Rose Stitch Dishtowel In New Colors
At this time of year, we’re browsing our counters and our gardens to see what is ripe, what is so abundant it must be used. Maybe it’s gazpacho tonight. Or grilled zucchini? Our beautiful Rose Stitch Dishtowel is a trusty helper in making either and also a lovely reminder that, whether knitting or cooking, when our creativity is engaged, everything tastes better!
Made by adding a periodic knit-through-the-back-loop to basic seed stitch, this rose-stitch texture is wonderfully nubbly in a pleasing diagonal pattern… Easy to memorize and knit but with an abundance of beauty!
It only takes one skein of our organically grown Cotton Pure to whip up each dishtowel. Soft and absorbent, it makes a fabric that’s perfect for drying dinnerware and soaking up spills.
We love how punchy Lemon Mint brightens this palette of dreamy, soft colors and down-to-earth neutrals… Gorgeous!
With a palette as bountiful as a ripening garden, get your creative juices flowing and craft the right combo for you, whether it’s full of peaceful pigments or a vibrant variety!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Originally designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoRoseStitchDishtowel, and #PurlSohoCottonPure. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To make one dishtowel, you’ll need…
- 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure, 100% organically grown cotton yarn. Each skein of this sport weight yarn is 279 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 279 yards required.
- US 4 (3.5 mm) straight or circular needles
- If using straight needles: Two US 4 double pointed needles for I-Cord
SAMPLES: We knit our samples in the colors Heirloom White, Alabaster Cream, Gray Birch, Lemon Mint, Mineral Blue and Lavender Rose.
Gauge
22 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 12 inches wide x 20 inches long
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This pattern works over an odd number of stitches.
Slip Stitches
Slip all slipped stitches knitwise with yarn in front.
Pattern
Cast on 65 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 (see Notes), *k1, p1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2 (right side): Slip 1, *k1 through the back loop (tbl), k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 3: Slip 1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4: Slip 1, *k1, k1 tbl, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Repeat Rows 1–4 until piece measures 20 inches from cast-on edge or until desired length, ending with Row 1.
Bind-Off Row (right side): 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 the 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 dishtowel at base of I-cord, then weave it through looped I-cord, and back into fabric of dishtowel.
Weave in the ends, wet block, and done!
Learn About Cotton Pure + All Our Beautiful Yarns
As special as it is popular, our Cotton Pure brings true natural beauty to this project. 100% organically grown cotton, this sport-weight yarn feels exceptionally soft and supple in your hands, and it comes in tons of gently heathered colors you won’t find anywhere else! Making something big, like a blanket or sweater? Shop our 1,000-gram Cotton Pure On A Cone collection, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Cotton Pure knitting patterns and cast on!
More Sport-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of sport-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fiber
- Shop cotton yarn
- Shop plant-based yarn
- Shop machine-washable yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
can this pattern and project be done in black bird linen ?
Hi Christine,
Thanks so much for reaching out to us! Blackbird Linen’s gauge knits up a bit larger than our sport weight Cotton Pure yarn, so the pattern would have to be modified in order to use this yarn and get the same dimensions for the Rose Stitch Dishtowels. Since the stitch multiple for this pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches, you can easily change the cast-on number to fit the gauge you are working with by casting on an odd number of stitches! We also have a tutorial about gauge that might be helpful for this project.
I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
I would love to print the pattern for future use, but it is 19 pages long with many of the pages only having a few lines. This is a huge waste of paper, and space! Very disappointed in the link.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! There is actually a way to make a “printer-friendly” version of the pattern webpage! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Click on this button, and a window will pop up where you can delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print. When you hover over any image or a text block, it will be highlighted in yellow and a “trash” icon will appear. Just click on this icon to delete anything that’s not necessary to the pattern! For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. Then, just click on the “Print” button in the upper left-hand corner of the pop-up window!
I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Carly
This is such a good idea. You can reduce the pattern to the basics and print it in a single page. Thanks for explaining this.
You are very welcome, Nancy!
All the best,
Margaret
The yellow highlighting to trash works great — thanks!
You are very welcome, Ann!
All the best,
Margaret
Thanks, this is so much better 🙂
Thanks for this, it helps immensely. Believe it or not, I don’t always knit in front of my computer or tablet so having a short, no photos pattern makes life SO much easier.
You are very welcome!
Happy knitting,
Margaret
Hi Laura, If you highlight the parts of the pattern you want, then right click on your mouse a small menu comes up and then you go to print. When the print comes up, look to see where it says “Print on one side” click on that and see if it gives you the option of printing on both sides. If it does click on that and then press print at the bottom of the page. That saves a lot of space and paper. Hope this helps.
