How can knitting dishcloths be challenging?

When you’re bored with knitting the same old pattern, maybe it’s time to try something more challenging …

Like Garterlac!

This is my first attempt:

Yes, it’s a work in progress. If you like the challenge of entrelac, but find the stockinette (stocking) version too flat or like both the front and back to look woven, you might like garterlac. Like garter stitch, it’s a nice thickness for dishes.  And dishcloths make a nice practical square to try out a new pattern.

It’s not hard to envision using garterlac for a scarf, an afghan, or a pillow top.

If garterlac is more challenging than you want to attempt your first time out, you might consider this dishcloth:

It’s a smaller version of the baby blanket in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop. I started with 14 stitches. It has a woven seam, which may not suit everyone for a dishcloth.  Still, it’s a good way to try out the pattern, without making an entire blanket.

Still too complex? Well, you could try the Mitered Scrubby, substituting one strand of yarn and casting on 40 stitches, or the number for the size you want.

Most knitters are familiar with the Diagonal Dishcloth Pattern, also often known as Grandma’s Dishcloth, or some variation of that name. It’s actually garter stitch worked on the bias. And very good practice for garter stitch, increases and decreases.

My version is knit on size 7 needles or size for gauge you like.

Cast on 3 stitches
Row 1: Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1
Row 2: Knit 5
Row 3: Knit 1, yarn over, knit 3, yarn over, knit 1
Row 4: Knit 7

Continue in garter stitch, to increase one stitch each odd row just after first and before last stitch. Knit all stitches in even rows.
When side edges measure desired size (35 stitches on row in the one I knitted) begin decrease rows:

SKP = Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 1 stitch, pass slip stitch over knit stitch

Odd Rows: Knit 1, SKP, Knit to last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1
Even Rows: Knit all stitches

Bind off when row has 3 stitches.  Finish off, leaving an end long enough to weave in. Weave in ends.

Tip: You can vary where the increases and decreases are placed, such as knit 3 yarn over, knit to last 3 stitches, yarn over, knit last three stitches. Similarly, the decreases would be placed after the first 3 knit stitches and before the last 3. This keeps the edges consistent.

And of course, there’s always easy garter stitch.

The cotton worsted weight yarn is Sugar ‘n Cream Bronze Blue Culinary Colors-3 oz.

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