Skip to content
SkeinSmartStart tracking — free
Slip-Stitch Spa Cloth, preview render
Preview render

Free knitting pattern · easy · worsted weight

Slip-Stitch Spa Cloth

A two-color cotton spa cloth worked flat in rows using simple slipped stitches to create a woven, honeycomb-like texture. Only one color is used per row, making it perfect for beginners exploring colorwork.

Sneaky-easy colorwork

Finished / weight

8 in wide × 8 in tall (unstretched), after blocking

Gauge

18 sts × 30 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in slip-stitch pattern with US 7 (4.5 mm)

Yarn

Worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors (Color A and Color B); approximately 50 yards of Color A and 40 yards of Color B (90 yards total). Suggested fiber: 100% cotton for best absorbency.

Needles / hooks

US 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles

Notions

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors

Abbreviations

CO = cast onBO = bind offk = knitp = purlsl = slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back unless otherwise statedwyif = with yarn in frontwyib = with yarn in backRS = right sideWS = wrong siderep = repeatst(s) = stitch(es)CA = Color ACB = Color B

Cast On

Cast OnUsing CA, CO 36 sts.36 sts

Garter Border (Bottom)

Rows 1–4Using CA, k all 36 sts.(4 rows)

Slip-Stitch Body

Row 5 (RS)Join CB. Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 7–8Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 9 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 10 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 11–12Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 13 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 14 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 15–16Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 17 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 18 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 19–20Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 21 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 22 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 23–24Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 25 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 26 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 27–28Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 29 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 30 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 31–32Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 33 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 34 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 35–36Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 37 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 38 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 39–40Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 41 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 42 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 43–44Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 45 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 46 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 47–48Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 49 (RS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 50 (WS)Using CB, k4, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rows 51–52Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)
Row 53 (RS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyib, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 54 (WS)Using CB, k2, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 55–56Using CA, k all 36 sts.(2 rows)

Garter Border (Top)

Row 57 (RS)Using CA only, k all 36 sts. Cut CB and weave in end.
Rows 58–60Using CA, k all 36 sts.(3 rows)
Bind OffUsing CA, BO all 36 sts knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-in tail.0 sts

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle. Wet block the cloth by soaking in cool water, gently squeezing out excess moisture, and laying flat to the finished measurements of 8 in × 8 in. Allow to dry completely before use.

Notes

Slip all stitches purlwise throughout unless specifically instructed otherwise. Carry the unused color loosely up the side of the work — do not cut between each color section to avoid excessive ends. The two-row slip-stitch segments (one RS row, one WS row) and the two-row CA plain garter segments create the woven, honeycomb appearance. The pattern alternates the position of the slipped stitches by 2 stitches every 8 rows (rows 5–6 vs. rows 9–10), producing the offset grid effect. For a larger cloth, cast on any multiple of 4 sts plus 4 edge sts (e.g., 40 or 44 sts) and work more body rows as needed. Cotton yarn is recommended for its absorbency and durability; avoid superwash wool or acrylic blends for spa cloths intended for skin care use.

Knit this row by row — free

SkeinSmart keeps your place in any pattern, syncs across devices, and turns your yarn stash into a shopping list. Describe a project and get your own pattern in seconds.

Start tracking this pattern →

AI-drafted, human-run · this version drafted Sep 23, 2026. Always swatch and verify stitch counts before casting on.