I made a dish towel in this pattern with Cotton Pure a Picnic Cotton. So fun to make and a lovely towel! I will definitely be making another one!
Thank you for sharing, DeeAnn! We are so glad you are enjoying this pattern, and we hope you enjoy knitting another one!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi! Is it possible for you to do a chart of this pattern? I even tried googling “rose stitch” chart, but couldn’t find 🤷🏼♀️
Thanks
Hello!
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, we currently do not have a chart for this pattern, however we appreciate your interest and we are taking it to note with our team!
In the meantime, I suggest looking on Ravelry to see if anyone has created a chart for this pattern there!
All the best,
Margaret
I do not see notes on the slip 1.
Hi Mardee!
Thank you for your post. The notes on the slip 1 are referring to this message written in the Notes section of the pattern: “Slip all slipped stitches knitwise with yarn in front.”
I hope this helps, and please feel free to let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Margaret
Mineral Blue is cited as the color for the rose pattern – I do not see a color way on the website in Cotton Pure that is “Mineral Blue”
Hi Patricia!
Thank you for checking in with us! Cotton Pure in Mineral Blue is available for sale on our website right here, and it is located in the middle row, five boxes from the left on the desktop version of our website. You can also select this color from the drop-down menu, where it is listed between Crystal Blue and Moonflower Blue.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Where does one find “Notes” for a pattern being viewed on an iPad?
Hi Cass!
Thank you for your question. The Notes section can be found below SIZE and above PATTERN if you scroll up on this page! For quick reference, this pattern’s Notes section reads:
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over an odd number of stitches.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches knitwise with yarn in front.
I hope this helps pinpoint the pattern notes, and please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi, Do you think this stitch would work for a crib blanket? Does it feel soft enough when worked? I have the cotton pure yarn.
I’m really looking for a simple pattern and would really prefer a pattern with more basic knit stitches but can’t really find what I’m looking for. I want to make a simple good looking blanket, that I don’t have to think much about, just knit…..lol.
If I decide on this stitch do you think triple the cast on would be OK for a blanket. I’m thinking about 36X52 for the blanket size.
Thank you and appreciate any feedback you can give me.
Marlene
Hi Marlene!
Thank you for your question! Based on what you are describing, I think our Double Seed Stitch Blanket would be a great option for you, as well as our Shifting Angles Blanket. If you would prefer to make a blanket with the Rose Stitch used in this towel, I suggest making a gauge swatch to reference for how many stitches are getting per inch, and then using that to calculate how many stitches you would need to cast on. Assuming you are knitting at the same gauge listed in this pattern, you could cast on 198 stitches for a 36″ wide crib blanket.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Margaret, thank you so much for all this information! I really appreciate it. Sincerely, Marlene
You are very welcome, Marlene!
Happy knitting,
Margaret
Hello!
I’m always confused with the edge stitch… does the first and last stitch on your pattern count as the edge stitch or I need to add it?
Thanks!!
Hi Elisabeth!
Thank you for your question! The edge stitch is included in the pattern and is not something you need to add. In this pattern, the first slipped stitch in each row works as the edge stitch to create a smooth chain along either side of the towel. This means that you can knit the pattern as written to achieve a smooth, consistent edge!
I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Margaret
I have been copying your patterns for years and I want to commend you.
You have the best ==most clearly written and illustrated patterns with pictures ever!! Thank u! Keep up the good work!
PS I usually dont like working in cotton and only use beautiful wools,,but you Cotton Pure is wonderful!!
Hi Becky,
Thank you so much for the kind words about our patterns and yarn! We’re delighted to hear that you’ve been enjoying working with Cotton Pure as much as we have!
Happy knitting!
Carly
Can this pattern be adapted to Sun shower cotton? Thanks much. I love Purlsoho.😃
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out with your question! This pattern can absolutely be adapted to use with Sunshower Cotton!
This yarn is a little bit heavier than Cotton Pure, and the recommended needle sizes are between a US 5-6. I’d recommend experimenting by knitting a swatch in pattern on different needles to decide on the fabric density you like best. Once you decide on a needle size, you can measure how many stitches per inch you are getting in that swatch. We have a tutorial here, All About Gauge, that might be helpful for your project!
You can then multiply your stitches per inch by the width you’d like the towels to turn out in inches (our samples are 20″ wide). The Rose Stitch pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches, so you can round your answer to the nearest odd number to get the cast-on amount!
I hope this helps, and please feel free to send any other questions our way!
All the best,
Carly
Hi!
