Abstract: An agitator for a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine has an upper, auger portion which is rotatable in one direction about the vertical axis. A lower portion of the agitator oscillates in two directions. The lower portion has a skirt and carries radially-extending vanes on an upper surface thereof. A plurality of crescent-shaped, lobe-like lifting cams project outwardly and upwardly from a periphery of the skirt. Fabric articles contacted by the cam surfaces as the lower portion of the agitator oscillates to and fro during clothes washing are continuously lifted at the lower, outer portion of the wash basket and urged along a desired toroidal rollover path. The effective, high density washing action provided permits use of less hot water, rinse water, and detergent than in previously known agitation devices, and allows use of a small machine container for normal wash loads.