Wrapped Stitches Washcloth in Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie Multi - LM5935 - Downloadable PDF

Wrapped Stitches Washcloth in Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie Multi – Pattern LM5935

This free downloadable knitting pattern, LM5935 Wrapped Stitches Washcloth, was designed by Sara Louise Greer and published by Red Heart. It produces a textured, functional washcloth or dishcloth measuring a neat 7 inches (17.75 cm) square — a satisfying, quick project that works up efficiently even for those new to knitting.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a knitted washcloth (also suitable as a dishcloth), designed to be both decorative and practical. The compact square format makes it an ideal stash-buster or beginner project, and the textured surface created by the wrapped stitch technique gives it a distinctive, eye-catching appearance that goes well beyond a plain stockinette or garter square.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie — 1 ball in colorway 2154 Zesty. This is a worsted weight specialty yarn designed specifically for scrubbing and cleaning tasks, making it an excellent choice for kitchen and bath accessories.
• Needles: Susan Bates knitting needles, 4mm [US size 6]
• Notions: A yarn needle for finishing

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge is recommended, and the pattern notes that any needle size may be used to achieve the correct gauge — particularly important for ensuring the washcloth comes out at the intended 7-inch square dimensions.

Techniques Used

The defining technique in this pattern is the wrapped stitch, which gives the fabric its signature textured relief. This special technique involves inserting the right needle between the 4th and 5th stitches on the left needle, drawing up a longer-than-usual stitch, knitting the next 4 stitches, and then passing one strand of the long stitch over those 4 stitches to create the wrap. This bundling action gathers a group of stitches together, producing a raised, decorative band across the fabric surface.

Beyond the wrapped stitch, the pattern also uses standard knitting techniques including:

• Casting on — the washcloth begins with 39 stitches cast on
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches — used throughout to build the fabric structure and create ribbed columns that frame the wrapped elements
• Stockinette stitch sections — rows of knit across and purl back provide smooth contrast areas between the textured wrap rows
• Garter selvedge edges — a knit stitch is maintained at each edge on every row to keep the borders tidy and prevent curling

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k)
• Purl stitch (p)
• Wrapped stitch (special technique unique to this pattern)
• Stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)
• Garter stitch selvedge (knit every row at edges)

Pattern Structure and Row-by-Row Overview

The 10-row repeat alternates between ribbed columns (k4, p2 and k2, p4 arrangements) and wrapped stitch rows that appear on Rows 3 and 9, offset from each other to create a staggered, allover textured effect. Plain stockinette rows (Row 5 knit across, Row 6 knit edge with purl across) act as visual rest rows between the textured sections. The alternating placement of the wraps in the two halves of the repeat means the finished fabric has a rhythmic, geometric quality.

Difficulty Level and Ideal Knitter

Rated as a beginner