RAILROADS Square

RAILROADS Square Dishcloth by Terry Liann Morris

What is Being Made

The RAILROADS Square is a 7-inch washable dishcloth designed as a holiday mystery gift project. This knitted square combines two different colors of worsted weight yarn to create a visually interesting textile that appears more complex than the actual knitting process requires.

Techniques Used

The primary technique employed in this project is slip stitch patterning, which creates textured ladders across the fabric. The design uses a clever construction method where knitters work with only one color of yarn per row, making the two-color effect manageable for intermediate-level crafters. A key technique involves slip stitch edge stitches worked with specific yarn positioning: each slip stitch at the row beginning is worked with yarn held in front, slipped as if to purl, then the yarn is moved to the back through the needle tips before knitting the next stitch. This creates clean, finished edges on the completed square.

Stitches Used

• Slip stitches (worked with controlled yarn positioning for edge definition)
• Knit stitches
• Textured Ladder Slip Stitch Pattern (the primary stitch pattern creating the visual interest)

Materials and Tools

This project requires worsted weight washable yarn in two contrasting colors. Knitters will need US size 7 (4.5mm) needles or the appropriate size to achieve proper gauge. The pattern provides flexibility in yarn selection, noting that worsted weight yarns vary considerably in actual size. Crafters should choose their gauge and cast-on stitch count based on their specific yarn and desired fabric flexibility to achieve the 7-inch square finished size.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern offers two gauge options: 4.4 stitches per inch or 5.3 stitches per inch measured over the Pattern Stitch, allowing customization based on individual yarn characteristics and knitting tension. Cast-on options are provided at 31 stitches or 37 stitches using the Long-Tail cast-on method with light-colored yarn.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore slip stitch techniques and two-color knitting without the complexity of carrying multiple yarns simultaneously.