Posting My First Crochet Pattern – Easy Cotton Washcloth Pattern

As the weather turns warmer I don’t want to crochet heavy wool scarves and winter accessories.  Besides, spring and summer mean traveling for me, and a quick project that can be easily transported (pulled out of a purse, for example) is exactly what I want.  Besides, cotton washcloths are wonderful to crochet.  I love the feel of cotton between my fingers.  They make such lovely gifts — housewarming, birthdays, hostess, wedding and baby showers.

There are so many washcloths patterns out there.  Mine is really just a modification of all those that have come before.  I really like my pattern because I only have to count the first row (foundation chain), and then it is pure “meditation crochet.”

This is my first pattern I’ve gone public with, so there may be bits of confusion — something I’ve left out/not explained well (just let me know).  But it is such an easy pattern.

Materials:

• Worsted Weight Cotton  — 50 to 100 yards (depending on size of the washcloth you want)
  • Cloths pictured use Bernats Handcrafter Cotton
  • Lily Sugar & Cream – you can get two washcloths from one 2.5oz (120 yard) ball
  • and Premier Home Cotton (Premier is a cotton blend – 85% cotton, 15% acrylic and I find it is better for larger cloths because it holds its shape better when wet, but is slightly thinner than the other two brands).
• Hook Size — I use 5mm  for Premier Home Cotton;  A 5.5mm for the thicker Bernats and Sugar & Cream
• Scissors and Yarn Needle to weave in ends

Gauge is not important for this project.

Stitches

• CH – Chain
• ST – Stitch
• SC – Single Crochet
• DC – Double Crochet

Pattern for approximately 8×8 inch washcloth (mine measure 7.75 inches square)

• Foundation – CH 25 loosely
  • To increase the size of your cloth, increase in multiples of 2 and then add 1 (e.g., 25, 27, 29, etc.). Each pair of stitches increases the row size by approximately 1/3 inch.
  • I find adding one CH to the foundation gives me a sharper/matching corner on my cloths.
• Row 1: Work through the back “bump” loop, you will get a nice edge on your cloth (for a tutorial on how to do this, see HERE.DC in third back loop, *SC in next back loop ST, DC next back loop ST,* repeat  * until end of row ending with a DC
  • At the end of row one, I pull up the tail from the start of foundation chain and pull it through the last DC of row 1.  I then crochet over it in row 2 & 3.  This saves time weaving in ends 🙂
• Row 2: CH 1, Turn; DC in next ST (both loops now, regular crochet),
  • *SC in next ST, DC in next ST* repeat * until end of row ending with a DC
• Row 3+: Repeat Row 2 until you’ve reached the desired size of your cloth.
  • Fasten off leaving 6 inch (or more) tail.  Weave in tail across two rows in two directions.

You always end the row with a double crochet, CH 1 & turn. No counting (yay!) — which makes this the easiest pattern to follow while traveling or watching hockey/football  🙂  SC are always on top of DC and vice-versa. The result is a nice “fluff” stitch that gives a lovely soft texture and pattern.  I do not edge the washcloths as I like them just as they are.

Crocheting in the first tail and not edging saves time per each cloth.  Each 8×8″ washcloth takes me about 40 minutes (from start of first stitch to last tail woven).  Time is important, especially if you want to sell your product (which I do).  The more time I put into an item, the more expensive it is. Many people love the luxurious feel of a cotton cloth, but don’t want to necessarily pay a lot for one.

Wash your cotton washcloths in icy cold water to set the color and block the edges & corners if necessary.  Tie a pretty ribbon around them and they are ready for gifting.

So that is my first public pattern.  There are many similar (such as this one) and much more fancier patterns out there, find one that works for you and crochet away.  Remember, you can always purchase them from me if you run out of time–Curious Purple Pig on Etsy.

Happy Crocheting 🙂