Knitting doesn’t offer too many shortcuts. Maybe that’s exactly why we love knitting so much, but every now and then, even diehard knitters need a little instant gratification. Enter the washcloth!

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

I love to give (and use!) hand knit washcloths. They are an unexpected luxury that’s not on anyone’s list but would be if they only knew the pleasure. And I love the satisfaction of a small square that’s open to a whole world of possibilities. And finally, I love how very fast they are to knit!

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

These Log Cabin Washcloths tinker with juxtapositions of texture. Blue Sky’s organic Skinny Cotton plays the straight guy to Habu’s super-playful Natural Cover Cotton. The result is a little bit mid-century modern and a little bit now; a little bit city and a little bit country; a little bit methodical and a little bit wonky!

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

For a great summer travel project, choose your favorite color combos. Your first washcloth will be done before you return your seat back to its full, upright position!  -Whitney

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoLogCabinWashcloths. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

  • Color A: 1 skein of Blue Sky’s Skinny Cotton, 100% organic cotton. We used Organic Birch.
  • Color B: 1 skein of Blue Sky’s Skinny Cotton, 100% organic cotton. We used Coral.
  • Color C: 1 skein of Habu’s Natural Cover Cotton, 100% cotton. We used Red.
  • Please note: the original yarns used for this project are unfortunately no longer available. As an alternative, we recommend using our Cotton Pure and Lantern yarns. Slightly different in gauge than the original, we recommend swatching on a US 6 or 7 to achieve the same rustic look!)
  • US 5 (3.75 mm), straight or circular Knitting Needles

Here are two other colorways you might like…

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Organic Birch
  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Cobalt
  • 1 skein of Natural Cover Cotton in Blue

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Organic Birch
  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Gardenia
  • 1 skein of Natural Cover Cotton in Pink

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Organic Birch
  • 1 skein of Skinny Cotton in Basil
  • 1 skein of Natural Cover Cotton in Green

Gauge

6 stitches = 1 inch in garter stitch, using the Skinny Cotton

 stitches = 1 inch in garter stitch, using the Natural Cover Cotton

Size

Finished Dimensions: 8 inches x 8 inches

Note

Here is how the colors are labeled in this pattern…

Color A = Skinny Cotton, Organic Birch

Color B = Natural Cover Cotton (the color Red is pictured here)

Color C = Skinny Cotton, contrast color (the color Coral is pictured here)

Pattern

Washcloth 1

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Center Square

With Color A, cast on 18 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Knit 32 rows (or 16 ridges). (A garter stitch “ridge” is a horizontal rib that is formed by knitting two rows.)

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch. The side that was facing you when you bound off is now considered the “right side”.

Middle Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color B, pick up 16 stitches along the top edge.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Knit 13 rows (or 6 1/2 ridges).

Bind off, but instead of cutting the yarn, leave the last stitch on the needle.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

*With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 23 stitches along the top edge. (24 stitches total)

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Knit 13 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from * one more time.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 31 stitches along the top edge. (32 stitches total)

Knit 13 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Outer Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color C, pick up 34 stitches along the top edge.

Knit 9 rows (or 4 1/2 ridges).

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

**With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 37 stitches along the top edge. (38 stitches total)

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Knit 9 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from ** one more time.

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 41 stitches along the top edge. (42 stitches total)

Knit 9 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Weave in the ends and you’re done!

Washcloth 2

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Center Square

With Color B, cast on 16 stitches.

Knit 30 rows (or 15 ridges).

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch. The side that was facing you when you bound off is now considered the “right side”.

Middle Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color C, pick up 18 stitches along the top edge.

Knit 15 rows (or 7 1/2 ridges)                           .

Bind off, but instead of cutting the yarn, leave the last stitch on the needle.

*With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 25 stitches along the top edge. (26 stitches total)

Knit 15 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from * one more time.

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 33 stitches along the top edge. (34 stitches total)

Knit 15 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Outer Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color A, pick up 34 stitches along the top edge.

Knit 9 rows (or 4 1/2 ridges).

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

**With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 37 stitches along the top edge. (38 stitches total)

Knit 9 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from ** one more time.

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 41 stitches along the top edge. (42 stitches total)

Knit 9 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Weave in the ends and tada!

Washcloth 3

New Log Cabin Washcloths | Purl Soho

Center Square

With Color C, cast on 18 stitches.

Knit 32 rows (or 16 ridges).

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch. The side that was facing you when you bound off is now considered the “right side”.

Middle Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color A, pick up 18 stitches along the top edge.

Knit 15 rows (or 7 1/2 ridges).

Bind off, but instead of cutting the yarn, leave the last stitch on the needle.

*With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 25 stitches along the top edge. (26 stitches total)

Knit 15 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from * one more time.

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 33 stitches along the top edge. (34 stitches total)

Knit 15 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Outer Square

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and with Color B, pick up 31 stitches along the top edge.

Knit 7 rows (or 3 1/2 ridges).

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

**With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 34 stitches along the top edge. (35 stitches total)

Knit 7 rows.

Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Repeat from ** one more time.

With the right side facing you, turn the piece clockwise 90 degrees and pick up 38 stitches along the top edge. (39 stitches total)

Knit 7 rows.

Bind off and cut the yarn, pulling the tail through the last stitch.

Weave in the ends and you have a set!