Bistro Kitchen Cloth

Bistro Kitchen Cloth by Two of Wands

What is Being Made

The Bistro Kitchen Cloth is a beginner-friendly knitted dishcloth designed by Two of Wands. This practical kitchen textile measures 14 inches wide by 18 inches long, making it a versatile size suitable for everyday kitchen tasks. The project uses a two-color knitting technique to create visual interest while maintaining an accessible skill level for new knitters.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental techniques that make it ideal for beginners. The cloth is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning you cast on stitches and work in rows rather than in the round. The pattern incorporates color work by switching between a main color and a contrast color at specified intervals. Slip stitches are used throughout the design, with all stitches slipped purlwise (from right to left as if to purl) to create a neat edge finish. The pattern specifically instructs not to carry the unused color up the side of the work, which simplifies the construction and prevents bulky edges.

Stitches Used

The Bistro Kitchen Cloth utilizes basic knitting stitches appropriate for a beginner project. The primary stitches include:

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch that forms the base of the fabric
• Slip stitch (sl): Used purlwise with yarn in front (wyif) to create decorative edges and texture
• Cast on (CO): The foundation row that creates 71 stitches to begin the cloth

The pattern alternates between two rows: Row 1 knits across with a slipped stitch at the end, while Row 2 creates a ribbed texture by alternating knit and slip stitches. This simple two-row repeat is repeated multiple times in different color combinations to build the complete cloth.

Materials and Tools

The Bistro Kitchen Cloth is made from Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, a worsted weight yarn (weight 4) that provides durability and absorbency ideal for kitchen use. You will need 2 skeins in Hay Bale (color 761-173) for the main color and 1 skein in Ecru (color 761-098) for the contrast color. Each skein contains 186 yards or 170 meters of yarn. The project requires Size US 6 (4mm) knitting needles to achieve the proper gauge of 20 stitches by 36 rows over 4 inches in pattern. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends after completion.