The Herbs & Honeycomb Dishcloth: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Two-Tone Kitchen Essential

A Touch of Farmhouse Charm: Knitting the Herbs & Honeycomb Dishcloth

Elevate your kitchen with this beautifully textured dishcloth, featuring a modern honeycomb stitch and a contrasting border. Knit in soft, absorbent cotton, it's as practical as it is pretty. This free pattern is perfect for beginners looking to try a simple slip-stitch texture, and it makes a wonderful handmade gift. The two-tone design adds a rustic, farmhouse-chic feel to any kitchen.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the exact materials will ensure your dishcloth matches the gauge and finished size.

• Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream (or any worsted weight 100% cotton yarn): 1 ball each of two contrasting colors (e.g., Sage Green and Cream). Approx 60 yards total.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Honeycomb Stitch (blocked). Tip: Always check your gauge to ensure your dishcloth comes out the correct size.
• Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to create your Herbs & Honeycomb Dishcloth. The finished size is approximately 8 inches square.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together
• YO: Yarn over
• Sl1: Slip 1 stitch purlwise
• Rep: Repeat
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• BO: Bind off
• wyib: With yarn in back
• wyif: With yarn in front

Getting Started: The Border

With Color A (Sage Green):

• CO 40 sts.
• Rows 1-6 (Garter Stitch Border): Knit across all 6 rows. This creates a clean, sturdy edge.

Creating the Honeycomb Body

Now you will work the textured honeycomb pattern. Remember to change colors as indicated. The slipped stitches create the honeycomb effect.

• Row 7 (RS - Right Side): With Color A, K1, *Sl1 wyib, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
• Row 8 (WS - Wrong Side): K1, *Sl1 wyif, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
• Row 9: With Color B (Cream), K1, *K1, Sl1 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
• Row 10: K1, *K1, Sl1 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
• Row 11: With Color A, rep Row 7.
• Row 12: With Color A, rep Row 8.
• Row 13: With Color B, rep Row 9.
• Row 14: With Color B, rep Row 10.

Repeat Rows 7-14 until the piece measures approximately 7.5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a Row 14 (WS). This will give you a balanced pattern.

Finishing the Dishcloth

• Border (Garter Stitch): With Color A, knit 6 rows.
• Bind Off: BO all stitches loosely. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle.

Optional Hanging Loop

Add a charming loop for easy hanging.

• With Color A, CO 10 sts.
• Knit 1 row.
• BO.
• Sew the loop to one corner of the dishcloth.

Block your dishcloth gently to open up the honeycomb texture. Enjoy your beautiful, handmade kitchen essential!