Hopscotch Washcloth + Hand Towel
Our Hopscotch Washcloth + Hand Towel pattern, designed by Deborah Newton, combines simple stitches and our beautiful Sunshower Cotton to create a knit that’s all play and no work!
Deborah creates a playground of texture with a clever arrangement of knits, purls, and right twists, all laid out in a patchwork of squares with a garter border. If the right twist stitch is new to you, you’ll find it’s child’s play with our quick video tutorial!
Jump in with either written or charted instructions that guide you through the easy, memorizable repeats, just a hop, skip, and a jump to complete your own checkerboard fabric.
Sunshower Cotton’s unique coloring, with dappled hues shifting across a creamy base, adds another layer of depth to this washcloth and hand towel set.
A worsted-weight yarn spun in four plies, Sunshower Cotton knits into lovely consistent stitches and at a lively clip, too!
This 100% organically grown cotton has a supple feel, an absorbent quality, and is also machine wash- and dry-able!
Pick from our trio of blues or any of Sunshower Cotton’s twelve delightful colors… And hop to it!
Designed for Purl Soho by Deborah Newton. A designer with over twenty-five years of experience, Deborah lives and works in her favorite city of Providence, Rhode Island, where she grows a little bit of everything, and a lot of roses, in her jam-packed city garden. She has written a bevy of knitting books, and after teaching nationwide for years, she is starting a series of local knitwear design and knitting classes in Providence in fall 2023.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoHopscotchWashclothAndHandTowel, and #PurlSohoSunshowerCotton. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To make one Washcloth (Hand Towel), you will need…
- 1 (5) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Sunshower Cotton, 100% organically grown cotton. Each skein is approximately 159 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 95 (795) yards required. We used the colors Heirloom White Rain Storm, Upper Atmosphere, and Sea Spray.
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or 24-inch circular needles
- US 6 (4 mm) straight or 24-inch circular needles
GAUGE
19 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern, on larger needles
NOTE: For swatch, cast on a multiple of 16 + 8 stitches, and follow pattern below, omitting the 3 garter stitches at each selvage.
19 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch, on smaller needles
SIZES
Washcloth (Hand Towel)
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 9¾ inches wide x 9½ inches tall (23¼ inches wide x 40 inches tall)
SAMPLES: We used Heirloom White for our Washcloths, and Rain Storm, Upper Atmosphere, and Sea Spray for our Hand Towels.
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over a multiple of 16 + 14 stitches (a multiple of 16 + 8 stitches for the Stitch Pattern, plus an additional 6 stitches for the garter-stitch selvages).
RIGHT TWIST (RT)
Knit into front of second stitch on left needle, leaving stitch on needle, then knit into front of first stitch on left needle and slip the two stitches from needle together.
For help with this technique, please visit our Right + Left Twist tutorial.
PATTERN
SET UP
Cast 46 (110) stitches onto smaller needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Knit 7 rows.
Switch to larger needles.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.
Continue to work either from Written Instructions or Charts, both below.
HOPSCOTCH PATTERN: WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1 (right side): K3, RT (see Notes) 4 times, *[p1, k1] 4 times, (RT) 4 times, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 2 (wrong side): K3, p8, *[k1, p1] 4 times, p8, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 3: K4, (RT) 3 times, k1, *[p1, k1] 4 times, k1, (RT) 3 times, k1, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Repeat Row 1.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9: Repeat Row 1.
Row 10: Repeat Row 2.
Row 11: K3, [k1, p1] 4 times, *(RT) 4 times, [k1, p1] 4 times, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 12: K3, [p1, k1] 4 times, *p8, [p1, k1] 4 times, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 13: K3, [k1, p1] 4 times, *k1, (RT) 3 times, k1, [k1, p1] 4 times, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 14: Repeat Row 12.
Row 15: Repeat Row 11.
Row 16: Repeat Row 12.
Row 17: Repeat Row 13.
Row 18: Repeat Row 12.
Row 19: Repeat Row 11.
Row 20: Repeat Row 12.
Repeat Rows 1–20 one (11) more time(s), then Repeat Rows 1–10 one more time. [Piece measures approximately 8½ (39¼) inches from cast-on edge]
Go on to Finishing section, below.
HOPSCOTCH PATTERN: CHART
NOTE: New to reading charts? Unravel the mysteries with our Reading A Chart Tutorial!
Starting in the bottom right corner of the Chart below, work right-side (odd number) rows from right to left and wrong-side (even number) rows from left to right.
Work Rows 1–20 two (12) times, then repeat Rows 1–10 one more time. [Piece measures approximately 8½ (39¼) inches from cast-on edge]
When complete, go on to Finishing section, below.
KEY
CHART
NOTE: Want to see it bigger? Download this chart (and key) as a PDF!
FINISHING
Switch to smaller needles.
Knit 7 rows even.
With wrong side facing you, bind off knitwise.
Weave in all ends, block as desired.
Is this pattern reversible?
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your question! The fabric that this pattern creates is not reversible. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Hi
I am knitting this, and front and back are not the same, but I like the structure on the back as well.
So, not identical, but both sides cute, which makes it reversible enough for me 😉
Hi Jeanette,
Thanks so much for your comment! We’re so happy to hear that you’re enjoying making this project!
All the best,
Cat
If 5 skeins make one towel, can you get a washcloth out of that as well?
