Pretty Mock Smocked pattern with lots of texture adds interest to afghan blocks and would also make a wonderful textured dishcloth in cotton.

The pattern as written would work out to 8” if knit in cotton or lighter worsted at 4.5 stitches per inch, and to 9” if knit in heavier worsted or aran-weighted yarn at 4 st/in, suitable for afghans and exchanges.

Tutorial photos on smock stitch (adapted from Walker’s Stitch dictionary)

Complete descriptive of method of finishing with a crochet hook, although if you don’t want to do that, suggest simply binding off with seed stitch as is.

33 stitches on cast-on.

Thank you to testers rebby and shan541!

Error note: Corrected May 16:

Decrease row (RS): Sl 1 k/w, p1, k1, p1, (k2 tog, p2 tog, k2tog, p1, kfpb) x 4 instead of ‘x 5’
Thank you, MrsJayHawk