Trellis Dishcloth

Trellis Dishcloth by Joan Laws

What Is Being Made

The Trellis Dishcloth is a beginner-friendly knitted dishcloth designed by Joan Laws. This finished project measures 9 inches by 9 inches (23 centimeters square), making it an ideal size for everyday kitchen use. The dishcloth features a decorative trellis pattern created through strategic combinations of knit and purl stitches that form a visually interesting openwork design.

Craft and Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft, making it suitable for knitters of all skill levels, particularly beginners. The pattern employs a straightforward construction method: cast on stitches, work through a series of pattern rows, and bind off. The trellis effect is achieved by alternating sections of solid knit rows with rows that combine knit and purl stitches in specific sequences, creating a lattice-like visual texture across the fabric.

Stitches Used

The Trellis Dishcloth utilizes fundamental knitting stitches that form the foundation of most knitted projects:

• Knit stitch (K): The basic stitch that creates the primary fabric structure
• Purl stitch (P): The reverse of the knit stitch, used in combination with knits to create the trellis pattern
• Ribbing: Created through alternating knit and purl stitches (notated as K1, P1), which adds texture and definition to portions of the design

The pattern operates on a multiple of 10 stitches plus 5 additional stitches, with 35 stitches cast on initially. The pattern repeats are worked over 10-row sequences, which are repeated multiple times throughout the project to build the complete trellis design.

Materials

Yarn: The Trellis Dishcloth is worked in Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn, a 100% cotton fiber that is ideal for dishcloths due to its durability, absorbency, and washability. One skein in red is required, with a yardage of 120 yards (70.9 grams). The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), which is a medium-weight yarn that works up at a moderate pace.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5 millimeters) needles are recommended, though the pattern notes that you may use a different needle size if necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 15.5 stitches over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge ensures the finished dishcloth will measure the intended 9-inch square and that the trellis pattern will display correctly.

Pattern Summary

The Trellis pattern consists of repeating 12-row and 10-row sequences that build the decorative trellis effect. The first 12 rows establish the pattern foundation with alternating rows of solid knit, ribbed sections, and reverse stockinette combinations. The subsequent 10-row repeat cycles through variations of knit and purl arrangements that create the characteristic lattice appearance. This sequence is worked twice more, followed by one final repeat of the initial 12-row section. The project concludes with a single knit row before binding off all stitches. Final finishing involves weaving in yarn ends and blocking the completed dishcloth to even out the fabric and set the pattern definition.