Simple Cotton Baby Knits

Baby Wash Cloths

Cotton washcloths and burp cloths are perfect for babies.  Let’s face it, babies can be messy.  From a bit of spit up after a bottle to learning to feed themselves, a soft yet effective cotton cloth on hand is a must.  Knitting these makes a thoughtful gift that moms and moms to be will love – and they’re quick and easy to whip up, meaning that you still have a few days to get working before Christmas.  Note, these are free patterns that can be found in many places across the internet, so it’s hard to find the original source to give appropriate credit.  If you do know who is the originator – I’d love to know, so that I can thank them for many great gifts over the years!

These patterns are great for beginners looking to add a few stitches to their skillset – as they use the knit, knit one front and back, and knit two together.

Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn – I’ve chosen the soft pink from the Sweets & Delights collection but you can feel free to use any cotton yarn in the color of your choosing.  The skein that I’ve chosen is available in local yarn and craft stores, and comes in a larger skein which I’ve gotten about four washcloths and three burp cloths out of – so one skein goes along way!

Gauge: 18 STS X 24 rows = 4”X4”

Care Instructions: Machine washable, tumble dry

Needle: Size US size 6, Tapestry Needle

Pattern note: These cotton washcloths and burp cloths are knitted diagonally or on the bias.  This gives an added bit of intricacy and makes them look even more elaborate than they really are.

Cast On:  4 stitches

Row 1: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row. (5 STS)

Row 2: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row. (6 STS)

Row 3: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row. (7 STS)

Row 4: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row. (8 STS)

Continue the pattern until you have 49 stitches on your needle.  This is the halfway point and now you’ll begin decreasing instead of increasing stitches. (45 rows in total)

Begin Decrease

Row 46: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (48 STS)

Row 57: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (47 STS)

Row 58: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (46 STS)

Row 59: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (45 STS)

Continue working this pattern until there are 4 stitches remaining on your needle.  Bind off & Use Tapestry needle to weave in the tails of yarn.  Using cotton yarn and this garter stitch doesn’t necessarily require you to block the work but you can if you want to (it’s great for practicing!).

Presentation Tip: I like to fold the washcloths in half and roll them up, then I place three of them in a triangle (placing two on bottom and one on top).  Then I wrap a matching ribbon around them and tie a bow.  

Cotton Baby Burp Cloths

These are knit similarly to the washcloths but are a bit bigger and have one additional step or skill.

Using the same yarn and needles:

Cast On:  4 stitches

Row 1: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (5 STS)

Row 2: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (6 STS)

Row 3: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (7 STS)

Row 4: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (8 STS)

Continue working this pattern until you have 59 stitches on your needles.  This will end up being 55 rows in total.

Row 56: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (60 STS)

Row 57: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row (59 STS)

Row 58: Knit one, Knit front and back, Knit to the end of the row (60 STS)

Row 59: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the Row (59 STS)

Continue working this pattern, you will see the edges or sides of the burp cloth start to form, until the shorter side of the work is about two inches long.  This may vary depending upon the individual knitter’s tension and preference so I’ll begin the decrease section at row 1.

Begin Decrease

Row 1: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (58 STS)

Row 2: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (57 STS)

Row 3: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (56 STS)

Row 4: Knit two, Knit 2 Together, Knit to the end of the row. (55 STS)

Continue working this pattern until there are 4 stitches remaining on your needle.  Bind off & Use Tapestry needle to weave in the tails of yarn.

Questions or edits? Please contact me!