GEOMETRIC Square

GEOMETRIC Square Dishcloths by Terry Liann Morris

What is Being Made

The GEOMETRIC Square is a knitted dishcloth pattern designed to create a finished 7" square. This project is part of the Holiday Mystery Gifts collection and features a geometric mosaic slip stitch design called "Caesar's Check." The pattern is suitable for creating practical, washable kitchen textiles using worsted weight yarn.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate difficulty level. The primary technique featured in this pattern is the mosaic slip stitch method, which creates geometric patterns through strategic yarn color changes and slip stitches. This technique allows crafters to work with two colors of yarn simultaneously without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork, making it an excellent intermediate-level introduction to multi-color knitting.

The pattern employs the Long-Tail cast on method (also called the Sling-shot cast on) to begin the project. A notable construction detail involves slip stitch edge stitches worked with specific yarn management: the yarn is held in front, the stitch is slipped as if to purl, then the yarn is moved to the back through the needle tips before knitting the next stitch. This technique creates a neat, finished edge on the completed dishcloth.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch - the foundational stitch used throughout the pattern
• Slip stitch - worked with controlled yarn positioning to create mosaic effects and finished edges
• Mosaic slip stitch - the primary design technique that builds the "Caesar's Check" geometric pattern through strategic color changes and slip stitches

Materials and Specifications

This pattern requires worsted weight washable yarn in at least two colors (dark and light yarn are referenced in the instructions). The pattern is worked on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge.

The finished square measures 7" x 7" with a gauge of 4.4 to 5 stitches per 1 inch over the pattern stitch. The pattern provides flexibility in cast-on stitches (31 or 37 stitches are options), acknowledging that worsted weight yarns vary in actual size. This adaptability allows crafters to adjust their cast-on number and gauge selection to achieve the target 7" square dimensions with a flexible, appropriate fabric for dishcloth use.