There are many types of washcloths. The product can be knitted with knitting needles independently, which can be helped by step-by-step master classes on knitting washcloths for beginners.
Tools and materials
Both natural and synthetic threads can be used for knitting washcloths. Since natural materials are less wear-resistant and are also susceptible to the emergence of a pathogenic environment in their fabric, it is recommended to use synthetic fiber as yarn for washcloths.
The types of yarn recommended for knitting washcloths are listed in the following table:
| Yarn type | Properties | Recommended type of washcloth |
| Polypropylene | High strength, high temperature resistance, waterproof and elastic. The thread fiber is resistant to abrasion and dirt. | Flat washcloth, washcloth-mitten, massage washcloth (for medium-sensitive skin). |
| Capron and nylon | Soft to the touch fiber, very elastic. Almost does not absorb moisture. | Ball-shaped washcloth, thin towel-shaped washcloth (for face and sensitive skin). |
| Acrylic and linen | Lightweight fiber, resistant to pathogenic environment. | Hypoallergenic washcloth of any shape (safe for children). |
| Jute | A combined fiber made from natural and synthetic fibers. It is characterized by rigidity and resistance to deformation. | Massage sponges (can be used for skin scrubbing). |
A washcloth can be knitted from a combination of yarn. The thicker the yarn from which you plan to knit a washcloth, the harder it will be on the skin during use. When selecting knitting needles, you should take into account the thickness of the yarn used for knitting.
In step-by-step master classes for beginners, it is recommended to follow the following simple rule: the thickness of the knitting needles should be 1 mm thicker than the yarn. For knitting washcloths with knitting needles, yarn with a thickness of 4 to 7 mm is usually used.
Accordingly, the size of the knitting needles for knitting with a thread of this width will vary in the range from No. 5 to No. 8. An important factor when choosing knitting needles is also the type of material from which they are made.
The most commonly used types of knitting needles are:
- metal knitting needles (usually used for knitting linen and acrylic items, since the metal surface of such knitting needles glides well over the material even with increased friction properties);
- wooden knitting needles (have the necessary resistance when in contact with smooth materials and are usually used for knitting items made of nylon, capron or silk);
- plastic knitting needles (can be used with any type of yarn).
When knitting washcloths with knitting needles, a crochet hook is sometimes additionally used to attach the handles to the product.
How to knit a washcloth with knitting needles for beginners
A washcloth with knitting needles for beginners, which is easy to knit step by step with the help of simple master classes, can look no worse than a store-bought one. A simple washcloth is usually knitted with garter stitch, which forms a fairly thick fabric that has the property of stretching and tightening like an elastic band.
To knit such a washcloth, you can use 5 mm thick acrylic wool and #6 metal knitting needles. To attach the handles to the main part of the washcloth, use a hook of the same size.
The process of knitting a simple washcloth consists of the following steps:
- Place the thread on the 1st and 2nd fingers of your left hand, and hold its ends in your palm with the remaining fingers.
- Take the knitting needle with your right hand, place it under the thread and press the fiber to the knitting needle with the 2nd finger of your right hand.
- Grab the fiber on the 1st finger of the left hand with the knitting needle, then hook the thread from the index finger, then insert the knitting needle between the threads under the 1st finger of the left hand and bring it up with a clockwise circular motion. Then throw off the fiber from the 1st finger and tighten the loop on the knitting needle. As a result, a basic loop is formed on the knitting needle.
- Repeat step 3 24 times. As a result, 25 basic loops will form on the needle.
- Take the 1st knitting needle (with loops) in your left hand and position it so that the base of the base loops with the working thread is directed downwards. Then put the main fiber on your index finger and clamp its free end between your index and ring fingers.
- Take the 2nd knitting needle in your right hand and insert it into the top loop on the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle.
- Repeat step 6 24 times. The result will be 1 row consisting of 25 front loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Repeat steps 6 through 7 until the length of the fabric reaches 30 cm.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the 2 loops on the 1st needle, catch the main fiber and bring it out through these loops from the bottom up. Then you need to remove these 2 loops from the 1st needle, after which the loop located on the 2nd needle is put back on the 1st needle.
- Repeat step 9 until there are 5 loops left on the 1st knitting needle. From this point on, knitting the handle of the washcloth begins.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st needle.
- Repeat step 11 4 times. The result will be 1 row consisting of 5 front loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Repeat steps 11 through 12 until the handle length reaches 10 cm.
- Place the edge of the knitted handle on the right edge of the washcloth.
- Remove the 1st loop of the handle from the knitting needle, insert the hook into the corresponding loop of the edge of the washcloth, and then into the removed loop on the handle, then grab the fiber and pull it up through these loops.
- Perform step 15 for each loop of the sponge handle. As a result, the handle will be connected to the edge of the product.
