Colorful Half + Half Washcloths
For anyone looking for a bright spot in the everyday, here’s one you can hold in your hand. Our Colorful Half + Half Washcloths dip into our 10 new colors of Cotton Pure. They are a shower of cheer, a warm bath, and a cool refresh!
These small squares with a big presence are based on our Half + Half Blanket, a clever short-row pattern that has you knit one triangular half of a square and then the other without any picking up or seaming!
For this version, we boosted the colorplay, adding some simple stripes to the design options. Each washcloth is such a quick knit that it’s within reach to whip up a full set, in color combos either subtle or striking. We love the pop of our new Jonquil Yellow, but also the sweet tones of newbies Moonflower Blue and Peach Peony… Play a little!
Cotton Pure makes a naturally beautiful washcloth, too: organically-grown and super absorbent with its non-mercerized fiber, it also has an extremely soft touch. A most welcome gift or a self-care little treat, Colorful Half + Half Washcloths manifest a bright spot in the day!
Designed for Purl Soho by Jake Canton.
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoColorfulHalf+HalfWashCloths, and #PurlSohoCottonPure. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 8 skeins of Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure, 100% organically grown cotton. Each skein is 279 yards/ 100 grams.
- Color A: 4 skeins in Heirloom White; approximately 1,006 yards required for all 8 washcloths.
- Color B: 1 skein in Jonquil Yellow; approximately 210 yards required for all 8 washcloths.
- Color C: 1 skein in Peach Peony; approximately 150 yards required for all 8 washcloths.
- Color D: 1 skein in Tomato Orange; approximately 180 yards required for all 8 washcloths.
- Color E: 1 skein in Moonflower Blue; approximately 230 yards required for all 8 washcloths.
NOTE Each washcloth requires a total of 222 yards.
You’ll also need…
- US 3 (3.25 mm) straight or 16-inch circular needles
- If using straight needles: Two US 3 double pointed needles for I-Cord
- A stitch marker
Gauge
24 stitches and 50 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 12 inches wide x 11½ inches long
Notes
Short Row Shaping: Wrp-t (Wrap And Turn)
Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Turn work so wrong side is facing you.
To see this technique in action, visit our Short Row Tutorial and follow along with the wrap and turn on the knit side section (at 0:30 seconds), except do not bring the yarn to the back before you turn.
Knit With Wrap
Keeping yarn in back, pick up wrap with right needle from front to back and place on left needle. Knit stitch and wrap together. This step is described at minute 3:29 of our Short Row Tutorial.
Construction
Due to their construction, the dimensions of these washcloths are fixed to a set ratio. The width (i.e. the cast-on edge) can be altered by casting on any number of stitches, and the length will always be approximately 95% of the width.
Schematic
This is a basic schematic for the construction of the Half + Half Pattern.
Pattern
Half + Half Pattern
NOTE This is the foundation pattern for all the washcloths. Later we’ll detail how to add stripes and colorblocks, but this simple Half + Half Pattern makes a great washcloth, too!
Triangle 1
With Color B, cast on 72 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 2 (right side): Knit to last 3 stitches, place marker (pm), k1, wrap and turn (wrp-t, see Notes).
Row 3: Knit to end of row.
Row 4: Knit to marker, remove marker, wrp-t.
Row 5: K1, pm, knit to end of row.
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until you have wrapped every stitch except the last two, ending with Row 5.
Next Row (right side): K1, remove marker, wrp-t.
Next Row (wrong side): K1.
Cut Color B.
Triangle 2
Row 1 (right side): With Color A, k1, *knit next stitch with its wrap (see Notes), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 3: Knit to end of row.
Row 4: K1, wrp-t.
Row 5: K1.
Row 6: K1, knit next stitch with its wrap, place marker, wrp-t.
Row 7: Slip marker, knit to end of row.
Row 8: Knit to marker, remove marker, knit next stitch with its wrap, place marker, wrp-t.
Repeat Rows 7 and 8 until you have completed a wrap and turn on the second to last stitch, ending with Row 7.