Hi Eilene,
Thanks for reaching out. Each washcloth only requires 1 skein of Sunshower Cotton!
All the best,
Lili
I meant, is there enough left over (of the 5 skeins) after making towel, to make a dishcloth?
Hi Eilene,
Thanks for clarifying your question! A hand towel requires 795 yards, which is exactly 5 skeins of Sunshower Cotton. I’d recommend purchasing a 6th skein if you’d like to make a washcloth as well!
All the best,
Lili
I love this pattern! How many stitches and rows are needed to knit a baby blanket?
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m glad to hear that this pattern has caught your eye! We generally design our baby blankets with a width of around 30 inches, so I’d recommend casting on 142 stitches. Then, you can work in pattern until the blanket is your desired length!
If you’re interested in learning how to do this calculation on your own, here’s how to figure out your cast-on number for most rectangular projects: you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern (if this is daunting, we have a wonderful tutorial called All About Gauge). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest number that matches the stitch multiple noted in the pattern (for this pattern, the stitch multiple is 16 + 14). Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Hello, I have a question on the gauge. When knitting the gauge in the patter, I’m having a hard time counting the stitches because it’s not just knits and purls. I’m not sure how to count the right twists.
Hi Sonya,
Thank you for writing in! You measure it like normal, keeping in mind that each section of diagonal stitches is 8 stitches wide and 10 rows tall. If this doesn’t help, you could also email a photo of your swatch with a ruler going horizontal, and another photo with it going vertically to customerservice@purlsoho.com! That way we can double-check your measurements.
All the best,
Gavriella
You all are awesome! I appreciate your willingness to check my gauge. I did get it figured out though. But wow, I am pleasantly surprised by your customer service. ❤
Thank you for your kind words! I am so happy to hear you got it figured out! If any other questions arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Happy making,
Gavriella
Hopscotch pattern expanded would make a lovely baby blanket!
I used Sunshower Cotton earlier this Spring for a gifted Baby blanket
I would like to make a blanket using this stitch. How many additional stitches do I need to add.
Thank you,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for writing in! To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to multiply the number of stitches per inch (4.75) by the width that you would like for your blanket and cast on the nearest multiple of 16 + 14 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Can this be made into a baby blanket? It would be really pretty!
Hi Sue,
Yes, this pattern can definitely be used for a baby blanket! All you’ll need to do is adjust the number of stitches you cast on so that the blanket comes out to the correct size.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to multiply the number of stitches per inch (4.75) by the width that you would like for your blanket and cast on the nearest multiple of 16 + 14 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
I’m just returning to knitting after a 10 year quilting journey and joined the Dumpling Bag KAL. So far, so fun! I am intrigued by a hand knitted towel. Never tried to knit one or use one before. Are hand knitted towels absorbent (assuming the use of suggested yarn)? Are they fairly easy to care for? Do they get heavy when wet? Maybe silly questions, but this type of project is new to me and I am excited by this product.
-Judi
Hi Judi,
Thanks for reaching out! The absorbency of a knit towel really depends on the yarn. We’ve found that our of all of our cotton yarns, Tulip Cotton and Home Life are the most absorbent, when it comes to soaking up water from a surface like a table. For smaller amounts of water, like drying your hands, all our cotton yarns are quite effective! They’ll probably get a bit heavier when wet, but again, that depends on how much water you’re using them to soak up. And they are all super easy to care for! All of our cotton yarns are machine washable and dryable, so you can just throw the towels in with your laundry.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks Lili for the quick and helpful response. I just ordered some more needles to add to my meager collection so I can try this and other patterns. As a 64 year old who first started knitted in my early 40’s as a therapy to help with restoring some damage from a series of small strokes, I found that knitting helped me work on remembering things in order and following patterns, even if it’s slow going at times. I really like the modern take with the high quality of your products. Looking forward to a great adventure with purl soho 🙂
-Judi
You’re very welcome, Judi! Happy knitting!
All the best,
Lili
Based on the previous comments, if knitting a baby blanket using the suggested cast-on of 142 stitches, how many skeins would be required?
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in! The yardage for a baby blanket would depend on the length you knit it to as well as the width. A 142 stitch cast-on number would result in a 30-inch wide blanket (based on the gauge of the pattern), but do you have a sense of how long you want the blanket to be? Let me know, and then I can absolutely make the calculations!
All the best,
Lili
Hello
Would this work well with Tulip Cotton?
Hi Rachel,
Yes, this pattern would look lovely in Tulip Cotton! As always though, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge! If you would like to learn more about this, we have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge, which you can find right here. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Many thanks lili! 🙂
Hi, can you remind me how to save the pattern as a PDF? I want to download it in Knit Companion. Thank you.
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for writing in! If you’re on your computer, you’ll 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 the “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, click on the “PDF” button in the upper left-hand corner of the pop-up window. Once your PDF has finished downloading, just click the “Download PDF” button, and it will be saved to your computer! (You can also click the “Print” button if you’d like to print the pattern.)
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you, Lili! Now can you tell me how to bring that PDF into my Ravelry account? (I can’t wait to make this.) If that’s beyond what you’re here for, I understand and appreciate all the help you’ve given me.
Hi Theresa,
Since we do not offer the PDF itself on Ravelry (we just link to the website page), you will not be able to put it into your Ravelry library. You can save the Ravelry page for this pattern in your library though! That way you can always get back to the webpage at least.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you!