TRIANGLES dishcloth knitting pattern
This pattern was originally published in 2018. It has been fully updated for 2026 with a new high-resolution chart, revised instructions and project summary.
Think you can’t knit complex-looking shapes? Think again. The Triangles Dishcloth uses nothing more than basic knits and purls to create a stunning geometric pattern. It’s the perfect project for beginners looking to move beyond the basics or for experienced makers wanting a quick, ‘mindful’ knit. Now re-released with our sharpest charts yet to help you follow along with ease.
| Project Detail | Requirement |
| Skill Level | Beginner (only knits and purls) |
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted |
| Needle Size | 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches) |
| Finished Size | 8.5” x 8.5” (22 cm x 22 cm) |
Materials & Tools
- Yarn: approx. 70 yds (64 m) of DK weight yarn. Cotton is recommended for dishcloths; wool or acrylic blends work beautifully for blankets.
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) straight needles (I suggest using 4.5 mm / US 7 needles specifically for casting on and binding off to keep your edges flexible).
- Tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.
- Gauge: 21 sts x 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stocking stitch.
You can change the yarn weight and needle size to obtain different sized blocks.
Triangles Blanket Square
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st: stitch
- k: knit
- p: purl
The Pattern: General Instructions
💡 Prefer to knit off-line or away from the screen? You can purchase the ad-free, high-resolution printable PDF version of this pattern in the Oh La Lana! shop, on Etsy, or in my Ravelry store. It includes a clear, enlarged chart and row-by-row instructions, perfect for your project bag!
- Cast on sts
CO 43 sts with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
I always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevents my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight. - Garter stitch bottom border
With US 6 (4 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
Slip first stitch on every row as if you were to knit it, but without knitting it (except on the first row). It will form a neat and sturdy border. - Main pattern with garter stitch side borders
Continue working the next 55 rows as follows:
4 garter sts, TRIANGLES knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
Work 6 times the Triangles pattern complete and then rows 1) to 7) again.
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the Triangles knitting pattern. - Garter stitch top border
Knit 4 rows.
- Bind off
Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
- (Optional) Blocking
Block your square to its final measures.
Triangles dishcloth knitting pattern: Written instructions
Over a multiple of 8 sts. I added 3 more sts to adjust for our needed 35.
Repeat instructions between brackets a total of 4 times.
Row 1) (RS) k1, [p7, k1], p2
Row 2) k1, p1, [p2, k5, p1], p1
Row 3) k1, [k2, p3, k3], k2
Row 4) p2, [p4, k1, p3], p1
Row 5) p1, [p3, k1, p4], p2
Row 6) k2, [k3, p3, k2], k1
Row 7) p1, [p1, k5, p2], p1, k1
Row 8) p2, [k1, p7], k1
Triangles dishcloth: Chart
- Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
New to reading charts? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! You can find my step-by-step guide in the Oh La Lana! Academy: How to Read Knitting Charts for Beginners. It breaks down exactly how to follow the grid so you can knit this pattern with confidence!
Note: These charted instructions represent the 35-stitch design area. Remember to work your 4-stitch garter borders at the beginning and end of every row.
Want to use this pattern as a building block?
If you are working on a nursery blanket project, check out our Animal and Transport collections. You can find a lot of ideas there! And if you want to personalize your blanket, the Alphabet series (uppercase & lowercase) have the perfect additions to make your blanket unique.
Ready to put your blocks together?
See my Finishing & Assembly guide for the neatest way to join your squares.
Pin it!
You can use the image below to save this pattern in your Pinterest knitting board.
The TRIANGLES pattern was originally released during Oh La Lana! 2018 MKAL “12 Blocks for Xmas”.
Will there be PDF versions?
Hi Cheryl, I’m worknig on it. I’ll update the post shortly to include it. Happy knitting!
Recipe blogs use a print recipe feature. It is nice to have a print copy without ads. I wish more knitting and craft blogs has a similar option. Thanks for the great pattern! It’s one I would use in a scarf, too.
Thank you! It is a great pattern for a scarf, I believe so too 🙂
I’m working on the PDF for the print-friendly version for each block.
By the way, your quilt work is really wonderful!
Just received the email for this marvelous pattern – I look forward to trying this out. Many thanks for the hard work – it cannot be all that easy writing patterns.
Thank you for joining, Linette, I’m happy you like it. It is hard work, but also a rewarding experience. And lots of fun! 😀
Thank you for this KAL! I, as a novice knitter, am excited to begin. I have one question, though. You say you knit the Stockinette Triangles Stitch 8 times – I’m assuming this is rows 1-8 – then you knit rows 1-5, repeating the bracket info 5 times. Correct? Could you also clarify the slipped stitches-is this just for the first and last 3 knit rows? Why don’t you slip stitch on the first row? Thank you!