Next Row (wrong side): Knit to marker, remove marker, knit next stitch with its wrap, k1.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise to last 2 stitches, k2, leaving 3 stitches on right needle.
Make I-Cord
With remaining 3 stitches, work an I-Cord for 3 inches, working last row as follows:
Last Row: K1, k2tog, pass first stitch over second stitch and off right needle. Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail and pull through remaining stitch.
Thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Make a loop with I-cord and weave tail into fabric of washcloth at base of I-cord, then weave it through the looped I-cord, and back into fabric of the washcloth.
Weave in the ends and wet block!
Layout Options
Here are 5 more ways to play with color. All of these layouts use the above Half + Half Pattern as the foundation, and here’s how we did each one….
Layout 1
NOTE We knit this layout in two different color schemes: one using Colors E and A and one using Colors D and A. The second version is in parentheses…
Follow the Half + Half Pattern as written, casting on with Color E (D) and using it for 6½ inches of Triangle 1, ending with a wrong-side row. Use Color A for the remainder of Triangle 1, then use Color A for Triangle 2.
Layout 2
Follow the Half + Half Pattern as written, casting on with Color A and using it for 5 inches of Triangle 1, ending with a wrong-side row. Use Color C for the remainder of Triangle 1, then use Color A for Triangle 2.
Layout 3
NOTE We knit this layout using Colors C, B, and A for one washcloth and Colors D, C, and A for the other. The second version is in parentheses…
Follow the Half + Half Pattern as written, casting on with Color C (D) and using it for 3½ inches of Triangle 1, ending with a wrong-side row. Use Color B (C) for the remainder of Triangle 1, then use Color A for Triangle 2.
Layout 4
Follow the Half + Half Pattern as written, casting on with Color E and using it for 2½ inches of Triangle 1, ending with a wrong-side row. Use Color A for 1½ inches, ending with a wrong-side row, then use Color C for the remainder of Triangle 1. Use Color A for Triangle 2.
Layout 5
Follow the Half + Half Pattern as written, casting on with Color B and using it for 2 inches of Triangle 1, ending with a wrong-side row. Use Color D for 2 inches, ending with a wrong-side row, then use Color C for 2 inches, ending with a wrong-side row, then use Color A for 2 inches, ending with a wrong-side row, then use Color E for the remainder of Triangle 1. Use Color A for Triangle 2.
Hi!
I think my latest comment didn’t register (sorry if it shows up twice!). Thank you for offering the customer service email to help me with my round edge email. I sent a couple of pictures last week and would be so grateful for your help! Really can’t wait to get back to knitting this! Thanks!
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for reaching out! We did receive your email and responded to it the next day, so you should have it somewhere in your inbox! Have you checked your spam folders? Just in case you can’t find it, we took a look and your washcloth looks perfectly normal! This is exactly how ours looked while knitting the short rows. As you continue on, the triangle will continue to grow off of your needle and the curved edge will eventually straighten out.
Best,
Julianna
Thanks to your help, I did end up seeing the triangle!!!! Yeay! I do have another question though: it says to follow the pattern until all stitches are wrapped, except the last two. To me, that looks like 70 wrapped stitches + marker + 2 stitches. Next row says « k1, remove marker » – however there are 2 stitches before the marker, not 1, no? If I am right, could you tell us how to work those two last rows of triangle 1 please? Thank you!
Hi Cynthia,
I’m happy to hear your first triangle turned out correctly! It sounds like you might have misplaced your marker in Row 5. On your final Row 4, the last wrap and turn was on the third stitch from the end, leaving two stitches for your final Row 5, in which you knit one, place the marker, and then knit the last stitch. This should result in just one stitch before the marker to set up correctly for the next step!
