This pattern makes a nubbly dishcloth, thicker and more stable than plain garter stitch.  Chinese Waves is one of my favorite pattern stitches.  I use it for edgings and for textured stripes interspersed with stockinette.  I like it so much, it's actually pictured in the left border throughout my web site.

Chinese Waves is based on garter stitch, so there's no purling and it doesn't curl up.  Use any worsted weight 100% cotton yarn, such as  Sugar 'n Cream and #7 needles. 

Cast on 45 stitches (Any odd number of stitches will do.) 

Row 1: Knit across (this is the right side) 
Row 2: *K1, Slip 1*  repeat between * across, ending K1. 
Row 3: Knit across 
Row 4: K2, *Slip 1, K1* repeat between * until 3 stitches remain, Slip 1, K2. 

Keep working in pattern until piece is square, finishing with a wrong side row.  Bind off in knitting on the right side. 

I usually slip the slipped stitches as if to purl.  But you can also slip as if to knit, which twists the stitch when you knit it on the next row, making a slightly tighter fabric.  I like both ways equally well. 

The yarn carried across the back of all the slipped stitches makes little curves across the dishcloth, which look like rows of little waves, hence the name "Chinese Waves."
 

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All text and images copyright © 1998, 2000, 2002, 2011 Margaret K.K. Radcliffe