting back and leaving the stitches on the needle, I was knitting in the back of the stitches.
Glad to hear it, crazyladyx5!
What’s the difference? I just started knitting and this is my first project. It too is a rectangle. I did two correct then two the opposite direction and I’m not sure howor why .
Caitlin it becomes a rectangle when you forget to “knit back”. Try marking off each row as you knit it to be sure you don’t miss some
I have started and frogged this 4 times. I have no problem with the main part of it, but when I get to the cast off of the first four stitches, I have problems. Instead of having 14 stitches on the needle, I have fifteen. 14 on the left needle and one on the right needle. Help, please!
Hi Carolyn, Just cast off until you have only 14 stitches left. That’ll do the trick.
Okay, thank you! I was a bit frustrated when I wrote you for help because I’m a new knitter and I thought I was doing something wrong that I didn’t even thank you for the pattern, the tutorial and the pattern for the mini ones. So thank you! I am loving this pattern now! I also made a few of the mini ones. It’s a great project to do while I wait in the car to pick up my son from school.
How do you cast off when the extending yarn is at that end?
I’m not sure what you mean by this Sandy. Can you clarify?
thank you for this lovely pattern!
You’re so welcome, Elaine! 🙂
Hi. I love this but don’t know how to knit. Is there a crochet version ? Thanks so much !!!
There IS, Cherri! The Glamour4u blog created a pattern that’s very similar. Here’s the one’s I made from her pattern and this blog post links to her pattern as well: The Almost Lost Washcloth goes Crochet
what kind of yarn do you use worsted weight varigated or craft cotton wnat to know so i can try this pattern these would make nice gifts to add on to others presents such as birthdays or mothers day or christmas or even any holiday that you wish to give them.
Hi Susan, I use worsted weight kitchen cotton, such as Peaches n Cream or Sugar n Cream. They come in both solid and variegated colors. Knit Picks makes a nice cotton too, called Dishie.
Great pictures and instructions! I would have known what to do, the garter short rows, but I still like seeing photos and pix ..fun to reinforce.
Thankyou!
I use a similar patter to do doilies & wash cloths. I finally had to use a stitch marker where I left the stitch(es) on the needle & turn back to keep my count right. Nice easy pattern once you get the hang of it.
I made a loom knit version of this dishcloth using your pattern with some changes to accomodate the loom. Is it ok for me to share with my loom knit group?
Hi Elaine, if you get permission to share your loom pattern of The Almost Lost Dishcloth, I would be interested in it too. I am also curious to know what size and type of loom you are using. I am new to knitting and am just learning to use a 4 shaft table loom as well. My children and I are interested in learning these techniques. Thank you Simply Notable for sharing these sentimental patterns! Can’t wait to give them a try! Michelle
sure!
thank you very much for this lovely wee pattern. This is the first wash cloth I’ve made (I’m a novice knitter) and I’m addicted! I know it’s very early to mention the christmas word but I’m currently making a stack of these for pressies ?
I too struggles with the ‘mini” directions but then looked at your tutorial for the bigger version here, and it all came together…. I love these! thanks for the extra pictures to assist us!
Yay! Glad the photos help! You are so very welcome. We feel honored to have you reading along! 🙂
Another question though…. One version has you sew the side seam first and then cinch the middle…. the other version is the opposite…. does it matter???
Sew the side seam first Charmaine! Hope that helps!
I’m having the same problem as Dorinda – the petals are coming out in alternating directions. What have I ignored?
Kay, I think you need to be sure that when you repeat your petal, you start with row 1. It might help to mark off each row as you knit so you don’t accidentally skip one.
I am a self taught, new to knitting knitter. I am so excited to try this pattern. I am praying I can figure it out. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your easy to follow pattern. I’m a wicked fast crocheter but knitting has been a big challenge. I usually find my shoulders up in my ears when I try to knit. I made a number of the crochet ones first to get the hang of the way it is put together then tried this. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong with the yarn over (bringing from back not from front) I was easily able to follow this pattern. Thanks! !
I found this pattern almost by accident and I am so glad I did! I’m new to knitting but a quick learner. I was getting tired of knitting squares and rectangles so wanted to challenge myself. Being left handed I do everything backwards but am finding the pattern looks good in any direction.
Yay Danielle! Glad it works for you! Fun
Thank you so much for the pattern! I’m in love with these dish clothes!