- Turn the washcloth over and insert the knitting needle into 5 loops from the upper left edge.
- Knit the second handle of the washcloth in the same way as the first, for which you need to repeat steps 11 through 16.
With loops extended
A washcloth with knitting needles for beginners, which is easy to knit step by step, can be very comfortable and voluminous. A washcloth with elongated loops can be knitted from polypropylene threads. Due to the high strength of this material, the product will retain its original appearance for a long time and will last a long time.
This sponge is easy to wash, dries quickly, and the waterproof properties of polypropylene protect the sponge from the development of pathogenic microorganisms in its fibers.
To knit a washcloth with elongated loops, you need to do the following steps:
- Cast on 30 stitches onto the knitting needle.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle and slip it as an edge loop.
- Place the main fiber behind the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle into the front wall of the upper loop on the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle (front loop).
- Place the main fiber in front of the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle behind the front wall of the upper loop from right to left, pick up the main strand and remove the loop from the 1st knitting needle (purl loop).
- Repeat steps 3 through 6 as many times as necessary to complete the row. The result will be the 1st row, consisting of 28 front loops and 2 edge loops along the edges. Then you need to turn the work over.
- The fabric is knitted with a 1x1 elastic pattern, so the order of alternating front and back loops changes in each subsequent row.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle and slip it as an edge loop.
- Place the main fiber in front of the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle behind the front wall of the upper loop from right to left, pick up the main strand and remove the loop from the 1st knitting needle.
- Place the main fiber behind the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle into the front wall of the top loop on the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle.
- Repeat steps 8 to 11 as many times as necessary to complete the row. The result will be a 2nd row consisting of 28 loops and 2 edge loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- From this point on, elongated loops will be added every other row.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle and slip it as an edge loop.
- Place the main fiber behind the 1st needle.
- Wrap the main strand around the index finger of your left hand twice.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the back of the top loop of the 1st needle, catch 2 threads from the index finger and pull their bottom part through the loop, and then remove this loop from the 1st needle (you will get an elongated loop).
- Place the main fiber in front of the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the front of the top loop of the 1st needle, pick up the main strand, pull it up through the loop, and then remove the loop from the 1st needle.
- Repeat steps 17 to 21 until the end of the row. The result will be a 3rd row consisting of elongated loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle and slip it as an edge loop.
- Place the main fiber in front of the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle behind the front wall of the upper loop of the 1st knitting needle from right to left, pick up the main strand and remove the loop from the 1st knitting needle (purl loop).
- Place the main fiber behind the 1st needle.
- Insert the 2nd knitting needle into the front wall of the top loop of the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle (front loop).
- Repeat steps 24 to 27 as many times as necessary to complete the row. The result will be the 4th row, consisting of front and back loops and 2 edge loops along the edges. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Continue alternating knitting rows with regular loops and rows with elongated loops. To do this, repeat steps 16 through 28 until the length of the washcloth is 35 cm.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the 2 loops of the 1st needle, catch the main fiber and bring it out through these loops from the bottom up. Then you need to remove these 2 loops from the 1st needle, after which the loop located on the 2nd needle is put back on the 1st needle.
- Repeat step 30 until there are no loops left on the 1st needle. When knitting the last loop, secure it with a knot.
- Knit the handle of the washcloth by casting on 3 loops onto the knitting needle.
- Insert the 2nd needle into the top loop on the 1st needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st needle.
- Repeat step 33 2 times. The result will be 1 row consisting of 3 front loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Repeat steps 33 to 34 until the handle length reaches 10 cm.
- Place the edge of the knitted handle on the right edge of the washcloth.
- Insert the hook into the corresponding loop on the edge of the sponge, then into the corresponding loop on the handle, then grab the fiber and pull it up through these loops.
- Perform step 37 for each loop of the sponge handle. As a result, the handle will be connected to the edge of the product.
- Similarly, connect the second edge of the handle to the other edge of the washcloth.
- Knit another handle for the washcloth.
- Attach the second handle to the opposite edge of the washcloth in a similar manner.
Washcloth pocket
A washcloth with knitting needles for beginners, which can be knitted step by step in just a few hours, can have almost any shape. The design of the washcloth-pocket allows you to put it on your hand, which will prevent the product from slipping out of your hand during washing.
You can also put a sponge in this washcloth, which will give it more flexibility and softness. To knit the product, you will need jute yarn with a fiber thickness of 5 mm and knitting needles No. 6.
The order of execution of the work is as follows:
- Cast on 25 stitches on 2 needles, then pull out 1 needle from the bottom.
- Insert the right needle into the top loop on the left needle and slip it as an edge stitch.
- Place the main fiber behind the left needle.
- Insert the right needle into the front wall of the top loop on the left needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the left needle (front loop).
