Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Two-Tone Bias Knit Washcloth

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two tone bias knit washclothThe bias knit washcloth is a classic knitting pattern, so classic in fact it has a default name: Grandmother’s Favorite.

I like it because it’s super easy, but still fun and quick to knit, and it’s perfect for using just about every scrap of leftover yarn you have.

I had the teensiest little bit of blue yarn left from other projects that I wanted to use, so I stitched the first half of my washcloth with that, and the second half with a coordinating green.

It made a tiny cloth perfect for face washing, but of course you can use this method to make a washcloth or dishcloth of any size you like.

Materials

  • I used about 35 yards of two colors of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (colors Aqua and Mint), but you can use as much as you like to make a larger cloth
  • one pair size 6 US/4mm knitting needles
  • yarn needle

Gauge

Gauge is not critical but I got about 5 stitches and 10 rows per inch/2.5 cm in bias Garter Stitch

Size

My finished washcloth is about 6 inches/15 cm square. It’s a perfect little face cloth but just keep increasing a while longer to make yours bigger if you like.

How to Knit a Two-Tone Bias Knit Washcloth

bias knit washclothWith color A, cast on 4 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Knit 1, yarn over, knit across.

Repeat this row until you are almost out of yarn or the sides of your triangle are the length you’d like a side of your washcloth to be. I had 30 stitches when I began decreasing.

Change to color B.

Knit 1, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. One stitch decreased.

Repeat this row until 4 stitches remain (the last row will end with the decrease, not a knit 1).

Knit 1 row.

Bind off. Weave in ends.

More Knitted Kitchen

Check out my other patterns from the series: Circular Washcloth | Loop Stitch Washcloth | Ridged Ribbon Eyelet | Cartridge Rib Dishcloth | Two-Color Moss Stitch Dishcloth | Vine Lace Dishcloth

You can find the full list of blog hop patterns as they become available on the main blog hop page, or join us on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. How do you change colors so as to hide the tail of Color A? Thanks, Sarah! I make lot of these superquick (Portuguese purl), look forward to doing the two-color version!

  2. Just start knitting with the second color at the beginning of a row, leaving a few inches of both hanging at the side. When you weave in the ends, make sure you weave the color A to the color A side and the color B to the color B side.

Have you read?

Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern – A Simple Comfort Bear To Knit And Donate

There is something incredibly touching about a handmade teddy bear, especially when it has been knitted with the purpose of bringing comfort to someone who needs it most. This free Trauma Teddy knitting pattern from CraftBits is one of those simple, practical knitting projects that reminds us handmade things can still make a very real difference.

The idea of a Trauma Teddy is closely connected with comfort, care, and kindness. The Australian Red Cross began hand-knitting Trauma Teddies back in 1990, and since then, these soft little bears have been given to children experiencing frightening, lonely, or overwhelming moments. They might be handed to a child in an ambulance, in hospital, after an emergency, during a disaster response, or when a little reassurance is needed.

That is what makes this basic knitted teddy bear pattern so special. It is not about creating a fancy collector’s bear or a toy with dozens of tiny details. It is about making something soft, safe, and comforting — the kind of bear a child can hold onto when everything feels a bit too big.

You can find the free pattern here: Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern on CraftBits

This CraftBits Trauma Teddy pattern is a good choice for knitters who enjoy charity knitting, comfort knitting, or small stash-busting projects. The pattern uses basic supplies and includes yarn and needle suggestions, with a note that one skein can make several bears. That makes it a practical option if you are knitting for a donation drive, a community group, hospitals, emergency services, or simply making a few handmade teddy bears to keep on hand for comfort gifts.

What I like about this pattern is its simplicity. The bear has a classic, straightforward shape with a small scarf for personality. It is the kind of project you can knit without needing to buy half the yarn shop, which is always a bonus when the stash cupboard is already giving you side-eye. Leftover washable yarn from baby blankets, jumpers, scarves, or odd balls from past projects would work well here.

For a Trauma Teddy or any bear intended for donation, yarn choice matters. A soft, washable yarn is usually best, especially if the teddy may be handled often or given to a child. Acrylic yarn or washable wool blends are practical choices because they are easy to care for and durable. If you are planning to knit a batch, yarn packs from places like Mary Maxim or basic washable yarn from Amazon can be useful, along with good-quality toy stuffing and a blunt yarn needle for sewing up.

The face is another important detail. For donation bears, embroidered eyes, noses, and mouths are much safer than buttons, beads, or loose embellishments. Even though safety eyes are popular in toy making, many organisations prefer fully stitched features so the bear stays soft and child-safe. A few simple stitches are all you need to give your knitted teddy a gentle expression.

The scarf is a sweet finishing touch and a lovely way to use tiny scraps of yarn. You could make each scarf in a different colour, use bright cheerful shades, soft pastels, rainbow stripes, or even colours that match a local charity or community group. Just make sure the scarf is securely attached if the bear is being donated.

This free Trauma Teddy knitting pattern is best suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting and sewing pieces together. Confident beginners could also give it a try, especially if they are patient with the finishing stage. As with most knitted toys, do not judge the bear too early. Before stuffing and sewing, toy pieces can look a little odd — sometimes more “lumpy potato” than beloved teddy bear — but it all comes together beautifully at the end.

If you enjoy meaningful knitting projects, this is a lovely one to add to your list. It is affordable, useful, and heartfelt, and it turns a small amount of yarn into something that may bring comfort at exactly the right moment.

You may also like our roundup of the best free teddy bear knitting patterns for more knitted bear ideas, or browse these knitting patterns to use your yarn odd balls if your stash is full of little leftover balls waiting for a purpose.

Pattern details

Pattern: Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern
Project type: Knitted teddy bear
Best for: Charity knitting, comfort donations, handmade gifts, stash-busting
Skill level: Beginner to confident beginner
Supplies: Yarn, knitting needles, toy stuffing, yarn needle, embroidery thread or yarn for the face
Recommended yarn: Soft washable acrylic, washable wool blend, or smooth leftover yarn
Safety note: Use embroidered features for bears intended for children or donation

This is a simple little bear with a big purpose, and that is exactly why I love it.