Slip Stitch Pattern for Dishcloths

There are tons of slip stitch patterns out there, but this one is a great introduction. The pattern has lots of names, most common is the ball band dishcloth pattern because it used to appear on the ball band of a cotton yarn brand! To make an actual dishcloth I would add a garter stitch border at the beginning and end, and add 2 - 3 garter stitches on each side, all in color A - the text below is simply the stitch pattern.

Note: Slip all stitches purlwise.

Yf – yarn forward

Yb – yarn back

With A, cast on a multiple of 6 plus 3

Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: With B, k4, sl1, *k5, sl1. Rep from * across to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 4: K4, yf, sl1, yb, *k5, yf, sl1, yb. Rep from * across to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 5: P4, yb, sl1, yf, *p5, yb, sl1, yf. Rep from * across to last 4 sts, p4.
Row 6: Rep Row 4.
Row 7: With A, knit.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: With B, k1, sl1, *k5, sl1. Rep from * across, k1.
Row 10: K1, yf, sl1, yb, *k5, yf, sl1, yb. Rep from * across, k1.
Row 11: P1, yb, sl1, yf, *p5, yb, sl1, yf. Rep from * across, p1.
Row 12: Rep Row 10.

Rep Rows 1 - 12 for pattern. I like to bind off purlwise on a Row 2 or Row 8 for the sake of symmetry.

This is a basic pattern - no chart needed! - but if you need some tips on reading charts for Slipped Stitch Knitting, we have you covered!