RACE CAR Cloth

RACE CAR Cloth Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The RACE CAR Cloth is a decorative washcloth designed by Ezcareknits and published by Easy Care Baby Knits, LLC. This finished piece measures 9.5 inches wide by 10 inches tall, making it an ideal size for everyday kitchen or bathroom use. The design features a race car motif created through strategic knit and purl stitches that form a picture when the cloth is complete.

Materials Required

This pattern calls for 100% cotton yarn in a medium/worsted weight, with a total yardage requirement of 130 yards. The yarn choice is particularly practical for washcloths, as cotton provides excellent absorbency and durability for frequent washing and use. You will also need straight knitting needles in size 7 (4.5mm) to achieve the proper gauge, and a darning needle for finishing the edges and weaving in yarn ends.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This beginner-level pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to those new to the craft. The primary stitches used throughout the design are:

• Knit stitch (K) – the basic foundation stitch worked across multiple rows to create the flat, textured fabric base
• Purl stitch (P) – used strategically in combination with knit stitches to create the visual race car design through contrasting texture

The pattern begins with a cast-on of 49 stitches, establishing the width of the washcloth. The first seven rows are worked entirely in knit stitch, creating a garter stitch border that frames the design. From row 8 onward, the pattern introduces a combination of knit and purl stitches in specific sequences to build the race car image.

The design uses a technique where purl stitches are placed strategically against a knit background to create a picture or motif. This creates visual interest through texture rather than color changes, making it an ideal approach for single-color yarn. The pattern progresses through rows 1 to 57, with the race car design becoming increasingly detailed in the middle rows (rows 17 through 51) before concluding with a final knit row at row 57.

The garter stitch edging (knit stitches on both sides) at the beginning and end of rows provides structure and prevents curling, which is essential for a functional washcloth. The combination of right-side rows (worked entirely in knit) and wrong-side rows (featuring the knit-purl combinations) creates the dimensional effect that brings the race car design to life.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent choice for knitters who have mastered basic cast-on and stitch techniques but are ready to explore simple colorwork alternatives through texture. No advanced techniques such as increases, decreases, or complex stitch patterns are required.