BASKETWEAVE Square

BASKETWEAVE Square Dishcloth by Terry Morris

Project Overview

The BASKETWEAVE Square is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Terry Liann Morris (SailingKnitter) for creating practical, decorative dishcloths. This project produces a finished 7-inch square suitable for everyday kitchen use or as part of a holiday gift set. The pattern is free and accessible as a downloadable PDF, making it an excellent choice for knitters seeking functional home goods patterns.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a single washable dishcloth square measuring 7 inches by 7 inches. The design is intended as part of a "Holiday Mystery Gifts" collection of 7 x 7 squares, suggesting these pieces can be combined or gifted individually. The finished cloth features a textured basketweave surface that provides both visual interest and practical scrubbing capability for kitchen tasks.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with fundamental knitting techniques and pattern reading. The basketweave stitch itself, while not overly complex, demands attention to detail and consistent tension to achieve the proper textured appearance. This makes it an ideal project for knitters moving beyond basic garter stitch projects.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Long-Tail Cast On: Also called the Sling-shot cast on method, this technique is specified for creating an elastic, balanced edge suitable for dishcloths
• Garter Stitch: Used for the border rows (knit 2 stitches on each end) and for establishing the foundation of the cloth
• Stockinette and Reverse Stockinette Combinations: The basketweave pattern alternates knit and purl stitches to create dimensional texture
• Pattern Repeats: The design uses a repeating 8-row sequence that creates the characteristic basketweave appearance

Stitches and Stitch Pattern Details

The BASKETWEAVE pattern is the signature stitch for this project. It is created through a carefully orchestrated sequence of knit and purl rows that build a three-dimensional woven appearance.

Pattern Sequence: The basketweave is worked over an 8-row repeat (with row 11 beginning the next cycle). The pattern includes two size options: the smaller version uses 28 cast-on stitches, while the larger uses 34 stitches, allowing knitters to adjust based on their yarn characteristics and desired drape.

• Rows 1-2: Knit rows establish texture and transition between pattern sections
• Rows 3-6: First basketweave block alternates between (knit 1, purl 4, knit 1) and (purl 1, knit 4, purl 1) sequences, creating raised and recessed columns
• Rows 9-11: Second basketweave block shifts the pattern with (purl 2, knit 2, purl 2) and (knit 2, purl 2, knit 2) sequences, creating the interlocking woven effect
• Border Stitches: Two knit stitches maintained at each edge throughout provide a finished frame and prevent curling

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Yarn Weight: Worsted weight washable yarn is required. The pattern notes that worsted weight yarns vary considerably in actual thickness, so the designer provides flexibility in gauge and stitch count to accommodate different yarn brands and fiber contents. This washable requirement ensures the finished dishcloth can be laundered frequently for kitchen use.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) needles are recommended, though the pattern indicates "or size needed to obtain gauge," allowing knitters to adjust needle size based on their individual tension and yarn choice.

Gauge and Sizing Flexibility

The pattern specifies a gauge of 4 or 5 stitches per 1 inch in the basketweave pattern, with the dual stitch counts (28 or 34 stitches) corresponding to these two gauge options. This flexible approach acknowledges that achieving a precise 7-inch square matters more than matching a single specific gauge, making the pattern more accessible to knitters with varying tension and yarn selections.

Pattern Structure and Completion

After casting on 28 or 34 stitches using the Long-Tail method, knitters work 2 foundation rows in garter stitch before beginning the basketwe