Sunset Stripe Chenille Washcloth Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This Sunset Stripe Chenille Washcloth is a soft, squishy little square that's perfect for brand-new knitters and anyone who loves a fast, satisfying finish. It's worked entirely in linen stitch, a clever slip-stitch texture that looks like tiny woven seeds and feels gently bumpy against the skin, making it a lovely everyday scrubby for the sink, shower, or bath. The wide horizontal stripes in yellow, pink, and purple give it a warm sunset glow with a fun, nostalgic y2k feel. Because it's knit in super bulky chenille on big needles, it comes together in an evening or two, and the finished cloth is plush, absorbent, and about 8 inches square.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Super bulky (weight 6) chenille, 100% polyester, in 3 colors:
  • Color A (yellow): 30 yd (approx. 27 m)
  • Color B (pink): 30 yd (approx. 27 m)
  • Color C (purple): 30 yd (approx. 27 m)
• Needles: 8.0 mm (US 11) straight needles, or size needed to match gauge
• Notions: Tapestry needle (blunt tip works best with chenille), scissors, measuring tape
• Finished size: Approximately 8 inches (20 cm) wide by 8 inches (20 cm) tall

Abbreviations

• st(s): stitch(es)
• K: knit
• P: purl
• sl1: slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle without working it
• wyif: with yarn in front (hold the working yarn toward you, on the side facing you, before slipping the stitch)
• RS: right side (the front, public side of the cloth)
• WS: wrong side (the back side of the cloth)
• rep: repeat

Gauge

10 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in linen stitch. To check, knit a small swatch in the pattern below, lay it flat without stretching, and count stitches and rows over 4 inches; adjust your needle size if needed.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille is slippery and sheds: work with a slightly firmer tension than usual and avoid over-handling the yarn, since chenille can "worm" (fuzz pull out) if rubbed too much.
• Keep the slipped stitches loose: the slipped stitches create the texture, so don't pull them tight or the fabric will pucker and narrow.
• Count your stitches after every color change: you should always have 20 stitches on the needle; a dropped slip can be easy to miss in chenille.
• Change colors at the end of a row: simply drop the old color and pick up the new one, leaving a tail to weave in later; no need to cut unless you prefer tidy tails.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Main Cloth (one flat rectangle)

With Color A, cast on 20 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K1, *sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to last st, k1 (20 sts).

Row 2 (WS): K1, *p1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1 (20 sts).

Rows 3-8: Repeat Rows 1-2, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the first stripe in Color A (8 rows, approx. 2 inches).

Rows 9-16: Change to Color B. Repeat Rows 1-2 four times, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the pink stripe.

Rows 17-24: Change to Color C. Repeat Rows 1-2 four times, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the purple stripe.

Rows 25-32: Change to Color A. Repeat Rows 1-2 four times, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the second yellow stripe.

Rows 33-40: Change to Color B. Repeat Rows 1-2 four times, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the second pink stripe.

Rows 41-48: Change to Color C. Repeat Rows 1-2 four times, ending after a Row 2 (20 sts). This completes the second purple stripe.

Bind off: Bind off all 20 sts loosely in pattern (knit the knit stitches and slip the slipped stitches as they appear, keeping the bind-off edge relaxed).

Assembly and Finishing

This cloth is worked as a single piece, so there is no seaming. Weave in all yarn tails along the edges using the tapestry needle, working each tail in a short distance and back through a few stitches to secure it without adding bulk. Block lightly: mist the cloth with water, gently pat it into an 8 inch by 8 inch square on a towel, and let it dry flat. Avoid heavy stretching, as chenille can lose its bounce.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make it a set: knit three cloths in the same stripe order for a matching bathroom set, or reverse the color order for a different sunset look.
• Add a hanging loop: before binding off, cast off the last few stitches and work a small chain or i-cord loop, then rejoin and finish the bind-off.
• Try a different palette: swap in any three super bulky chenille colors you love, such as peach, coral, and plum, keeping each stripe to 8 rows for the same finished size.