- Slip the top loop from the left needle to the right.
- Repeat steps 4 through 5 as many times as necessary to complete the entire row.
- Turn the work over.
- Slip the top loop from the left needle to the right.
- Insert the right needle into the front wall of the top loop on the left needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the left needle (front loop).
- Repeat steps 8 through 9 as many times as necessary to complete the entire row.
- Turn the work over.
- Repeat steps 4 through 11 until the length of the washcloth reaches 30 cm.
- Insert the hook into the edge top loop of the washcloth on the right and remove it from the knitting needle.
- Insert the hook into the next loop, catch the main strand and pull it through the 2 loops on the hook.
- Slip the next stitch from the needle to the other needle.
- Repeat steps 14 through 15 as many times as necessary to close all the loops on one side of the washcloth to the end of the row.
- After closing the loops of the right edge of the washcloth, the unclosed loops of the left edge of the washcloth will be on the knitting needle.
- Close the loops of the left edge of the washcloth, for which repeat steps 14 through 15 the required number of times.
- Knit the handle of the washcloth by casting on 3 loops onto the knitting needle.
- Insert the right needle into the top loop on the left needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the left needle.
- Repeat step 20 2 times. As a result, you will get 1 row consisting of 3 front loops. Then you need to turn the work over.
- Repeat steps 20 to 21 until the handle length reaches 10 cm.
- Fold the 2 ends of the handle together and place them on the left edge of the washcloth.
- Insert the hook into the corresponding loop on the edge of the sponge, then into the corresponding loops on the handle, then grab the fiber and pull it up through these loops.
- Perform step 24 for each loop of the sponge handle. As a result, the handle will be connected to the edge of the product.
Round sponge
A washcloth with knitting needles for beginners, which can be knitted step by step from almost any yarn, can be very convenient and flexible. To knit a round washcloth, you will need 3 stocking needles.
Polypropylene or acrylic threads can be used as a material. In order for the washcloth to be voluminous, elongated loops are added to the work through each row.
The process of knitting such a washcloth looks like this:
- Cast on 3 stitches on each of the 2 needles.
- Insert the 3rd knitting needle into the front wall of the upper loop on the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle (you will get a front loop).
- Repeat step 2 for the remaining loops of the 1st knitting needle.
- Insert the 3rd knitting needle into the front wall of the upper loop on the 2nd knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 2nd knitting needle (you will get a front loop).
- Repeat step 4 for the remaining loops of the 2nd knitting needle.
- Yarn over onto the 3rd needle.
- Insert the 3rd knitting needle into the front wall of the top loop on the 1st knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 1st knitting needle.
- Repeat steps 6 through 7 for the remaining stitches on the 1st needle.
- Yarn over onto the 3rd needle.
- Insert the 3rd knitting needle into the front wall of the upper loop on the 2nd knitting needle, catch the main fiber and bring it back out of the loop from below. Then you need to remove the knitted loop from the 2nd knitting needle.
- Repeat steps 9 through 10 for the remaining stitches on the 2nd knitting needle.
- Repeat steps 2 through 5 for all stitches on the 1st and 2nd needles.
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- Repeat steps 6 through 11 for all stitches on the 1st and 2nd needles.
- Wrap the working thread around the index finger of your left hand twice.
- Insert the 3rd knitting needle behind the back wall of the upper loop on the 1st knitting needle from right to left, hook 2 threads from the index finger and pull their lower part through the loop, and then remove this loop from the left knitting needle (you will get an elongated loop).
- Repeat step 15 for all loops on the 1st and 2nd needles.
- Repeat steps 6 through 11 for all stitches on the 1st and 2nd needles.
- Repeat steps 2 through 5 for all stitches on the 1st and 2nd needles.
- Knit the washcloth in a circle to the required diameter, alternating rows with front loops and rows with extended loops, while adding yarn overs between the loops on each knitting needle every other row.
- Insert the 3rd needle into the 2 loops on the 1st needle, catch the main fiber and bring it out through these loops from the bottom up. Then you need to remove these 2 loops from the 1st needle, after which the loop located on the 3rd needle is put back on the 1st needle.
- Repeat step 20 until all loops on the 1st knitting needle have been closed.
- Insert the 3rd needle into the 2 loops on the 2nd needle, catch the main fiber and bring it out through these loops from the bottom up. Then you need to remove these 2 loops from the 2nd needle, after which the loop located on the 3rd needle is put back on the 2nd needle.
- Repeat step 22 until all loops on the 2nd knitting needle have been closed.
A washcloth made with your own hands can be a great gift for friends and family. Using step-by-step knitting master classes for beginners, you can knit a product taking into account your tastes and preferences.
Video about knitting
How to knit a washcloth with knitting needles: