Elegant Petals Spa Cloth

Elegant Petals Spa Cloth by Paula Veldhuis

What Is Being Made

The Elegant Petals Spa Cloth is a decorative dishcloth designed by Paula Veldhuis. This knitted project produces a finished square cloth measuring approximately 7 by 7 inches, making it ideal for kitchen use, spa applications, or general household cleaning. The cloth features an elegant petal-inspired stitch pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining practical functionality.

Craft and Techniques

This project is created using the knitting craft. The pattern incorporates several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. Knitters will work with basic stitches as well as a specialized increase technique called the Dip Knitted Increase (Dki), which creates the petal-like texture central to the design. This increase stitch is formed by knitting into a stitch located 3 rows below the current working row, then drawing up a long newly created stitch to form the decorative element. The pattern also uses knit 2 together (K2tog) decreases to balance the increases and shape the fabric.

The cloth begins with a garter stitch border—4 rows of knitting all stitches—which provides a neat, finished edge. The main pattern area features alternating knit and purl stitches arranged in a 5-stitch repeat, allowing crafters to easily adjust the finished dimensions by increasing or decreasing stitches in multiples of 5.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – The fundamental stitch that forms the base of the fabric
• Purl (P) – Used in combination with knit stitches to create textured patterning
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) – A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count and shapes the design
• Dip Knitted Increase (Dki) – A specialized increase stitch that creates the petal texture by knitting into a stitch from 3 rows below, forming the signature decorative element
• Long-Tail Cast On – The recommended cast-on method for creating a sturdy, professional-looking foundation edge
• Garter Stitch – Created by knitting every row, used for the border to frame the patterned center

Materials and Specifications

This intermediate-level project requires worsted weight yarn, preferably in cotton fiber for ease of care and durability in a kitchen or spa setting. Approximately 100 yards of yarn is needed to complete the cloth. Crafters will work with size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches over 4 inches, which ensures the finished cloth reaches the intended 7-by-7-inch dimensions. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 33 stitches, providing the base for the 5-stitch repeat pattern that runs throughout the main section.