1918 washcloth

HomeBeginnerDKPublic domain · 1918

A garter stitch cotton square with a small loop for hanging. The perfect very first project.

In 1918 the Red Cross asked for them for hospitals. Today it is the best way to learn to cast on, knit and bind off, and end up with something useful.

Not yet checked by a knitter: if you find a mistake, please report it. contact@nico7an.fr

Good to know

Cotton does not relax like wool: do not knit too tightly.

Source

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet, Needlecraft Publishing Company (anonyme), 1918. Project Gutenberg.

What we modernised

The original casts on 70 sts on "Red Cross No. 1" needles; we recalculated it for common cotton and needles. The tape loop is replaced by a knitted loop.

The pattern

Square

Cast on 50 sts.
Knit every row until the piece is square (about 25 cm). To check, fold a corner into a triangle: the top edge should line up exactly with the side.
Bind off loosely, without cutting the yarn on the last stitch.

Loop and finishing

Slip the last stitch onto a double-pointed needle and pick up 2 sts in the corner: you have 3 sts.
I-cord: *without turning, slide the 3 sts to the other end of the needle, pull the yarn behind and knit the 3 sts; repeat for 8 cm.
Cut the yarn, thread it through the 3 sts and sew the end of the cord into the corner to make a loop.
Weave in the ends.