This dishcloth/washcloth is based on Elise Duvekot’s column stitch, from her book Knit One Below. This stitch makes a neat stockinette appearance on the right side, with vertical stripes of opposite colors. The wrong side is attractive in its own way.

It may seem an odd choice to you to use #2 needles for worsted weight cotton, but the column stitch is a naturally loose, and I like to have my dishcloths a reasonably firm gauge so they don’t develop snags and pulls. If working with #2’s is too awkward for you, by all means go up a size or two.