Hi Sandra! I’m glad you joined 🙂 I just wrote a post to answer your question about the slipped stitches, in my HOW TO section.
I’ll explain the rest here. When I say I knitted 8 repeats of the Stockinette Triangles Stitch and then rows 1 to 5, I’m referring to rows. The stitch pattern has 8 rows, so 8 repeats = 8×8 = 64 rows. And then, 1 to 5, will give us a total of 69 rows of Stockinette Triangles St Pattern with 3 garter at each side. Now is clearer?
The brackets refer to repeats of stitches, not rows. For instance, in Row 1, you work: k1, [p7, k1] and repeat the instruction INSIDE brackets. Let’s break down the entire first row: 3 garter sts, 41 sts in St Triangles St (k1, p7, k1, p7, k1, p7, k1, p7, k1, p7, k1), 3 garter sts.
I hope this helps you!!
Thank you so much! I am going to knit a sample square to be sure I understand the pattern.
You’re welcome! Take your time, don’t worry. And ask again if you need to 🙂
what type of yarn did you use
Hello!
You can use worsted / aran yarn. OR fingering or sport held double. You can find the list of materials in the project introduction here: https://ohlalana.com/2018/10/31/12-blocks-for-xmas-a-free-blanket-of-blocks/
In case you are curious about the specific yarn that I use to knit the squares, I am using sport cotton, double. 🙂
Hi Cecilia, I wanted to put the same question but fortunately I read the comments, so I have the answer. I am still looking for the best match – wool or cotton and the right gauge! Thank you for this mystery KAL, I love it!
Gabriela
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the PDF version!
You’re welcome!! 😀
I’m not a novice, but I was getting confused. I knew it was adding up and now on row five, it was lining up either. I’m glad you clarified some things. Looking forward to my first KAL. Thanks!
*wasn’t
Seeing forward to have them all tx
🙂 Thank you for joining!
Like the jdea and first block fast knit, can you however reveal how you intend joining the blocks? by knitting or by seaming after.
I’m happy you like it 😀
I plan to give 2 options: simple seam, and crochet seam. I know some people decide to knit in stripes instead of blocks (3 stripes of 4 patterns each) to avoid some sewing. Of course, every idea is welcome!!
perfect, just good to know for yarn planning, a very nice method is also three needle bind off. i am planning to add some simple purl squares to add to size
This looks like fun! Thank you.
If I use cotton yarn will these squares be okay for dishcloths?
Absolutely! I use them as dishcloths/washcloths and also can be made bigger and use them as kitchen towels (or just hand towels if you want to). BUT make sure to use 100% cotton yarn 🙂
Thank you for the row by row instructions. I’m a novice, so this may be a silly question: does the slip stitch count as the first stitch in the row leaving 2 garter stitches before the stockinette?
Thanks!
You’re welcome! Yes, Erin, exactly, the slip stitch at the beginning counts as garter number 1. Not a silly question at all!
Excited to try this and follow along with all the other 11 patterns. May I ask what do you mean by ( always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevent my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight.) Do I only use needle no. 5 for the 3 stitches on each end? and 4.5 for the triangles. Sorry for the stilly question, I still have trouble reading patterns due to being a novice knitter.
Hello Verginia, and welcome to the KAL!! 😀
I mean that I cast on all 47 sts using a 5 mm needle, and then knit all sts and all rows in 4. on5 mm. I do this because I have a tendency to cast on and bind off stitches too tightly onto my needles. Each knitter has his or her own method to prevent differences on tension; that’s just mine. Maybe you don’t need it!
Please, note that you have to knit all sts in each row with 4.5 needles for this project.
I really really like receiving messages and questions, and being able to help novice knitters. It brings back pleasant memories of me asking the questions and my granny answering them 🙂 ❤ So ask again if you need to!
My triangle block is not coming out as a square. I did a 5 repeats of the 8 rows. I can’t figure out why it isn’t shaping up of a square.
Hello Lori.
Maybe you have a different tension than me. You can fix it by blocking the square, if you like. We still have not covered how to finish the blanket, but I recommend to block each square to the same final measures.
You say to slip the first stitch without knitting it to give it a nice border. Will this make joining the squares together easier? I love your blocks! They are beautiful!
Exactly, Susan! It’s lots easier to sew the blocks side by side.
I’m happy you joined us!
I’m really late to the party, but do you slip the stitch on the 3 beginning knit rows as well as all the subsequent ones please?