I’ve knit a couple of inches. My gauge is correct, yet my fabric appears looser than what is pictured (mine has air between each stitch) and doesn’t seem appropriate for a dish towel. Has anyone else noticed this? Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear that you’re not happy with the appearance of your dishtowel so far! Have you tried washing your gauge swatch yet? If you’re using Cotton Pure, then I can say for sure that washing it will cause it to shrink a bit and close up any gaps in the fabric. That might help your knit fabric achieve the look you’re going for! It will also be a better representation of the fabric as it will be when you’re using the dishtowel, since you’ll be putting it in the laundry every once in a while. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks, Lili–this is definitely helpful!
You people are just so responsive. One of the many reasons I love purl soho. 😃
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mary!
All the best,
Lili
I have worked several inches of this pattern but I’m noticing the edges want to curl. Any idea why that might be?
Hi Daphne,
Thanks for reaching out! Because this project has more knit stitches on one side than the other (similar to stockinette stitch), there will always be a bit of a natural curl to the fabric. Once you block your project after finishing it, that should minimize the rolling significantly, but there will likely still be some due to the nature of the stitch pattern. If this bothers you, I’d recommend adding more of a border to the dishtowel! You can use a symmetrical stitch (like garter stitch, ribbing, seed stitch, etc.), and this will help prevent the edges from curling at all. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks so much. I think I’ll add a border!
Can this be done in linen stitch?
Hi Mary Ann,
Thanks for writing in! You can absolutely make dish towels in linen stitch. I’d recommend taking a look at some of our patterns that use this stitch:
Sunday Dinner Dishtowels
Colorfield Hand Towels
Soft Cotton Washcloths
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello! Can I make two 10-inch long dishcloths with one skein instead of one dish towel? I think I’m going to try. I love this pattern! And I love your website too.
Hi Amy,
Yes, you could definitely do that! Let us know how they turn out if you give this a try!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
I would like to make a wrap using Cotton Pure and this pattern. How many skeins would you need and how many stitches would you reccomend to cast on? I love this yarn and cant find another pattern of the same weight for this yarn. Thanks so much I always appreciate your help.
Pam
Hi Pam,
I can absolutely calculate that, but I’ll need dimensions first! Can you let me know how long and how wide you’d like your wrap to be?
All the best,
Lili
Great thanks so much Lil.
How many skeins and approximately how many stitches to cast on for a wrap about 16 1/2″ wide by 68″ long. I think that is the measurement of the Rose Stitch Wrap but in a different weight of yarn. The measurements are just approximate. I really appreciate your help, thanks again.
Pam
Thanks for letting me know! To figure out your cast-on number, multiply the number of stitches per inch (5.5 stitches, according to the gauge of the pattern) by the width that you would like (16.5 inches) and cast on the nearest odd number of stitches. In this case, the calculation works out to 91 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written until the wrap is as long as you’d like!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks again Lily, I really appreciate your help. That will be great, I love the pattern and the yarn is beautiful as well. Cant wait to make it! Thanks ever so much! 😁
I’d like to make this using worsted weight cotton yarn that I have in my stash but I’m not sure how to adjust the pattern to account for the thicker yarn. Can you direct me? I’m assuming adjustments need to be made.
Hi Deb,
Thank you for writing in! To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch. You will then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that number by the desired width of your towel and that will give you your cast on number. One thing to keep in mind is that this stitch pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thanks so much Gavriella!
I’m embarrassed to admit this but I’ve tried multiple times to knit a gauge swatch and I keep ending up with a swatch that looks like nothing like the pattern. 🙁 I am slipping the first stitch with the yarn in front and following the rest of the pattern but I end up with vertical columns of knit stitches (weird). Not sure what I am doing wrong as the pattern is simple enough if you follow the directions. LOL I have no idea what I am doing wrong. Is there any way I could email a picture to someone and they could help me trouble shoot? I was hoping to make a few of these as gifts I bought several skeins of Cotton Pure that are just begging me to turn them into this dishtowel. 😉
Hi Deb,
I’m so sorry to hear that your swatch isn’t turning out as expected! You can email us a photo at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to take a closer look.
All the best,
Lili
Thanks Lili!
About how much does this towel shrink when washed?
Hi Peggy,
That’s a great question! Some good news is we haven’t received feedback about this yarn noticeably shrinking after it’s been washed and dried. Instead, we recommend washing and drying your gauge swatch exactly as you intend to so you can get a true idea of how the finished fabric lays with your needles.
I hope that helps, but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi there – love this pattern! Is the goal of k1, k1 tbl, to have all stitches in those rows be twisted?
Hi Jess,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, knitting these stitches through the back loop twists them! The stitches that are knit normally on Rows 2 and 4 will not be twisted though.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you!!!!!