The Sunburst Lemon Peel Dishcloth: A Textured Cotton Knit Free Pattern
Introduction: Bring Sunshine to Your Sink
Elevate your kitchen with this beautifully textured dishcloth, featuring a radiant sunburst pattern created with the lemon peel stitch. Knit in a cheerful, sunny yellow, it's both a practical tool and a delightful handmade touch. This free pattern is perfect for beginners looking to try corner-to-corner (C2C) knitting while creating something useful and beautiful. The lemon peel stitch gives a bumpy, nubby surface that resembles lemon zest, making it excellent for scrubbing dishes gently.
Materials Needed
Yarn
- Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream or any 100% worsted weight cotton yarn (approx 1 oz / 50 yds per dishcloth) in Sunflower Yellow
Needles & Notions
- Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors
Gauge
- 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Step-by-Step Instructions
This dishcloth is knit from corner to corner (C2C) using increases and decreases to form a square. The lemon peel stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific pattern.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit two together
- p2tog = purl two together
- yo = yarn over
- sl1 = slip one stitch purlwise
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Increase Section (Make the triangle)
Row 1 (RS): Cast on 2 stitches. Knit both stitches. (2 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, k1. (2 sts)
Row 3 (RS): Sl1, yo, k1. (3 sts)
Row 4 (WS): Sl1, p1, k1. (3 sts)
Row 5 (RS): Sl1, yo, k1, p1, k1. (4 sts)
Row 6 (WS): Sl1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (4 sts)
Row 7 (RS): Sl1, yo, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (5 sts)
Row 8 (WS): Sl1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (5 sts)
Continue in this pattern, increasing by 1 stitch every RS row by working a yo after the slipped stitch. The pattern for the RS rows is: Sl1, yo, then repeat (k1, p1) across, ending with k1. The WS rows are: Sl1, then repeat (p1, k1) across, ending with k1.
Work until you have 31 stitches on your needle. End after a WS row.
Center Section (Work even)
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, yo, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (32 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (32 sts)
Repeat these two rows 3 more times (total of 8 rows in the center section).
Decrease Section (Make the square)
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, k2tog, work in pattern (k1, p1) across to last 2 sts, k2tog. (30 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, work in pattern (p1, k1) across to last st, k1. (30 sts)
Repeat these two rows until you have 2 stitches left. End after a WS row.
Finishing
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, k2tog. (1 st)
Cut yarn, pull through last stitch. Weave in ends.
Block lightly if desired.
Your Sunburst Lemon Peel Dishcloth is now complete! Enjoy the beautiful texture and cheerful color in your kitchen, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift.
