This free knitting pattern for a reusable knit cotton face scrubby is a great way to reduce waste instead of using one-use cotton pads. I was inspired to design this pattern by Earth Day and out of a need I had in my own skincare routine!
I was so tired of using toilet paper, tissues and one use cotton pads to take off make-up, remove nail polish, and apply toner. Not only was it a waste to use so many one-use products, but they didn’t work very well!

When cotton knit face scrubby patterns started cropping up last year, I thought wow that is such a great idea, but something was wrong….nearly all of the ones I saw were crochet!! There’s nothing wrong with crochet, but I cannot crochet more than a chain so making a round face scrubby was out of the question.
So I grabbed some cotton DK from my stash and got started! I knew I wanted to design a knit face scrubby that was pretty enough to leave stacked on the counter and also functional. So I sat down and designed Reusable Cotton Face Scrubbies 4 Ways!
The pattern includes instructions for
- The Classic style
- Mitered Square
- Striped Mitered Square
- And Bordered style

And today I’m so happy to bring you the pattern for the Classic style as a free knitting pattern on the blog in honour of Earth Day 2020!
Each square takes so little yarn, this is a perfect stash busting project to use up leftover bits of cotton, which adds to the sustainability of the design. I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK for my scrubbies in the colours Dolphin Blue, Duck Egg Blue, and Vanilla Cream.
If you plan on using your scrubbies as knit make-up remover pads or nail polish I would recommend a darker colour so it doesn’t show the stains as much.

Free Knitting Pattern: Classic Style Knit Face Scrubby
Inspired by the classic hand knit dishcloth, this classic style make-up pad is knit corner to corner with timeless eyelet details around the border.
Abbreviations
k: knit
k2tog: knit two sts together
yo: yarn over
st(s): stitch(es)
Pattern Instructions
Cast On 4 sts
Row 1: K all sts
Row 2: K all sts
Row 3: K2, yo, k to end
Repeat Row 3 until there are 18 sts.
Row 4: K1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k to end
Repeat Row 4 until there are 4 sts.
Row 5: K all sts
Row 6: K all sts
Bind off all sts.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block if desired.
And that’s it – this free knitting pattern so easy! I bet you already want to make more. Did I mention that these make great gifts? I sent some pictures to my mom and she said she wants some, so I’m planning to make her a set for Mother’s Day.

Don’t forget you can visit my Ravely store to get the full pdf knitting pattern that includes instructions for 4 Scrubby styles:
- The Classic style
- Mitered Square
- Striped Mitered Square
- And Bordered style