I’ve recently started a Etsy shop to raise money for my Yoga Teacher Training by selling the items I knot.
Would you mind if I used this pattern to knit items for sale?
Here’s the link yo my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/heartwarmth
Thank you!
Lena.
Hi Lena,
Thanks so much for asking. Here is the fine print on our patterns: https://www.simplynotable.com/privacy-policy/ (the first paragraph).
PS. Beautiful etsy store!!!
Brilliant. I have a rug my grandmother made with this similar pattern. I’m desperate to learn and make this. I’m so very glad you made the tutorial ♡ ♡ ♡
My bind off is not working. Could you explain your bind off method? Thanks
Hi Liesl, I just use the basic bind off method shown here: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/binding-off
love this pattern, – just finished my first, sunny yellow and white. thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Beth! ❤️
Came across this on knitting paradise. Really cool. Thanks for pictures. Mw
Love this pattern and thank you so much for re-writing and sharing it with us. I have make several for gifts and am planning on making 10 more in the next couple of months for birthday club gifts.
Oh my gosh!! This is the pattern my mom used to make dishcloths for all of us. She passed away 3 years ago and the remaining washcloths are all pretty ratty looking but no one wants to throw them out. Now I can make new ones for us with “grandma’s” pattern! Thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Anne! Warms our hearts and makes blogging worthwhile! ?
A freind found your washcloth/dishrag pattern and shared it with me. It is super easy and I have almost finished 3 since yesterday. I am hooked and plan on making even more to give away. I did seam the first one using the suggested mattress stitch, but didn’t care for the look. This is just another option, but I used the provisional cast on and then used the Kitchener stitch to close. It makes for a virtually undetected seam. I know it’s weird, but I like doing the Kitchener stitch! Thanks so much for the pattern!
I understand totally, Carla. I love kitchener-ing the toes of my socks too. 🙂
Thanks for spelling this out! I found your pattern and knit one of the cloths last night and posted about it on my blog today, giving you credit for the pattern, of course. If I do make them to sell, I’ll make sure to credit you in my listings as well. (The blog post is listed in ‘website’).
Thanks Marie Anne for linking to us! So glad you’re enjoying the pattern!
Oh. My. Goodness. “Potato chip” knitting at its finest! Thank you for sharing your story and the design. I love to know the history of a design and will share it with my daughter to carry on the tradition. These little ditties are perfect for telly knitting. And the gifting possibilities boggle the mind! Brilliant!
Love the pattern, I hadn’t knitted in years but it all worked fine. Completed one in a short time.mmy question is if I would like to make it larger……is that possible?
I want to use as fry pan protectors & the one I just did isn’t large enough for the largest pan. I used size 8 needles, regular worsted yarn,
Would using 9 needles make it bigger? I’d most likely have to add more points?
I have a similar question. I’ve knitted several of these and LOVE the results, but I’d like to knit larger cloths. Not by using larger needles, but by knitting more stitches to make longer/taller petals. I’m going to experiment tomorrow on my way to see the total eclipse (WHEE!!), but if you already know how to do it, I’d love your instructions.
Thank you very much for the very helpful tutorial! And thank you for making this pattern available to another generation of knitters. The photos are awesome. Do you remember what yarn you used in the photos? The colors are beautiful!
Hi Beth, the yarn is Sugar and Cream kitchen cotton purchased at Micheal’s.
Love this pattern! Trying my hand at it as we speak. Are we supposed to have an additional stitch after each petal or am I missing something? I started petal 1 with 14sts, petal 2 with 15sts, and now petal 3 with 16 ?
LOL Cherie! You should start each section with the 14 stitches. Try binding off one more stitch than you think you should. ?
HI! I’m still a newbie knitter and I made my very first mini washcloth! It was so much fun! I’m still learning how to sew edges…but I love it! Can’t wait to make more! Thanks for sharing such a cute pattern!
You’re very welcome Beth!
This is a great pattern to try to learn yo’s and short rows, and the outcome is a beautiful washcloth! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Is there a version for a larger item? This pattern would make a beautiful baby blanket…..hope someone can help!
Hi Lisa,
I’m not aware of a larger pattern, however, if you modify it successfully or if you find one, please let us know!
Thank you!
-Carli
I love these little cloths for my 1 year old granddaughter but I can’t work out how you move from petal 1 to petal 2??? Sorry to be so blonde!
