Simple Cotton Baby Knits
Baby Wash Cloth and Burp Cloth Knitting Patterns
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”
Abbreviations:
CO: Cast On
STS: Stitches
K: Knit
K1FB – Knit One Front and Back. A simple method of increasing stitches. Knit through the front of the stitch, leaving it on the left needle, insert the right needle into the back of the stitch and Knit.
Care Instructions: Machine washable, tumble dry
Needle: Size US size 6, Tapestry Needle
Pattern note: These cotton washcloths and burp cloths are knitted diagonally. This gives an added bit of intricacy and makes them look even more elaborate than they really are.
CO: 4 STS
Row 1: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (5 STS)
Row 2: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (6 STS)
Row 3: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (7 STS)
Row 4: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of 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: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (48 STS)
Row 57: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (47 STS)
Row 58: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (46 STS)
Row 59: K2, K2Tog, K to end of 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:
CO: 4 STS
Row 1: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (5 STS)
Row 2: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (6 STS)
Row 3: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of row (7 STS)
Row 4: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of 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: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of Row (60 STS)
Row 57: K2, K2Tog, K to end of Row (59 STS)
Row 58: K1, K1 & M1, K to end of Row (60 STS)
Row 59: K2, K2Tog, K to end of 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: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (58 STS)
Row 2: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (57 STS)
Row 3: K2, K2Tog, K to end of row (56 STS)
Row 4: K2, K2Tog, K to end of 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!
