Why a Hand Knitted Linen Cloth Belongs in Every Considered Bathroom

Ellie Ramsay
2 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

There is something quietly powerful about the objects we reach for every morning. The cloth by the basin. The ritual of washing your face before the day begins. The small, handmade things that make a routine feel intentional. Ellie's hand knitted linen cloths are those things — and if you haven't yet made the switch from synthetic face wipes and fast-fashion washcloths, this is the post that will change your mind.

What Makes Linen So Good for Skin?

Linen has been used for centuries, and its relevance to skincare is no coincidence. Spun from the flax plant, it is one of the most sustainable natural fibres available — and one of the most effective for the bathroom.

Flax thread ready for spinning into yarn

The knitted texture of this cloth creates a gentle, natural exfoliating surface. Unlike synthetic face wipes or smooth cotton pads, linen lifts away dead skin cells and impurities without needing a separate scrub. It is the kind of exfoliation that leaves skin feeling clean and bright, not stripped or irritated. Used daily, it supports healthy skin turnover in the most low-fuss way possible.

And here is the part that makes linen genuinely worth investing in: it gets better with every wash. Softer, more pliable, and more absorbent over time. This is a face washer that rewards you for using it.

Meet the Navy or Green Linen Cloth

The Blake & Taylor green or navy hand knitted linen cloth is made by Ellie, entirely by hand, one stitch at a time.

The knitted construction gives the cloth its signature texture: that gently raised surface that makes it genuinely functional as a face and body washer. It is the kind of thing you notice the first time you use it. Each cloth is a one-of-a-kind piece. No factory run, no mass production.

Just Ellie, good linen yarn, and time.

How to Style It in Your Bathroom

One of the quiet pleasures of a linen cloth is how naturally it sits in a styled bathroom. A few ways to make the most of it:

Hang it over a towel rail. The crisp green against a matte black rail is a combination that feels effortlessly considered. Let it drape loosely for an unfussy, lived-in look.

Pair it with natural stone and timber. The Australian interior palette is moving toward sandy travertine, warm lime washed walls, and raw timber shelving. A navy linen cloth anchors this palette with depth and a pop of colour that never feels cold. The crisp green cloth adds to the fresh, natural palette.

Layer it with other natural textures. A navy cloth beside a terracotta soap dish, a cream linen hand towel, or a simple bamboo tray creates exactly the kind of quiet, artisan bathroom moment that photographs beautifully and feels even better in person.

Keep it visible. Fold it loosely on the vanity or drape it over the basin. Part of the appeal is the reminder that your bathroom routine can be functional and beautiful at the same time.

Caring for Your Linen Cloth

A hand knitted linen cloth is a lasting investment. A little care goes a long way.

Wash in cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can cause linen fibres to contract, so keep the temperature low. A gentle machine cycle works well.

Skip the fabric softener. Softeners coat linen fibres and reduce their natural breathability and exfoliating texture. Instead, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse — it naturally softens the cloth and removes any soap residue.

Lay flat to dry. Because this cloth is knitted rather than woven, drying it flat preserves its shape. Hanging it wet can cause it to stretch over time.

Set the colour on the first wash. Add a small amount of salt to the first cool wash to help the dye set and keep the colour looking rich for longer.

With the right care, a linen cloth will last for years. That is the whole point. One beautiful, handmade thing that lasts is always a better choice than a drawer full of disposable alternatives.

The Slow Beauty Approach

There is a growing movement in Australian bathrooms toward intentional living — the idea that the products and objects we use on our skin should be chosen carefully, made well, and used often. Handmade linen fits this ethos exactly.

When you choose a Blake & Taylor linen cloth, you are choosing something made by a real person, with skill and care, using a natural material that genuinely does its job. That story does not come with anything you pick up at a supermarket or a beauty chain.

It is a small shift with a real impact — on your skin, on your bathroom, and on the kind of maker economy you want to support.