Since the Spot Woven Stitch produces a dense, non-stretchy fabric, it is ideal for items like dishcloths, hot pads, placemats, rugs, pocketbooks, etc. I’ve even used it for hard-wearing, cushiony heels on socks.
I hope you will join in to knit along for this month’s KnitHeartStrings KAL and learn about Spot Weaving.
To tempt you, I have designed the Spot Woven Dishcloth learning project.
Spot Woven Dishcloth
In this pattern, you will learn:
- woven stitch
- troika method of using 3 different alternating ends of yarn
Overview of Spot Weaving Technique
For the Spot Woven Stitch pattern, you will be working with 3 ends of yarn —
- 2 ends of a main background color (you can work with 1 end from each end of a center pull ball of yarn)
- 1 end of a spot accent color
I will step you through the details for setting up the color sequence — trust me and follow along. You’ll soon see what is happening with this sturdy 3-end woven stitch technique that makes a striking color stitch design.
Finished Size
6″ square (to make larger, cast on any even number of stitches and allow for more yarn)
Supplies
YARN – Worsted weight cotton yarn in 2 colors. For the yarn in the samples pictured, I used Lily Sugar ‘n Cream in Hot Orange for the background color and Hot Pink for the spot accent color. Check your stash for scraps or partial balls as you won’t need much for the dishcloth learning project. You’ll only need –
- 25 yards of a main background color (M)
- 15 yards of a spot accent color (A)
Tip: Scraps of different colors for the accent “bead” colors would be fun, too!
KNITTING NEEDLES – Size US 8 (5 mm)
GAUGE – 5 stitches per inch over stitch pattern
Instructions
With A, cast on 30 sts using long tail cast on or a knitted-on cast on. (Note: the purl side of the cast on will show on the RS and is done intentionally to counteract a curling edge.
Row 1 (RS): Drop A and attach M. * k1, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): Drop M and attach other end of M. With this new end of M, * p1, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: Drop yarn you were just using and pick up other working yarn end waiting 2 rows below on the edge. * k1, sl 1 wyif, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: Drop yarn you were just using and pick up other working yarn end waiting 2 rows below on the edge. * p1, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Tip: You are always knitting or purling the slipped sts of the previous row, and slipping the other sts (either wyif or wyib) except for the last 2 sts of the row which are either k2 or p2.
Rep rows 3 – 4 until length is equal to width and having completed 2 successive rows of M. (Note: if you aren’t quite to equal length yet that is ok as you will still have 1 more row to knit plus the bind off row.)
With A, complete the last row of spots as follows depending on whether you are working a RS or WS row —
[for RS row]: * sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyif, rep from * to last 2 sts, (sl 1 wyib) 2 times.
[for WS row]: * sl 1 wyif, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to last 2 sts, (sl 1 wyif) 2 times.
(Note: You don’t do any actual knitting on this row; you are just weaving the A yarn through the row of sts to give a nice ending to the pattern stitch.)
With A, do a plain knit or purl row depending on whether RS or WS respectively.
With A, bind off using knit stitch if on WS, or using purl stitch if on RS. (Note: this is to somewhat match cast on edge and to avoid curling.)
Weave in ends. (Note: I hid all my ends in the WS of the side edge stitches. Worsted weight yarn is “fat” enough to do that without problems; it’s not like having to deal with skinny lace yarn, lol.)
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I enjoy knitting the linen stitch so I must give this one a try. I like your colour combination. I’m not one to use knit dishcloths ( I know I’m in the minority) so I could see this as a scarf instead. Thanks for providing an interesting stitch pattern and including helpful tips.
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Woo Hoo a dishcloth!!! I love knitting dishcloths. Lots of leftover Sugar ‘n Cream yarn from which to pick my colors. All I have to do is finish my current dishcloth and then start this one.
Thank you Jackie:)
Is this the same as the linen stitch? Love doing it in 2 colors. Thank you for sharing your talents.
The spot woven technique is similar. If you like doing linen stitch in 2 colors, I think you will like trying this technique. It also uses 2 colors and slips stitches. But produces a different look. You are using 3 ends of yarn — 2 of one color, and 1 of another, and working them in a particular repeating sequence. Another advantage of the 3-ended troika sequence is that the changes of colors are carried up each edge equally (rather than all up on just one of the edges. Hope you enjoy!
please send pattern thank you
Patricia, I don’t send this free pattern. You view or print it from this page.
I really have to try this discloth, just love the way it looks! I haven’t made any others before and have always been saying that I will make one, however, this one is tempting me so much that I will be doing it
Jackie when you say in the instructions to “attach M” what method would you use. When changing colors in regular knitting I usually tie an overhand knot of the new color around the strand I’m about to drop and push the knot up close and cut leaving a few inches. At the end I carefully untie the knots and weave in the tails. You don’t say anything about weaving in the ends, I’m probably missing something and none of this matters but I’d still like some hints on attaching if possible.
Thank you for all you do
Heidi
You can use whatever method you prefer for temporarily attaching the yarn. I myself just leave enough of a tail to weave in later, and then start knitting.
that is really a unique idea I like it.
I have not tried it yet, but I noticed that Row 1 uses wyib, but Row 3 uses wyif. Just reading the pattern, I would expect Row 1 to use wyif. Is it different because it is a set up row? Should I just trust you and follow along?
Row 1 intentionally uses wyib because it is a setup. Good for you that you are reading carefully, because in this pattern it is very important to pay attention to whether the yarn is in front or back when slipping stitches!
I’ve kind of given up on knitting dishcloths, Jackie, but this might tempt me back – so pretty!
Thank you !!!! look forward to this!!!!