Easy Crunch Stitch Washcloth – Free Crochet Pattern

Easy Crochet Washcloth

Create a wonderfully textured and functional washcloth with this easy-to-follow crochet pattern featuring the delightful crunch stitch. Perfect for beginners or seasoned crocheters looking for a quick and satisfying project, this washcloth adds a touch of handmade charm to your daily routine.

If you’ve never done the crunch stitch before, it’s very easy and involves alternating between two simple stitches – a half double crochet stitch and a slip stitch. The result from these two basic stitches is a stunning texture.

I’ve chosen to add a moss stitch border around the washcloth, which subtly compliments the body. The pattern includes two sizes – small, which is great for a facecloth and large, which is perfect for a body cloth. You could also make this pattern as a dishcloth in either size.

This Crunch Stitch Crochet Washcloth Pattern is not only practical but also makes a lovely handmade gift for friends and family. Experiment with different colors to match your bathroom decor or create a coordinated set. Enjoy the process of creating something beautiful and functional with your own two hands!

You can use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down.

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

There are two sizes: 

• Small: creates a washcloth that is approx.  7” x 7” with the border (5” x 5” without)
• Large: creates a washcloth that is approx. 10” x 10” with the border (8” x 8” without). 

Materials

Yarn: Any size 4 (medium), 100% cotton yarn. You will need approx. 50 yds for each small washcloth and 100 yds for each large washcloth. 

I used Sugar’n Cream in the colors “Dazzle Blue,” “Teal” and “Black Currant.” This yarn is size 4 and 100% cotton. A skein is 120 yds / 109 m and 2.5 oz / 70.9 g.

Crochet Hook Size: H/8 (5.00 mm). 

Other Materials: Yarn needle, a stitch marker, scissors and a measuring tape. 

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches 
• sk = skip 
• sl st = slip stitch 
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet 
• ch-1 sp = chain one space
• ch-2 sp = chain two space

Gauge

4” x 4” = 13 sts and 14 rows following the pattern and counting both hdc and sl sts (not chains). To make a gauge swatch, follow the instructions for the small size washcloth. 

Pattern Notes

• Always work into the first stitch (the stitch attached to the chain). 
• Chains never count as stitches. 
• When instructed to slip stitch very loosely, make it as loose as possible as you will work into it on the following row. 
• This pattern is made from the chain row up. The number of starting chains determines the width and the number of rows determines the height. To adjust the width, make fewer or more starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (an odd number of starting chains). To adjust the height, make fewer or more rows. 

Pattern Instructions

Washcloth Body

Start – Small Size: Chain 19.

Start – Large Size: Chain 27.

The rest of the Washcloth Body has the same instructions for both sizes. The only difference is the total number of stitches in each row. 

For Row 1 (only) work into the back ridge loops. 

Row 1: In the second chain from hook, sl st very loosely. In the next ch, hdc. *In the next ch, sl st very loosely. In the next ch, hdc.* Repeat from * to * across. (Your final stitch is a hdc in the last ch).  (Stitch count: Small: 18. Large: 26).

From this point on, you will always sl st into the top of a hdc from the previous row and hdc into the top of a sl st from the previous row. 

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st (the st attached to the ch and the top of the last hdc completed from the previous row), sl st very loosely. In the next st (the top of the sl st from the previous row), hdc. *In the next st, sl st very loosely. In the next st, hdc.* Repeat from * to * across. (Your final stitch is a hdc in the last st). (Stitch count: Small: 18. Large: 26. Reminder: chains never counts as sts).

Row 3 and on: Repeat Row 2 until the height of your work matches your width. 

For reference, for the Small size, my work measured approx. 5” x 5” after 18 rows (in total). For the Large size, my work measured approx. 8” x 8” after 28 rows (in total). 

Note that measurements do not need to be exact or match mine and you can make fewer or more rows to reach your desired height. 

You can end after any row. After reaching your desired height, do not fasten off. Begin border. 

Washcloth Moss Stitch Border – All Sizes

Border Rounds 1 – 4 are the same for both sizes. 

Border Round 1: Ch 1. Do not turn.

• SIDE (DOWN): Sc evenly down the side, making 1 sc into the stitches (not spaces) at the end of each row. 
• CORNER: Make 3 sc in the last stitch down the side (1st corner made).  
• BOTTOM: Sc in each ch across the bottom until the last ch. 
• CORNER: In the last ch, make 3 sc in the same ch (2nd corner made).
• SIDE (UP): Sc evenly up the side, making 1 sc into the stitches (not spaces) at the end of each row. 
• CORNER: In the first st along the top, make 3 sc in the same st (3rd corner made). 
• TOP: Sc in each st along the top. 

You do not make a 4th corner. When back at the first sc made in this round, sl st into the top of the first sc to join. 

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Border Round 2: Ch 1. Do not turn. Sc in the same st as your sl st. Place a stitch marker in the top of the sc just made. Ch 2. Sc in the same stitch. (1st corner made. Note: every time you ch 2, you are creating a ch-2 sp that you will work into on the following round). 

[SIDES: *Ch 1. Sk the next st. In the next st, sc.* Repeat from * to * until you reach the next corner st. (The corner st is the middle of the three sc made in the previous round). 

Note: every time you ch 1 and sk a st, you are creating a ch-1 sp that you will work into on the following round. 

In this round (only), as you approach the corner st, depending on your number of stitches and where you are in the repeat, you may have a sc in the st before the corner st OR you may be skipping the stitch the st before the corner st. Either is fine.

CORNER: Ch 1 (if you are mid-way through the repeat and have already chained one, don’t chain another. Only have one chain stitch made before the corner). In the corner st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same st.]

Complete the instructions from [ to ] a total of 3 times. 

TOP: *Ch 1. Sk the next st. In the next st, sc.* Repeat from * to * until you reach the first sc made (the st with the stitch marker). You may have a sc in the st before the first st OR you may be skipping the stitch the st before the first st. Either is fine.

Sl st into the top of first sc to join.  

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From now on, you will only be working into ch-1 and ch-2 spaces (not the tops of sts) except when joining the round). 

Border Round 3: Ch 1. Do not turn. Sc in the ch-2 sp (the 1st corner). Place a stitch marker in the top of that sc. Ch 2. Sc in the same ch-2 sp. 

[SIDE: *Ch 1. Sc in the next ch-1 sp.* Repeat from * to * until the next corner / ch-2 sp. 

CORNER: At the corner / ch-2 sp, ch 1. In the ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same sp.]

Complete instructions from [ to ] a total of 3 times. 

TOP: *Ch 1. Sc in the next ch-1 sp.* Repeat until next back at the first sc made. Sl st into the top of the first sc to join.

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Border Round 4: Repeat Round 3. 

For the Small Size, after Round 4, fasten off and weave in all loose ends.*

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Border Round 4 (Large Size Only): Repeat Round 3.

After Round 4, fasten off and weave in loose ends.* 

*To increase the size of the border, continue repeating Round 3 until your desired size. 

And now you have a new washcloth! 

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