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Moss Stitch Washcloths Free Pattern for Beginner Knitters

Moss Stitch Washcloths Free Pattern for Beginner Knitters

Inside: Moss Stitch Washcloths 4-in-1 pattern with video tutorial to show you all the skills you need.

When you want texture it’s time break out the moss stitch.

The 4-in-1 Moss Stitch Washcloths pattern has all the texture, all the variety and all the skills you need to make this easy knitting project.  Make the Moss Border Washcloth or the All-over Moss Washcloth in either bulky or medium weight yarn.

This easy pattern comes as Lesson 6: Moss Stitch of my How to Knit for Complete Beginners series. If you’re a new knitter or just need a quick refresher go back and check out the previous lessons. They are loaded with tips, tricks and more free patterns!

These washcloths make a fast and easy gift to include in a spa basket, for last-minute teacher gifts or because you just want to pamper yourself.

moss stitch washcloths

Moss Stitch Washcloths

By Kristen Mangus

A downloadable PDF of this pattern is available in my Etsy store and from Ravelry at the links below:

MATERIALS

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Yarn
Option 1: #6 super bulky weight yarn
Bernat Softee Chunky (108 yds./ 3.5 oz. (99 m/ 100 g))
Color White (28005) & Limelight used in sample.

Option 2: #4 medium weight yarn
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (186 yds./3.5 oz. (170 m / 100g)) 
Color Mint (172) used in sample.

Needles 
Option 1: US 15 (10 mm) straight or circular needles.
Clover Takumi Bamboo straight needles used in sample.

Option 2: US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles.
Knitter’s Pride Karbonz circular needle used in sample.

Tapestry needle
3 Stitch markers – 2 to place on needles, 1 locking marker to mark right side of knitting (optional)

ABBREVIATIONS
K = Knit
PM = Place Marker
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
SM = Slip Marker
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

SKILL LEVEL Easy

NOTES

Cast On:  I recommend the long tail cast on for this project.  However, you may use another cast on, if you prefer.  I show the long tail cast on in the tutorial video.

Yarn:  I know typically washcloths are made using cotton yarn. I included a medium weight cotton for Option 2.  I also opted to include a super bulky acrylic version of the pattern for Option 1.  Acrylic has much more stretch to it than cotton and is often easier to work with than cotton for a beginner knitter.

Needles: In Option 1, I used a US 15 needle to create a larger stitch and softer face cloth.  If you desire a more dense kitchen cloth use either US 11 (8 mm) or US 13 (9 mm). Each decrease in needle size makes the washcloth about ½-1” (1-2 cm) smaller.

Sizing: This pattern can be sized up or down.   You need to cast on a multiple of 4 stitches. For the Moss Border version remember to add additional border rows and stitches for larger projects.  

Moss Border Washcloth

moss stitch washcloths with moss border
Moss Border Washclorths

GAUGE
Option 1: 9 sts x 13 rows in 4” in stockinette stitch
Option 2: 20 sts x 28 rows in 4” in stockinette stitch

SKILL LEVEL Easy

MEASUREMENTS 
Option 1: Approx. 7” x 7” (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm)
Option 2: Approx. 6.75” x 6.75” (17 cm x 17 cm)

INSTRUCTIONS

Option 1: Super Bulky Washcloth

moss border washcloth in super bulky
Moss Border Washcloth in super bulky (#6) weight yarn

Cast on 16 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Row 5 (RS): *K1, P1 (twice).  PM, knit until 4 stitches remain, PM. *K1, P1 (twice).
Row 6: *K1, P1 (twice). SM, purl to marker, SM. *K1, P1 (twice).
Row 7: *P1, K1 (twice). SM, knit to marker, SM. *P1, K1 (twice).
Row 8: *P1, K1 (twice). SM, purl to marker, SM. *P1, K1 (twice).

Repeat Rows 5-8 until knitting measures 5”. End after a WS row (Row 8). [Place Marker only on first time working a Row 5]. 

Row 9 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row
Row 10: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 11: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row. 

Bind off all stitches on WS in pattern as if working a Row 4. Weave in tails.

Option 2: Medium Weight Washcloth

moss border washcloth in medium weight
Moss Border Washcloth in medium (#4) weight yarn

Cast on 32 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-4 one more time. 

Row 5 (RS): *K1, P1 (twice). Rep from * one more time.  PM, knit until 8 stitches remain, PM. *K1, P1 (twice). Rep from * once more.
Row 6: *K1, P1 (twice). Rep from * to marker. SM, purl to marker, SM. *K1, P1 (twice). Rep from * to end.
Row 7: *P1, K1 (twice). Rep from * to marker. SM, knit to marker, SM. *P1, K1 (twice). Rep from * to end.
Row 8: *P1, K1 (twice). Rep from * to marker. SM, purl to marker, SM. *P1, K1 (twice). Rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 5-8 until knitting measures 5.5”. End after a WS row (Row 8). [Place Marker only on first time working a Row 5]. 

Row 9 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 10: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 11: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row. 
Row 12: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row. 

Repeat Rows 9-11 only one more time.

Bind off all stitches on WS in pattern as if working a Row 4. Weave in tails.

All-Over Moss Washcloth

moss stitch washcloths all over moss
All-over Moss Washcloth

GAUGE
Option 1: 9 sts x 13 rows in 4” in seed stitch
Option 2: 18 sts x 31 rows in 4” in seed stitch

SKILL LEVEL Easy

MEASUREMENTS 
Option 1: Approx. 7” x 7” (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm)
Option 2: Approx. 7” x 7” (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm)

INSTRUCTIONS

Option 1: Super Bulky Washcloth

All-over Moss Washcloth in super bulky (#6) weight yarn

Cast on 16 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until 3 rows before desired length (approximately 5.5”). 

Repeat Rows 1-3 only one more time.

Bind off all stitches on WS in pattern as if working a Row 4. Weave in tails.

Option 2: Medium Weight Washcloth

medium weight moss stitch washcloth all-over moss
All-over Moss Washcloth in medium weight (#4) weight yarn

Cast on 32 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until 3 rows before desired length (approximately 6.5”). 

Repeat Rows 1-3 only one more time.

Bind off all stitches on WS in pattern as if working a Row 4. Weave in tails.


PIN IT!

moss stitch washcloth pin image

Moss Stitch Washcloths Tutorial Videos

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You can knit the Moss Stitch Washcloths as part of Lesson 6 in my How to Knit for Complete Beginners video series. All the skills you need are included in this series.

Right handed



Left handed


You may also like these other knit washcloth patterns:

Seed Stitch Washcloths

Tumbling Blocks Washcloth

Dewdrop Washcloth

Be sure to follow all the How to Knit for Complete Beginners Lessons.

  1. How to Knit – Garter Stitch for Complete Beginners includes Basic Garter Scarf pattern
  2. How to Knit – Purl stitch for Stockinette
  3. How to Knit – Stockinette with Garter Border includes Basic Bordered Dishcloth pattern
  4. How to Knit – Ribbing 1×1 and 2×2 includes Easy Ribbed Headband pattern
  5. How to Knit – Seed Stitch for Beginners includes Seed Stitch Washcloth pattern
  6. How to Knit – Moss Stitch for Beginners includes Moss Stitch Washcloth pattern
  7. How to Knit – Basketweave Stitch for Beginners includes Basketweave Cowl pattern
  8. How to Knit – Knitting in the Round includes Moss Cowl pattern.
  9. How to Knit – 5 Cast Ons for Beginners
  10. How to Knit – 4 Increases includes Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth pattern
  11. How to Knit – 5 Decreases includes Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth pattern
  12. How to Knit – Slip Stitches