How to Crochet a Washcloth, Easy Textured Pattern

Learning how to crochet a washcloth is an amazing way to learn and test new crochet stitches. Don’t let your crochet swatches go to waste – make them into a washcloth. This free crochet washcloth pattern uses the Suzette stitch, a beginner-friendly textured pattern. This tutorial includes adding a hanging hook to make it all one color or adding the stripes shown.

Free Crochet Washcloth Pattern and Tutorial

Crochet washcloths make great gifts and don’t take long to make. Crochet a few and tie a bow around them for a beautiful housewarming gift. I was excited to make these as I was crocheting a poncho last week, and it was so satisfying to crochet something that could be finished in under an hour.

Other Uses of Crochet Washcloths

You can use these to remove makeup or as dishcloths in the kitchen. There are so many ways to use these. Put them under a small potplant for a dash of color in the house. Don’t forget these as a new baby gift. They could be used as a gentle washcloth or even a burp cloth.

What Skill Level Do I Need?

This basic washcloth pattern is really easy if you know your basic crochet stitch patterns. It uses single crochet stitches, the half double crochet stitch, and the double crochet stitch. Basically, these are simple squares, so anyone with any level of crochet can make them.

What is the Sizing of Crochet Washcloths

With 30 chains, your size will be approximately 8 inches square (20cm) after blocking. You can add more or fewer chains to adjust the size or even use a lighter or heavier weight of yarn. Just make sure you start with an even number of chains.

Gauge is not important for crochet washcloths, so you don’t need to do a test swatch.

Supplies to Crochet a Washcloth

Before you start, rummage through your crochet yarns and supplies. You will need:

• Yarn: Worsted (10ply, category 4) cotton yarn. I used approximately 60m/66y so you should get 2 crochet washcloths from a skein.
• Crochet hook: 5 mm crochet hook (H-8)
• Tapestry needle: or yarn needles for weaving ends.
• Scissors

What Yarn Did I Use?

I used Painbox Cotton Aran yarn. It comes in so many beautiful colors and is one of my favorite cotton yarns. The colors used were Grass Green, Washed Teal and Banana Cream.

Other suggested cotton yarns include

• Lionbrand 24/7
• Paintbox Cotton Aran
• Lionbrand Pima Cotton
• Lily Sugar n Cream

Abbreviations Used in the Pattern

Pattern written in US terms.

• sc =single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet stitch
• ch = chain stitch
• st/sts =stitch/ stitches
• YO = yarn over.

This pattern uses the Suzette stitch so click on this link if you would like more information on this stitch.

Notes

The chain 1 at the beginning of the rows does not count as a stitch. This means your first crochet stitch will be at the base of the chain 1.

How to Crochet a Washcloth, Step by Step Instructions

You can make this crochet washcloth pattern in one color or add the stripes like below. If you are adding stripes, you will need 3 colors of yarn. Here is how to start this easy crochet washcloth pattern.

Row 1 – Color A

1. Chain 30. (or any even number)
2. Sc into the second ch from the hook, sc across the row. (29 stitches)
3. Ch1, turn. This turning ch is not counted as a stitch.

Row 2

1. Hdc into first sc.
2. Then *sk 1 st, work 1 sc and 1 dc, both into the next st.
3. Repeat from * across the row to last 2 stitches.
4. Sk1, hdc into the last st. (29 stitches)
5. Ch1, turn.

Row 3

1. Hdc into the first st,
2. *sk1, 1sc, and 1 dc into the next st. (You will be crocheting into the sc stitches from the row below.)
3. Repeat from * across the row, finishing with an hdc into the last st.
4. Ch1, turn.

Row 4 -6

1. Repeat row 3.

Row 7-8 – Color B

1. Change to color B
2. Repeat row 3.

Row 9-10 – Color C

1. Change to color C
2. Repeat row 3.

Row 11-12 – Color B

1. Change to color B
2. Repeat row 3.

Rows 13-24

1. Change to color A.
2. Repeat row 3.
3. For the very last row of your project, work sc across the entire row.

Finishing

1. OPTIONAL – Sc around the edge with 3sc into each corner. Sl st to join. I chose not to do a border as I wanted the stripes to go to the ends.
2. OPTIONAL LOOP – At the corner, chain 8 (or longer if you wish), join to base with a slip stitch.  
3. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
4. To make your dishcloth or washcloth look its best, you will need to block. This shapes and smoothes uneven stitches. Read about blocking crochet.

More Washcloth Crochet Patterns

Crocheting washcloths is satisfying, as they are quick and easy and don’t use much yarn. Here are a few free crochet patterns for you to try. These two are particularly textured, so they are great for scrubbing.