Best,
Julianna
I am a fairly experienced knitter — and pretty smart too! I can usually figure out a problem and follow a pattern when knitting. I simply cannot transfer the wrap and turn info from the video you reference to making this washcloth. Could you possibly make a video for the wrap and turn for your colorful half and half washcloths? TY!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to create a video tutorial for this pattern at the moment, but it should be just like our video! You might find it helpful to write the written instructions for the wrap and turn, which you can find at the top of this pattern in the Notes section, on a sticky note and keep it right next to the part of the pattern you are working on. That way you won’t have to go searching for a video or instructions when you get to the wrap & turn!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
At first I read the other comments and thought, at least I’m not insane, because I had no idea how this was going to work. I couldn’t imagine it. But then I saw that I could try with a CO of 20, and I thought I’ll try it that way, and by the 5th row I thought, oh, this makes perfect sense! But I couldn’t imagine it before then. Now I’m having a blast with the pattern – thank you!
What gauge crochet needle would you use with this cotton to create a similar result? Thanks!
Hi Mary Eileen,
Thanks for writing in! We recommend using a US E or F hook with Cotton Pure. Everyone’s personal tension is a little different, so I would recommend trying out a swatch or two to see which size gives you a fabric you are happy with!
Best,
Julianna
Hello
For pattern 1, in the last part of the row, where you leave 3 stitches:
1. place marker (I get this)
2. knit stitch (I get this)
3. wrap and turn (I’m confused by what happens after this)
What do you do then? I don’t really understand what happens after wrap and turn.
Thank you
Hi Rowena,
Thanks for reaching out! After working the wrap and turn, you should have the wrong side facing you, with 3 stitches that you didn’t knit on your right-hand needle and the rest of the stitches on your left-hand needle. Now that you have turned your work, you can go on to Row 4, which has you knit across all the stitches that are on the left-hand needle!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hello!
This is my first time using the wrp-t technique. I have watched the video tutorial on how to wrap and turn, but once I turn the piece around I have two stitches left. What am I supposed to do with those two stitches once i have turned my yarn around?
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for reaching out! You will simply be leaving those two stitches where they are without knitting them! Once you have wrapped the stitch and slipped it back over to the left-hand needle, you will turn your work so the wrong side is facing you, and you will have three stitches left on the right-hand needle, the wrap and turn stitch and the two stitches that you didn’t knit. Those stitches will stay put while you knit across the rest of the stitches that are now on the left-hand needle. Short rows are always mystifying the first time you try them, but as long as you follow the pattern, even if it doesn’t make seem like anything you’ve ever done before, the triangle should start to magically grow off of your needles!
Best,
Julianna
Hi Julianna,
I am a bit confused, shouldn’t there just be 2 stitches left on the right-handle (not 3)? The pattern instructs to knit to last 3 stitches, place marker, k1, then w&t, so I am left with 2 stitches.
Hi Erin,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes that is correct, there should be 2 stitches left after working the wrap and turn!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
half and half pattern, triangle 2, color A. How many stitches do you have on your needle after row 2?
Hi Constance,
Thanks for reaching out! After you have worked the wrap and turn at the end of Row 2, you should have the wrong side facing you, and you will have 3 stitches on your right-hand needle and 69 stitches on your left-hand needle. Your total number of stitches will always be 72 throughout the washcloth!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I love these washcloths. Is there a more secure way to deal with the ends than simply weaving them into the fabric? These are going to be used and used hard, washed over and over. I’d love a way to deal with ends that doesn’t have them coming undone with hard use.
Thanks.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! Even in cotton items that will see heavy use and frequent washing, it is possible to make the ends very secure by weaving them in! Duplicate stitch for garter stitch, which can be found about half way through our Weaving In Your Ends tutorial, is a very reliable method since the tail will be traveling in multiple directions. This means that a tug or snag in the wrong place won’t be able to pull out the whole tail! To add an extra layer of protection, I would suggest working duplicate stitch in one direction for about two inches, then skipping up or down a row and working it in the opposite direction for another inch. You may find that the very tip of the tail pops out on the first wash or two, but if you ignore it or tuck it to the wrong side of the washcloth, it should fray slightly and work itself into the fabric over time.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thanks so much. I’ve copied these ideas and will try them.
