Matching Fancy Dishcloth

Matching Fancy Dishcloth by Carol Trouba

Project Overview

The Matching Fancy Dishcloth is a knitted cotton dishcloth designed by Carol Trouba to coordinate with the Fancy Stay Put Towel. This intermediate-level knitting project allows crafters to match towel colors, introduce new accent colors, or incorporate ombre yarns for a coordinated kitchen textile set. The finished dishcloth measures 8 x 8 inches, making it a practical and decorative addition to any kitchen.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a square dishcloth featuring a decorative stitch pattern that repeats throughout the fabric. The design is worked in three colors of worsted weight cotton yarn, allowing for creative color combinations. Each 8-row repeat uses approximately 6 grams of yarn, making this an economical project that uses minimal yardage.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Casting on – The project begins with casting on 42 stitches using Color A
• Garter stitch borders – Knit 3 rows at the beginning and maintained 3-stitch garter stitch edges on both sides throughout the pattern for structure and stability
• Yarn overs (yo) – Creates decorative openwork and lace elements within the stitch pattern
• Decreases (k2tog) – Knit two stitches together to shape and balance the yarn overs
• Color changes – The pattern incorporates three distinct yarn colors strategically placed throughout the design

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The primary stitch used is a variation of Old Shale, a classic lace stitch pattern known for its elegant wave-like appearance. The Old Shale variation creates an openwork design through the strategic combination of yarn overs and decreases. The pattern repeats every 8 rows, with Row 1 worked as a knit row on the right side, Row 2 as a purl row with garter stitch edges on the wrong side, and Row 3 featuring the main decorative element: three consecutive decreases followed by six yarn overs with knit stitches between them, repeated across the row with garter stitch borders maintained. Row 4 returns to purling across with garter edges. This creates a balanced, symmetrical lace pattern that is both visually interesting and structurally sound.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n' Cream worsted weight cotton totaling 53 yards across three colors – Color A: Daisy Ombre (22 yards), Color B: Hot Orange (22 yards), and Color C: Hot Green (9 yards). Worsted weight cotton is ideal for dishcloths as it provides durability, absorbency, and easy care.

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) needles are required for this project.

Gauge: The pattern is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when measured in pattern, which is essential for achieving the finished dimensions.

Finished Dimensions

The completed dishcloth measures 8 x 8 inches, creating a compact square suitable for everyday kitchen use or as a decorative accent piece.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with yarn overs, decreases, and managing multiple colors in a single project.