Materials: Use a sport to worsted weight cotton, (1 - 50gram ball or less) and #3or #4 US needles.

Instructions:
Cast on 46 stitches.
Row 1: Knit across to last 3 stitches and slip them one at a time, with yarn in front, to the right needle.
Row 2 - 4: Repeat Row 1.

You now have 2 ridges of garter stitch with the beginnings of an applied I-cord border.

Row 5: K3, *k4, P4, repeat from * to last 3 stitches and slip them, with yarn in front, one at a time to the right needle.
Row 6 - 10: Repeat Row 5.
Row 11: K3, *P4, K4, repeat from * to last 3 stitches and slip them one at a time to the right needle.
Row 12 - 16: Repeat Row 11.
Repeat Rows 5 - 10.
Repeat Rows 11 - 16.

Continue in checkerboard stitch, working applied I-cord at the edges, until piece is square.
Continuing to work I-cord edge, work 4 rows garter stitch (all knit).
Cast off. Done!

Run the tails of yarn down through the little I-cord tubes at the sides - they're very well hidden there.

I think the alternating knits and purls help keep this washcloth from stretching too far out of shape the way an all garter stitch cloth can. A very utilitarian pattern!