Love these washcloths, but wish they were a bit smaller. Can I adapt the pattern by 1/3 less stitches and get the same result. thanks
Hi Suze,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m very glad to hear you love this pattern! I believe it would be very easy to adjust the pattern by 1/3 less stitches to get a smaller version of the washcloths with the same result! Please let us know how this goes!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I have a problem & rather than ripping out everything I’m hoping it can be fixed: I’ve noticed that I did not wrap one of the stitches in triangle 1 & wonder if this can be fixed when I get to attaching triangle 2. Any help would be gratefully welcomed. Thank you!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! Depending on where the mistake was made it is possible you can either fix it when you get to the 2nd triangle or you can drop down the column and fix it that way. Unfortunately, since you forgot to wrap the stitch it may be tricky to fix without ripping out… But I would try dropping down to fix it first!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I love these washcloths so much, but i really dislike the look of garter stitch on anything. Could i knit them in a different stitch? Thank you so very much, always great patterns.
Hi Judith,
Thanks for reaching out! If you don’t want to use garter stitch you could use stockinette or possibly even seed stitch!
Warmly,
Gianna
Really, really cute design!😃❤
Earger to knit some!!
Hello! I bought a cone of cotton pure and am working on these washcloths. I have noticed the yarn on the cone keeps twisting and getting tangled. I consider myself an experienced knitter but I am at a loss about why could be happening with this yarn. I don’t have a problem with the skeins I also bought. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Katie,
Thanks for reaching out! Hmm that is interesting, I haven’t heard of this happening before! If you would like please send us some photos of the cone and the problem to our email customerservice@purlsoho.com and we can troubleshoot further from there.
Warmly,
Gianna
I am so confused as to why I couldn’t get my triangles to line up properly. My triangle 1 and 2 rows are perpendicular rather than lined up. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for reaching out! You can send our team a photo of your work to our email customerservice@purlsoho.com and we can troubleshoot further from there what may be going on!
Warmly,
Gianna
Is there a way you can make this pattern more “green” to print.
Hi K,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you can certainly make printing the pattern more green! All you need to do is follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials and only print the pattern instructions. To remove images, click the drop-down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I made a small sample using basic layout, but I’m not sure I’ve knit the wrapped stitches correctly as I cannot enlarge the photos enough to see the area along the color join clearly on the right side and there are no wrong side photos. I have a significant ridge along the join on the right side (which looks ok to me) and a straight line of color B running about half a stitch insde color A edge on the wrong side.
I can send photos if needed.
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for reaching out! If you would like please send our customer service team a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com and they can troubleshoot further!
Warmly,
Gianna
Generally, I don’t like knitting with cotton. Cotton Pure changed my mind. It is lovely to work with. I so enjoyed making these cloths. I’ve finished three and plan more. Thank you for a great yarn and an interesting pattern.
Hi Maralie,
Thanks so much for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you enjoy our lovely cotton yarn and this fun pattern!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I am not an experienced knitter, but have conquered the wrap and turn for the half and half triangle. I am wanting to move on to the other layouts that are shown. My question is, if the color blocks are all knit on triangle one, that means I only cast on for that first color. Then I knit the second color. How am I casting on for the remaining colors? Feeling confused. Thank you
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! So when doing colorwork, you don’t need to “cast on” the new color when it’s time to change, you simply will cut the previous color and then begin knitting with the new strand just as you were knitting before!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Finished with triangle 1 and it’s beautiful. Am a bit confused about how to start 2–the pattern says ‘with color A knit one’. What am I knitting? A stitch before I pick up the first from color 2? And then am I starting with the bottom left stitch (orientation same as shown above). thank you!
Hi Lane,
Thanks for reaching out! You shouldn’t need to pick up any stitches because you should not have bound off any stitches. Since we use short row shaping to create the first triangle, you should still have all 72 stitches on your needle and they should all still be live. So you will start triangle 2, with the new color, by knitting one stitch, then knitting the stitch with its wrap, you will repeat this across the row with all 72 of the stitches until you reach the last stitch and knit one.
