Basketcase Bib & Washcloth
A Simple Knits design
A simple baby bib and washcloth set that's fast and easy to make. An inexpensive baby shower gift that only requires one ball of dishcloth cotton, 2 buttons, and a pair of size 8 knitting needles. Size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles Worsted weight cotton yarn (a 2.5 oz/122 yard skein should yield two bibs and a washcloth) One 1/2"-3/4" button Tapestry needle with large eye A crochet hook Finished bib: 6.5 x 6.5" not including strap Cast on 28 sts. Row 1: (K4, P4) 3x, then K4. Row 2: (P4, K4) 3x, then P4. Rows 3-5: Repeat Rows 1&2 once, then Row 1. Row 6: (P4, K4) 3x, then P4. Row 7: (K4, P4) 3x, then K4. Rows 6-10: Repeat Rows 6 & 7 once, then Row 6. Rows 11-40: Repeat Rows 1-10 three more times.
Strap & Finishing:
Bind off 20 sts. Knit the next 4 sts (these are for the strap). There are still 4 unworked stitches to be bound from the edge of the bib to the strap stitches. (The strap is inset one block from the bib edge.) Move these 4 unworked stitches to the right needle. Then place the first two stitches on a crochet hook and pull the second loop through the first one. Repeat until you have bound off these 4 stitches. (Pull the last stitch over the first of the strap stitches.) Now you will have only 4 stitches left on your knitting needle for the strap. Knit these 4 stitches in garter stitch (knit every row) until the strap measures 7" long. Next row (buttonhole): k2, yo, k2tog. Knit 5 rows. Next row (buttonhole): k2, yo, k2tog. Knit 3 rows. Bind off all stitches. Weave in yarn tails. Split a short length of yarn in half and thread it through the tapestry needle. Place the button on the top edge of the bib (as shown in the picture) and sew the button securely in place.
Washcloth:
Finished washcloth: 5 x 5" square
Cast on 20 sts. Row 1: (K4, P4) 3x. Rows 2-5: Repeat Row 1 - 4x Row 6: (P4, K4) 3x. Rows 7-10: Repeat Row 6 - 4x. Rows 11-30: Repeat Rows 1-10 twice more. Bind off all stitches. Weave in all ends.