Thanks
Sam
Hi Sam, if you just follow the pattern line by line, it’ll happen! 🙂
I was wondering if this can be made bigger for ex large pans?
You would have to rework the pattern, Sandra. We’d love to know if you successfully do that!
Really enjoyed knitting this!
I’m so glad Pamela! 🙂
I found this through the knitting group on Facebook and needed a good hospital project. Such cute washcloths. I wondered if this would adapt well to an infant car seat size blanket. Is there a basic formula to expand the size of this? Or are you aware of one written to be larger? I would love to try this as a good waiting room project. Thank you.
Hi Kellye, No I’m not aware of any formula to enlarge this or another pattern for this made larger. If you find one, do let us know!
This Tutorial has helped me immensely! Have to admit I restarted 4 times but finally got it with the help of your pictures. Thank you so much for translating the sweet jargon. I wish I was better taught.
So glad the tutorial was helpful to you, Janie!
today I found the almost lost wash cloth. So easy and practical. Thank you
You’re welcome Maria! Enjoy!
Hi,
As soon as I have finished the first row I dont have 2 but only one stich left.
Its driving me nuts. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Mona
Hi Mona! Here’s the instructions for the first 3 rows:
cast on 14 stitches using long tail cast on method.
row 1: knit
row 2: k4, yo, knit 8
row 3: Leaving last 2 stitches on needle, turn and knit to end of row. (15 stitches on needle)
So, if you cast on 14 stitches, knitted them all in the first row, knitted 4 + knitted 8, in the second row that equals 12, so if you’d cast on 14 to begin with, you’d have 2 stitches left after you’d knitted the 12 stitches on row 2. Are you sure you are casting on a full 14 stitches?
Hope that helps you think about it differently! <3
Love the almost lost dishcloth would love to see it done in
Tunisian crochet
I do german short row and graft it together
I’ll bet that makes an extra nice finish Stefanie!
I just learned how to knit in December and have been making hats, I wanted to try something else that wasn’t too complicated and came across this, absolutely loved it. I thought it would look great as a placemat for company dinners and altered the pattern to make it a bit fancier. Thought I’d share it here.
cast on 20
Row 1. purl
Row 2. K6, yo, K12
Row 3. leaving 2, turn knit across (21 stitches)
Row 4. K6, yo, K11
Row 5. leaving 4, turn knit across (22 stitches)
Row 6. K6, yo, K10
Row 7. leaving 6, turn knit across (23 stitches)
Row 8. K6, yo, K9
Row 9. leaving 8, turn knit across (24 stitches)
Row 10. K6, yo, K8
Row 11. leaving 10, turn knit across (25 stitches)
Row 12. K6, yo, K7
Row 13. Leaving 12, turn knit across (26 stitches)
Row 14. bind off first 6, knit across (20 stitches)
Row 15. purl
Row 16. K4, yo, K14
Row 17. leaving 2, turn knit across (21 stitches)
Row 18. K4, yo, K13
Row 19. leaving 4, turn knit across (22 stitches)
Row 20. K4, yo, K12
Row 21. leaving 6, turn knit across (23 stitches)
Row 22, K4, yo, K11
Row 23. leaving 8, turn knit across (24 stitches)
Row 24. bind of first 4, knit across (20 stitches)
repeat rows 1-24 eight more times for a total of 18 points
Thank you so much for sharing your modification to the pattern Amy! ❤️
Hello,
Thanks for this wonderful pattern. For me (Dutch!) the original ‘old’ description is perfectly clear. I’m still learning the American abbreviations. So please keep the old one available, since Pinterest is worldwide.
Lots of love, Yoka
Will do Yoka! We love the old one – so full of charm!
Can this pattern be made into a bigger size? I made one following your directions and I just love it. It fits my small skillet but I need one to fit my larger skillet. I tried studying the pattern to increase the size but I just couldn’t figure it out. Can you help?
Thank you – Elaine
Hi Elaine, I haven’t spent the time wrapping my head around enlarging this. If I manage to sometime I’ll post it on the blog 😊
When knitting the YOs do you knit through the front or the back?
through the front, Lisa 😊
Thank you for still having your lovely pattern and after 4 years…Iam glad that I can refer back to this when I get one of my senior moments….this time I wrote it out..thks again..
Bellisimoooo❤️ Me encanto , lo hice muchas gracias por el tutorial!!! Besos.
You are so welcome Maria! ❤️