In today’s blog post, we’re going to create a simple and practical dishcloth using cotton yarn from Joann’s craft store or Amazon if they are out. This free pattern can be a dishcloth, washcloth or hot pad. It all depends on how you want to use it. Skill level is beginner, best yarn is cotton, can make in less than 30 minutes and is a great handmade gift. Let’s get started!
There are several different ways you can use these cloths. You can make a crocheted dishcloth for washing dishes and kitchen use. Make easy crochet washcloths for washing your face. Or you can use it as a hot pad or coaster for protecting furniture and placing coffee, tea or that tuna casserole displayed in the middle of your kitchen table. No matter how you decide to use this item, it’s fast and fun to make.
Cotton yarn is the best choice because it can come in contact with hot items, unlike acrylic yarn. It’s also better to use on your skin because it’s a natural fiber. Skill level is beginner friendly and a great way to practice your double crochet stitches.
This easy crochet pattern is for a simple dish cloth, make with 100% cotton yarn found at Joann’s craft store. I’ll show you two different border options to finish off the edges too. You can easily make 3 cloths with one small skein of Sugar ‘n Cream yarn. Makes a perfect housewarming gift or holiday gift when you give them in sets of four. Tie a satin ribbon around the set and add a handmake gift tag. Plus this dish cloth could also be used as a wash cloth or hot pad.
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After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn To Crochet for Absolute Beginner’s. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
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Crochet Dishcloth Free Pattern
Materials Needed:
- Yarn: This project uses cotton yarn from Joann’s craft store. Try Lily Sugar ‘n Cream or any other medium 4 weight cotton yarn. Try K+C premium cotton light 3 weight yarn for borders.
- Crochet Hook: Recommend using 5.00 mm crochet hook.
- Scissors: For changing colors of yarn or when weaving in tails.
- Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends.
Pattern Overview:
- Foundation Chain: 25 chains (23 stitches + 2 for turning)
- Rows: 11 rows of double crochet
- Border Options: Half double crochet border or single crochet slip stitch border
Stitch Knowledge:
- Single crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
- Double crochet – Yarn over and insert the hook into stitch. Yarn over and draw yarn through, pulling up a loop. Yarn over and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull yarn through the last two loops on the hook.
- Half double crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, and pull yarn through all three loops on hook.
- Slip stitch – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch and loop on hook. You should have one loop left on hook when done.
This free crochet dishcloth pattern uses basic crochet stitches: single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet. The stitch pattern is below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Make a slip knot and chain 25 single crochet stitches to form your foundation chain/row.
Row 1: Turn work, double crochet into the 3rd ch from the hook. Double crochet in each chain across (23 total). Chain 2, turn your work.
Rows 2-11: Double crochet in the first stitch of the new row and each stitch until you reach the end of the row. (23 stitches). Repeat row until you have completed 11 rows total. Tie off or continue to adding border.
Adding the Border:
Add some charm to your dish cloth and add a different color border. If you change colors, do so on the last stitch.
Option 1: Half Double Crochet Border
- Start in a corner: After completing your last double crochet row, chain 2 and half double crochet (hdc) in the same stitch.
- Work along the edges:
- Half double crochet and chain one, repeat this evenly along the first edge.
- In each corner, add an extra stitch of one half double crochet and chain one to turn the corner.
- Continue around:
- Work along all four edges, making sure to put 2 half double crochets plus their chain ones in each corner.
- Join: When you reach the last stitch (starting point), slip stitch to the first half double crochet.
- Finish: Fasten off and weave in the ends with yarn needle.
Option 2: Single Crochet Slip Stitch Border
- Start in a corner: After completing your last double crochet row, chain 1 and single crochet (sc) in the same stitch.
- Work along the edges:
- Single crochet evenly along the first edge.
- In each corner, make 3 single crochets to turn the corner.
- Continue around:
- Work along all four edges, making sure to put 3 single crochets in each corner.
- Slip stitch: When you reach the starting point, slip stitch to the first single crochet.
- Finish: Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Cotton Yarn Please
Use cotton yarn and avoid acrylic yarn for this project. Cotton is best because it’s suited for hot water, it’s natural and can be used as a wash cloth for your face or even a hot pad for cooking/baking. Acrylic yarn isn’t meant to be near heat, it can scorch and melt due to the plastic in acrylic yarn.
I make things with the best product I can get for the best price. Shopping directly at the craft store, like Joann’s, is always preferred. Just pop in, grab your items and start crocheting when you get home. Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn is rough, but it’s why this is perfect for dishcloths. If you buy the white, it’s super soft and a joy to work with. Use Amazon if you can’t find the colors you want at Joann’s.
Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton Yarn (Med 4)- Soft Ecru, Beach Glass, Seabreeze and White.
K+C Premium Cotton Yarn (Light 3) – Golden Coast
Shop My Samples
Let me tell you the specific yarn for each cloth in the photo above, from left to right. Please note that I purchased all of the yarn in person at Joann but not recently. If you cannot find the colors in the store, you can order on Amazon for quicker shipping. Joann online orders may take longer to receive.
- Sugar ‘n Cream Soft Ecru and K+C Golden Coast for the half double crochet border.
- Sugar ‘n Cream Soft Ecru and Sugar ‘n Cream Beach Glass for the half double crochet border.
- Sugar ‘n Cream White for body and half double crochet border. This white was softer than the colored yarns from this brand. Maybe that’s due to the absence of a dye but only a guess.
- Sugar ‘n Cream Seabreeze for body and single crochet slip stitch border.
Cotton is tough to crochet when it’s stiff from dyes or quality. To help make crocheting more enjoyable, use a larger crochet hook. I used a 5.00 MM crochet hook for the entire project regardless of which yarn I was using. Relax your stitch tension a little bit and it will be much easier to get your hook through the stitches.
Washing Instructions
For the first wash, if using yarn with bright color dye’s, consider washing with cold water on gentle cycle with those color catcher sheet from Shout. If any of the yarn colors bleed or run in the wash, the sheets will catch it and save your crochet or quilting project. Hang on line to dry, cotton will defiantly shrink in the dryer. If you don’t care about shrinkage, wash and dry with your normal wash.
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ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. Long time crocheter and weekend quilter with a super small sewing space. Taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.
And there you have it! Your very own handmade dishcloth, washcloth or hot pad. I hope you enjoyed free pattern and tutorial. These would make great gifts and work up fast. And it’s a great way for beginners to practice and perfect double crochet stitches. Whether you choose the half double crochet or single crochet slip stitch border, your dish cloth will have a nice, polished finish using the most basic stitches.
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Sew, quilt, crochet and repeat!
Dawn
This makes me so happy. I love love LOVE to crochet. Thank you!
Penny
I have tried making a crocheted dish cloth 9 billion times & failed miserably! Your’s looks like I might actually have one turn out!
sewnikki
Hahaha, you got this. Super easy pattern.
Dusty
I will have to share this post with my daughter, who loves to crochet! 🙂 Unfortunately, I don’t have the patience. lol
Sylvia Wells
I’d love to try this pattern. I’ve knitted dishcloths before but they’ve taken me much longer than 30 mins. I’d love if it did only take me only that long!