Free Pattern: Pineapple Washcloth 1

I love pineapple. I have for a very long time, for many years I asked people who went to Hawaii to bring me back a pineapple. My best friend brought me a pineapple bracelet instead of an actual pineapple and I wore it all the time. Sadly, in the last few years I have become intolerant to fresh pineapple, so I have to get my fix through canned pineapple on pizza and other creative ways.

Pineapples seem very “in” right now, even in the fiber arts. However, almost all of the pineapples I’ve seen are crocheted! Since I still have not felt the need to actually learn how to crochet I thought I’d make a knit pineapple washcloth (dishcloth?). And since I had a few ideas for pineapples in washcloths, this is the first of at least 2 free patterns I’ll have for you.

This first pineapple plays with a bunch of different textures, but you only need to know how to knit, purl and slip stitches. You can probably finish this quick little project in an afternoon or evening, though I do recommend blocking it as the changes between each texture can result in some waves in your fabric. The pineapple is made up of a symmetrical textured body, and a stockinette (or reverse stockinette) asymmetrical crown. It is completely reversible and I keep changing my mind as to which side I like better!

If you give this pattern a try please tag me and use #knittleandpineapples so I can see your work!

Pattern

Gauge: 2″ x 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm) = 12 rows x 8 stitches in stockinette
Finished measurements: 8.5″ x 8.5″ (21.5 cm x 21.5 cm)

Materials:

• 4.5 mm needles (US 7)
• ~ 30 g / 48 yds worsted weight cotton (I used Bernat Handicrafter, other options could include Lion Brand Re-Up or Knit Picks Dishie (affiliate links))
• Blocking mat
• Blocking pins

Abbreviations Used:
– k: knit
– p: purl
– sl: slip a stitch, all stitches should be slipped purlwise
– ytf: yarn to front, move your working yarn in front of your needle, as if to purl
– ytb: yarn to back, move your working yarn behind your needle, as if to knit

Pattern:
– Cast on 36 (I prefer the long tail cast on)
– R1: *k1 p1* repeat to end of row
– R2: *p1 k1* repeat to end of row
– R3-4: repeat rows 1 & 2
– R5: k1 p1 k1 p1, k28, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R6: p1 k1 p1 k1, p28, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R7-8: repeat rows 5 & 6

Start the pineapple:
– R9: k1 p1 k1 p1, k10, *k1 ytf sl1 ytb* four times k1, k9, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R10: p1 k1 p1 k1, p9, *ytb sl1 ytf p1* four times sl1, p10, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R11: k1 p1 k1 p1, k9, *k1 ytf sl1 ytb* five times k1, k8, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R12: p1 k1 p1 k1, p8, *ytb sl1 ytf p1* five times sl1, p9, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R13: k1 p1 k1 p1, k8, *k1 ytf sl1 ytb* six times k1, k7, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R14: p1 k1 p1 k1, p7, *ytb sl1 ytf p1* six times sl1, p8, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R15: k1 p1 k1 p1, k7, *k1 ytf sl1 ytb* seven times k1, k6, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R16: p1 k1 p1 k1, p6, *ytb sl1 ytf p1* seven times sl1, p7, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R17: k1 p1 k1 p1, k7, *ytf sl1 ytb k1* seven times sl1, k6, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R18: p1 k1 p1 k1, p6, *p1 ytb sl1 ytf* seven times p1, p7, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R19-26: repeat rows 15-18 twice more
– R27: k1 p1 k1 p1, k8, *ytf sl1 ytb k1* six times sl1, k7, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R28: p1 k1 p1 k1, p7, *p1 ytb sl1 ytf* six times p1, p8, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R29: k1 p1 k1 p1, k9, *ytf sl1 ytb k1* five times sl1, k8, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R30: p1 k1 p1 k1, p8, *p1 ytb sl1 ytf* five times p1, p9, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R31: k1 p1 k1 p1, k10, *ytf sl1 ytb k1* four times sl1, k9, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R32: p1 k1 p1 k1, p9, *p1 ytb sl1 ytf* four times p1, p10, p1 k1 p1 k1

Crown your pineapple:
– R33: k1 p1 k1 p1, k13, p3, k12, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R34: p1 k1 p1 k1, p11, k5, p12, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R35: k1 p1 k1 p1, k11, p7, k10, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R36: p1 k1 p1 k1, p12, k8, p10, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R37: k1 p1 k1 p1, k9, p10, k9, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R38: p1 k1 p1 k1, p8, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p9, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R39: k1 p1 k1 p1, k9, p1, k3, p3, k3, p1, k8, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R40: p1 k1 p1 k1, p11, k5, p12, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R41: k1 p1 k1 p1, k12, p6, k10, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R42: p1 k1 p1 k1, p10, k2, p1, k4, p11, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R43: k1 p1 k1 p1, k11, p3, k2, p2, k10, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R44: p1 k1 p1 k1, p9, k3, p2, k3, p11, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R45: k1 p1 k1 p1, k10, p3, k4, p2, k9, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R46: p1 k1 p1 k1, p16, k2, p10, p1 k1 p1 k1

Finish it off:
– R47: k1 p1 k1 p1, k28, k1 p1 k1 p1
– R48: p1 k1 p1 k1, p28, p1 k1 p1 k1
– R49-50: repeat rows 47 and 48
– R51: *k1 p1* repeat to end of row
– R52: *p1 k1* repeat to end of row
– R53: *k1 p1* repeat to end of row
– R54: bind off in pattern (P1, K1)

To block your piece you can choose one of the following:

• Wet block: soak your piece, then pin it to a flat surface to dry
• Steam block: pin your piece to a flat surface and cover with a wet cloth, then iron (I find this steam blocking method more effective)
• Steam block: pin your piece to a flat surface and use a steamer or steam setting on your iron ( find this steam blocking method less effective)

Tag me in your pics of your pieces and use #knittleandpineapples so I can see and share your work! And stay tuned for the next pineapple design!