Double Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

Free Double Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

When learning how to crochet a dishcloth, it’s a good idea to start with a pattern that uses simple stitches. This Double Crochet Dishcloth pattern consists of the basic double crochet stitch, making it a perfect free crochet dishcloth pattern for beginners.

You can make this pattern using one solid color, which if you are learning how to make a dishcloth, is recommended.

Or, if don’t mind weaving in more ends, you can easily make this pattern with multiple colors for a stunning striped dishcloth.

You can also use ombre yarn, which is a skein of yarn that changes colors gradually so you can include multiple colors without having to weave in any extra ends!

The pattern is very quick to make – you can crochet this dishcloth in 30 – 45 minutes and it uses just a small amount of yarn (approx 50 yds). Making it a great “quick-make” project or a useful “scrap-busting” pattern.

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How to Make a Double Crochet Stitch

To make this pattern, you will need to know how to make a slip knot, starting chains, single crochet stitches and of course double crochet stitches.

To make a double crochet stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook (which is also called “yarn over”) and insert your hook into the indicated chain or stitch. Pull a loop through the chain or stitch (you will have 3 loops on your hook). Wrap the yarn over your hook (yarn over) again. Pull the yarn you just wrapped over your hook through the first two loops of your hook (you will now have 2 loops on your hook). Wrap the yarn over your hook (yarn over) one more time. Pull the yarn through the two remaining loops on your hook.

Here are step by step pictures illustrating how to make a double crochet stitch.

How to Make a Double Crochet Dishcloth

So now you know all the techniques used in this pattern, let’s talk about how to make this double crochet dishcloth.

Select your Yarn Type

First, you want to ensure you are using the best yarn for your crochet dishcloth. Because the dishcloth should be durable and washable, I recommend 100% cotton yarn for making crochet dishcloths. Cotton yarn is absorbent and will hold the water. It also won’t break apart when the bottom of the dirty pot needs some heavy duty scrubbing!

There are lots of cotton blends of yarn out there such an a cotton-acrylic blend. But the moment you add that softness that comes from acrylic yarn, the cotton loses it’s heavy-duty feature. Therefore, I recommend sticking with 100% cotton yarn for dishcloths and avoiding any type of mixture or blended yarn.

Select your Yarn Weight

When it comes to choosing the right 100% cotton yarn for your dishcloth, you’ll want to look at the yarn weight. There are five sizes of yarn ranging from 1 being the smallest/lightest to 5 being the biggest/chunkiest. You can read more about Yarn Weights here.

For a crochet dishcloth, I recommend a size 4 (medium) weight yarn. This will ensure your yarn is strong enough to help you wash those dishes. I’ve used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn, which size 4 (medium) and is 100% cotton. It’s also washable and dryable, a must in my opinion for a dishcloth!

Decide the Size of your Crochet Dishcloth

Unlike brand-name dishcloths that are the size they are, you can customize your crochet dishcloth to be any size you’d like. Most patterns, like the one below, include instructions for how to adjust the width and height of the dishcloth.

Most dishcloth patterns range from 7″ x 7″ – 10″ x 10″. I have found that the best size for a crochet dishcloth is around 8″ x 8″. The double crochet dishcloth pattern below creates a dishcloth that is approximately 8.5″ x 8.5″. But if yours is a little smaller or a little larger, it’s absolutely okay.

Follow the Pattern

With your yarn picked out and your size decided, you are now all set to begin the pattern. As explained below, the pattern consists of making double crochet stitches, followed by a border of single crochet stitches and then a round of double crochet stitches to complete the dishcloth. Also included are instructions on how to adjust the size and how to change colors. Let’s get started!

Double Crochet Dishcloth Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy – Beginner Friendly 

Size

The pattern creates a dishcloth that is approx. 8.5” x 8.5”

Gauge

4” x 4” = 12 dc sts and 7 rows. Gauge is only important if you want the dishcloth to be the same size as mine. Want to learn more about gauge? Read my Guide to Gauge.

Materials

Yarn: Approx. 50 yds of any size 4 (medium) cotton yarn. I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn, which is 100% cotton. The colors used in the main photos are “Country Red” and “Overcast.” 

Crochet Hook: G/6 (4.25mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 

Other Materials: yarn needle, scissors. 

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 
sl st = slip stitch 
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet 

Pattern Notes

• The pattern is worked from the bottom up.
• Always work into the 1st st (the st attached to the chain).
• Chains never count as stitches. 

How to Adjust the Size

You can adjust the width of the dishcloth by making less or more starting chains. You will be crocheting in the 3rd chain from the hook so add 2 to the number of stitches you would like across. (For example, the pattern has 20 stitches across and begins with 22 starting chains). To adjust the height, make fewer or more rows. 

Changing Colors

The pattern does not include directions for where to change colors because there are so many possibilities. You can make the dishcloth in one solid color or use any number of colors.

Change colors after finishing a row by placing the new color on your hook and pulling the new color through the loop of your current color. Fasten off the old color. With your new color, ch 1 and begin the next row. 

To Make the Dishcloth Striped

To make the dishcloth stripped like in the image above, use color A (I used grey) for the Chain Row and Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 and color B (I used red) for Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & the border.

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Double Crochet Dishcloth Pattern Instructions

Chain/Foundation Row: Ch 22.

Row 1: In the 3rd ch from hook, dc. Dc in each ch across (20 sts).

Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st across (20 sts).

Rows 3 – 11: Repeat Row 2. 

After Row 11, do not turn. Do not fasten off.

Border

Border Round 1: (Ensure you have not turned.) Ch 1. Working down the side, *make 1 sc into the side of the dc at the end of the row. The following row has a turning ch at the end of the row. Make 1 sc into the side of the turning ch near the top and 1 sc near the bottom.* Repeat from * to * all the way down. Note that the exact number of stitches down/up the sides does not matter, you just want them to be even. 

At the bottom (1st) corner, make 3 sc into the corner st. Sc across the bottom. At the next (2nd) corner, make 3 sc into the corner st. Sc up the side: make 1 sc into the 1st turning ch after the 2nd corner. *Make 1 sc into the side of the end dc st. Working into the side of the turning ch, make 1 sc near the bottom and 1 sc in near the top.* Repeat from * to * up the side. At the next (3rd) corner, make 3 sc into the corner st. Sc across the top. At the last (4th) corner, make 3 sc into the corner st. When back where you started, sl st into 1st sc to join. 

Border Round 2: Ch 2. Do not turn. Dc in each st around, making 5 dc stitches in each corner st. When back where you started, sl st into top of 1st dc to join.

Fasten off and weave in all loose ends. 

And now you have a new dishcloth!

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