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Easy Seed Stitch Washcloth: Free 4-in-1 Pattern for Beginners

Easy Seed Stitch Washcloth: Free 4-in-1 Pattern for Beginners

Inside: Easy Seed Stitch Washcloth with 4 variations with tutorial video.

Knit the Seed Stitch Washcloth with just knits and purls.  This 4-in-1 pattern features two designs in two different yarn weights.  The Seed Border Washcloth shows a seed stitch border around a stockinette stitch center.  The All-Over Seed Washcloth provides more texture by using all seed stitch.  Both projects are fast and easy to make for a quick gift.

The patterns include written instructions and a video link to GoodKnit Kisses’ YouTube channel to show you all the skills you need to make this project.

easy seed stitch washcloth

Easy Seed Stitch Washcloth
(4 variations)

By Kristen Mangus

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

MATERIALS

Links below are affiliate links to products I used to create this pattern/video. Clicking the links costs you nothing, but helps support GoodKnit Kisses.

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
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
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.   For the Seed Border pattern use an even number of stitches and remember to add additional border rows and stitches for larger projects.  For the All-over Seed version use an odd number of stitches.

Odd vs. Even Stitch Counts: When knitting in seed stitch the row instructions are different when you have an odd number of stitches vs. an even number.  The All-over Seed Washcloth uses an odd number and you’ll notice there is only one row that is repeated for the entire pattern.  The Seed Border Washcloth uses an even number and requires a different set of instructions for the right side (RS) and wrong side (WS).

Bind off in pattern: This means that as you bind off you keep the stitch pattern going. For seed stitch you knit the first stitch, purl the second, then lift the first stitch over the second and off your needle. You continue binding off alternating knit and purl stitches.

Seed Border Washcloth

easy seed stitch washcloth with seed border shown in bulky yarn and medium weight yarn
Option 1 with bulky yarn (left) and Option 2 with medium weight yarn (right)

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

Cast on 16 stitches.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 one more time. 

Row 3 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * one more time.  Place marker, knit until 4 stitches remain, place marker. *K1, P1. Rep from * once more.

Row 4 (WS): *P1, K1. Rep from * to marker. Slip marker, purl to marker, slip marker. *P1, K1. Rep from * to end.
Row 5: (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to marker.  Slip marker, knit to marker, slip marker. *K1, P1. Rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 4-5 until knitting measures 5.5”. End after a WS row (Row 4).

Row 6 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 7 (WS): *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 6-7 one more time.

Bind off all stitches on RS in pattern. Weave in tails.

Option 2: Medium Weight Washcloth

Cast on 32 stitches.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 three more times.

Row 3 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * two more times.  Place marker, knit until 6 stitches remain, place marker. *K1, P1. Rep from * to end.

Row 4 (WS): *P1, K1. Rep from * to marker. Slip marker, purl to marker, slip marker. *P1, K1. Rep from * to end.
Row 5: (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to marker.  Slip marker, knit to marker, slip marker. *K1, P1. Rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 4-5 until knitting measures 5.5”. End after a WS row (Row 4).

Row 6 (RS): *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of row.
Row 7 (WS): *P1, K1. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 6-7 three more times.

Bind off all stitches on RS in pattern. Weave in tails.

All-Over Seed Washcloth

easy seed stitch washcloth all-over seed in bulky and medium weight yarn
Option 1 with bulky yarn (left) and Option 2 with medium weight yarn (right)

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

Cast on 15 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1,p1. Rep from * to last st. K1.

Repeat Row 1 until knitting measures 7”.  Bind off in pattern.

Option 2: Medium Weight Washcloth

Cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1,p1. Rep from * to last st. K1.

Repeat Row 1 until knitting measures 7”.  Bind off in pattern.


PIN IT!

easy seed stitch washcloth pin image

Easy Seed Stitch Washcloth Video Tutorial

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Right handed



Left handed


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