Covered Wagon

Covered Wagon Dishcloth by Ezcareknits

Project Overview

The Covered Wagon is a beginner-friendly knitted dishcloth designed by Ezcareknits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a practical, everyday washcloth measuring 7 inches wide by 7¼ inches tall. The design features a charming covered wagon motif created through strategic purl and knit stitches, making it both functional and decorative for kitchen use.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single square dishcloth or washcloth suitable for kitchen cleaning, dishwashing, or general household use. The finished piece combines utility with decorative patterning, featuring a pictorial design of a covered wagon rendered in knit and purl stitches across the fabric surface.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 100% cotton medium/worsted weight yarn (approximately 54 yards total)
• Needles: Straight knitting needles, U.S. size 7 (4.5mm), selected to achieve proper gauge

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginners. The primary stitches used are the knit stitch and the purl stitch, which form the foundation of the design.

• Cast-on: The pattern begins with casting on 37 stitches using size 7 needles
• Garter stitch: Rows 1 through 7 are worked entirely in knit across, creating a garter stitch border that provides a finished edge
• Stockinette and reverse stockinette combinations: The main body of the pattern alternates between knit and purl stitches to create the covered wagon image. Right-side rows feature the patterning, while wrong-side rows (rows 8 and all subsequent even-numbered rows through row 50) are worked as K4, P29, K4, maintaining knit borders on both edges
• Pictorial knitting: Rows 9 through 47 contain the detailed stitch pattern for the covered wagon design, with varying combinations of knit and purl stitches positioned strategically across the row to create the visual representation
• Bind-off: Row 49 is worked entirely in knit across, preparing for finishing

Yarn Weight and Fiber Content

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn (also referred to as 4-ply), which is a medium-thickness yarn ideal for creating fabric with good structure and drape. The 100% cotton fiber content makes this dishcloth particularly practical for kitchen use, as cotton is highly absorbent, durable, and machine-washable—essential qualities for a working dishcloth that will see frequent use and washing.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Covered Wagon requires only basic knitting knowledge. Knitters need to be comfortable with casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and binding off. The straightforward stitch combinations and the use of straight needles make this an excellent project for those developing foundational knitting skills while creating something immediately useful.