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Im addicted to knitting these washcloths. I need your advice about adding in a new color. I’m not happy with knotting the yarns at the edge. Do you have a solution to make the edge look better when changing to a new color? Thanks
Hi Mommo,
Thanks for writing in! The best way to change colors for a neat edge is to simply leave the end loose (do not tie it) and begin knitting the next row with the new color just as you normally knit the row! From there you can weave in the ends once you are finished to secure the end!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Thanks for the advice. That’s just what I did on the last one I finished. It worked well. I knit these with a cast on of 43 stitches. Perfect for my small hands. They are about 6-6.5 inches. Thanks for the advice and for a fun pattern.
I love this washcloth and the yarn. But I cannot get past Triangle 2, Row 6. K1, knit next stitch with its wrap, place marker, wrp-t. When I do this I am turning and facing the marker. When I slip off the marker for Row 7 I have only two stitches to knit before the row is ended so I will constantly be knitting on the last two stitches. HELP! I have done this 6 times and end up with the same result. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Beverly,
Thanks for reaching out. In Triangle 2, each short row gets longer by one stitch every time you repeat Rows 7 and 8! On Row 7, there are indeed only 2 stitches to knit, but when you work Row 8, you’ll add a stitch when you “knit next stitch with its wrap.” Then the next time you repeat Row 7, you’ll have 3 stitches left to knit. Perhaps an easier way to think about this is that on each repeat of Row 8, you knit to the wrapped stitch, knit that stitch with its wrap, and then wrap and turn on the following stitch. So each newly wrapped stitch is one stitch further along than the wrapped stitch on the previous repeat of Row 8. I hope this helps clear things up!
All the best,
Lili
THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I thought I was following the pattern but I was not. When I looked again I see the pattern is perfect and alas I am not. I lovvve this washcloth and the yarn is soo beautiful!
Triangle 2… is my first stitch at the top right or bottom left of the photo?
I’m currently at the end of the second row and my working yarn is buttom left. Have I messed up and if so can I fix it?? I really don’t want to undo the first knit with wrap line…
Hi Jemima,
Thanks for writing in. After completing Row 2 of Triangle 2, and with the right side of the project facing you, your working yarn should be in the upper right-hand corner! However, keep in mind that Row 2 is only the first row using Color B. Have you knit just one row with this color so far, or have you knit 2 rows with Color B? If you’ve knit 2 rows with this color, then you’ve actually finished Row 3, and the working yarn would be in the correct place. Alternatively, have you turned your work yet? If you’re viewing the washcloth from the wrong side, then that might explain it as well. Hope this helps you figure out what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks Lili! When I started Triangle 2 I went to to start from the cast on edge (so did the knit with wrap from bottom to top). But I think now I should have started from the top, as if carrying on with yarn A that I’d worked triangle 1 in. So I think I can just start now on the wrap turn lines… let’s see! Thank you!
I just finished my first washcloth! Thank you for such an interesting pattern. Beautiful. I want to knit a bunch now!
I have just come across your half and half wash cloths pattern and really like it. I thought I would add a few more stitches and intend to turn it into a baby blanket in our UK double knitting. Thank you so much for inspiring me to have a go at it.
Hi Jannie,
Thanks so much for writing in, and we are so happy to hear that you have been inspired to experiment with your project! I’m sure your baby blanket will turn out beautifully! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Happy knitting!
Carly
Hello, I love this pattern. I would like to make some different sizes. What is the pattern guide for that. The pattern is multiple of what?
I hope you understand my question. I write like I think which is all tangled up in my brain!
Hi Maria,
Thanks so much for writing in! Because of the construction of these washcloths, you can cast on any number of stitches for the width, as the length will build on the established width, which will always result in the length being 95% of the width.
I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
Hello-I have attempted the initial half + half washcloth twice and ripped it out because it seemed like it wasn’t coming out correctly. Should the marker eventually move towards the center of the knitting over time? Mine kept ending up in the same place somehow and also, the very edge stitch never got worked again. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for your question! Your marker should always be 3 stitches from the end of the row, but because of the short row shaping, the marker gets moved in one stitch on every right side row. The wrp-t stitches will start to form a triangle and each row will be getting shorter, so the edge stitch won’t get worked again until you begin triangle 2. Here is our tutorial on Short Rows that you might find helpful for this project!
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Carly