How many rounds do I knit and what size should the dishcloth be after round 30?

Knit every stitch in each round continuously from round 1 through round 30. After 30 rounds the piece should measure approximately 6 inches in diameter. Continue working in the round, knitting every stitch, until you reach this measurement before moving on to the border.

How to Knit an Iris Stitch Dishcloth

Q: How do I add the border to an iris stitch dishcloth?

Starting at round 31, switch to single crochet (sc) and work one single crochet into every stitch around — you should have 60 stitches total in this round. Continue working in single crochet rounds using the same instructions until the piece measures approximately 8 inches in diameter, which should take approximately 40 rounds total including the border.

Q: What is blocking and why is it important for a knitted dishcloth?

Blocking involves placing the finished dishcloth under a steaming iron to crisp up the stitches and set the shape. It's optional but highly recommended — blocking evens out any uneven tension, opens up the stitch texture, and gives the finished piece a polished, professional appearance.

Materials & tools you'll need

Red Heart Soft Baby Chunky yarn in Shimmering Purple (or any chunky yarn) · Size 10 US knitting needles · Tapestry needle · Scissors · Iron and blocking board (optional but recommended)

Step 1 — Cast on and set up

Begin by casting on 24 stitches using your chosen yarn and size 10 US knitting needles. Join the round carefully, making sure not to twist your stitches before joining — a twisted cast-on is one of the most common beginner mistakes in circular knitting, and it can't be fixed once you've worked a few rounds. Take a moment to lay the stitches flat on the needle and check that they all hang in the same direction before slip stitching to join. Once joined, you're ready to begin the first round of the iris stitch pattern.

Step 2 — Work rounds 1–30

Starting with round 1, knit every stitch all the way around — 24 stitches per round. Continue working in the round, knitting every stitch on every round, until the piece measures approximately 6 inches in diameter. This should take approximately 30 rounds in total, though the exact round count may vary slightly depending on your individual tension. Measure regularly as you work rather than relying solely on the round count, as yarn weight and tension affect the final dimensions. The continuous knit-in-the-round technique creates the smooth, textured iris stitch fabric that gives this dishcloth its distinctive look.

Step 3 — Add the single crochet border (rounds 31–40)

At round 31, switch technique and begin working single crochet (sc) stitches around the piece. Work one single crochet into every stitch around — you should have 60 stitches total in this first border round. If you'd like to add a color contrast, this is the point to switch to a new yarn color before beginning the border. Continue working in single crochet rounds, following the same round 31 instructions for each subsequent round, until the piece measures approximately 8 inches in diameter. This takes approximately 10 additional rounds, bringing the total to around 40 rounds. The single crochet border adds structure, a clean edge, and extra thickness to the dishcloth.

Step 4 — Block the dishcloth

Once all rounds are complete, block the dishcloth for best results. Lay the piece flat on your blocking board and hold a steaming iron a few centimetres above the surface — do not press the iron directly onto the yarn. Apply steam evenly across the entire piece, allowing the moisture and heat to relax the fibres and set the stitches in place. The iris stitch texture becomes much more defined and even after blocking, and the dishcloth will hold its circular shape far better in use and through washing. Allow the piece to cool and dry completely on the blocking board before removing. This step is optional but makes a noticeable difference to the finished appearance.

Step 5 — Weave in ends and finish

Thread all loose yarn tails onto your tapestry needle and weave each one securely through several stitches on the wrong side of the dishcloth, working in different directions to lock the ends in place. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric. Give the finished piece a final look over to make sure all ends are neatly hidden and nothing is trailing loose. Your iris stitch dishcloth is now complete and ready to use — equally at home in the kitchen as a dishcloth, on the table as a coaster, or as the base panel of a small bag.

Frequently asked questions

What materials are needed to knit an iris stitch dishcloth?
You'll need Red Heart Soft Baby Chunky yarn in Shimmering Purple (or any chunky yarn), size 10 US knitting needles, a tapestry needle, scissors, and an iron with a blocking board — optional but highly recommended.

How many rounds do I knit and what size should it be after round 30?
Knit every stitch in each round from round 1 through round 30. After 30 rounds the piece should measure approximately 6 inches in diameter. Measure regularly as you work rather than relying solely on round count.

How do I add the border to an iris stitch dishcloth?
Starting at round 31, switch to single crochet and work one sc into every stitch around — 60 stitches total. Continue single crochet rounds until the piece measures approximately 8 inches in diameter, which takes roughly 10 more rounds (40 total).

What is blocking and why is it important for a knitted dishcloth?
Blocking involves holding a steaming iron above the finished piece to set the stitches and shape. It evens out tension, opens up the stitch texture, and gives the dishcloth a polished, professional appearance. Optional but highly recommended for best results.

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