Moss Stitch Dishcloth – Free Crochet Pattern

Moss Stitch Dishcloth

The Moss Stitch is one of my favorite crochet stitches. I’ve used the Moss Stitch to make a baby blanket, a tote bag, baskets and in many other patterns.

I’m excited to add a dishcloth to my collection of Moss Stitch patterns. This stitch is great for washcloths as it’s very durable and won’t fall apart after a lot of scrubbing.

Plus, this pattern has a lovely textured border that can be used for targeting any stubborn stains.

You can make this dishcloth for your own home or make a set as a wonderful gift.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of this pattern or keep scrolling down for all the details and the written instructions. 

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Pattern Details (Size, Yarn, Hook & Notes) 

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a dishcloth that is approx. 9” x 9”.

Materials

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

I used Lily Sugar ’n Cream Solid yarn in the colors “Dazzle Blue,” “Teal” and “Hot Purple.” This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% cotton. A skein is 120 yds / 109 m and 2.5 oz / 70.9 g. I used less than one skein for each dishcloth.

Crochet Hook Size: H/8 (5.00 mm).

Other Materials: Yarn needle, 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
• sp = space
• ch-1 sp = chain one space
• ch-2 sp = chain two space

Gauge

4” x 4” = 8 sc sts and 15 rows following the pattern (only count sc sts, not chains or spaces). 

Pattern Notes

• This pattern is made from the bottom up. To adjust the width, make less or more starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (an odd number). 
• Chains never count as stitches. 

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How to Crochet the Moss Stitch Dishcloth – Pattern Instructions

Dishcloth Body

Start: Chain 27. 

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

Row 1: In the second ch from hook, sl st VERY loosely.  Sl st VERY loosely in each ch across. (26 sts). 

Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Sk the first st (the st attached to the ch). In the next st, sc. *Ch 1. Sk the next st. In the next st, sc.* Repeat from * to * across. (26 sts. Reminder: chains never count as sts.).

Every time you chained 1 or 2 in Row 2, you created a ch-1 or ch-2 sp that you will work into on the next row. 

Row 3: Ch 2 and turn. In the first ch-1 sp, sc. *Ch 1. In the next ch-1 sp, sc.* Repeat from * to * across until the last (ch-2) sp. In the ch-2 sp, sc. (13 sc sts). 

Row 4 and on: Repeat Row 3 until the height of your work matches the width (for me, that was 6.5” wide and 6.5” high, which was 24 rows). You can end after any number row. After reaching your height, do not fasten off. Begin the border. 

Dishcloth Border

Round 1: Ch 1 and turn. 

• TOP: In the first ch-1 sp, make 3 sc in the same sp. Make 1 sc in the next ch-1 sp. *Make 2 in the next ch-1 sp. Make 1 in the next ch-1 sp.* Repeat from * to * across until the last (ch-2) sp. In the ch-2 sp, make 3 sc in the same sp.
• SIDE (DOWN): Sc evenly down working into sts at the end of rows, not spaces (note: the exact amount of sts doesn’t matter, just ensure they are evenly spaced out).
• BOTTOM: In the first ch, make 3 sc in the same ch. *Sc in the next 2 chains. Sk the next ch.* Repeat from * to * across until there is 1 ch left (after your last skipped ch, if necessary, sc in any remaining sts). In the last ch, make 3 sc in the same ch. 
• SIDE (UP): Sc evenly up working into sts at the end of rows, not spaces (same as the other side). 

Sl st into the first sc made in the round to join. 

Round 2: Ch 1 and turn. Do not work into the st attached to the ch (which is the sl st from the previous round). The first stitch of the round is the top of the last sc from the previous round. In the first st, sl st VERY loosely. In the next st, hdc. 

[*In the next st, sl st VERY loosely. In the next st, hdc.* Repeat from * to * until the corner st (the corner st is the top of the middle sc of the 3 sc sts made in the corner in the previous round).

At the corner st, (sl st VERY loosely, hdc, sl st VERY loosely) in the same st. Note: if your last st before the corner is a sl st, make a hdc st in the same st. In the next st (the st after the corner st), hdc.]

Repeat the instructions from [ to ] around.  Sl st into the first sl st made in the round to join.

Round 3: Ch 1 and turn. Do not work into the st attached to the ch (which is the sl st from the previous round). The first stitch of the round is the top of the last hdc from the previous round. In the first st, sl st VERY loosely. In the next st, hdc. 

[*In the next st, sl st VERY loosely. In the next st, hdc.* Repeat from * to * until the corner st (the corner st is the top of the middle hdc st of the 3 sts made in the corner in the previous round).

At the corner, (sl st VERY loosely, hdc, sl st VERY loosely) in the same st. In the next st (the st after the corner st), hdc.]

Repeat the instructions from [ to ] around. Sl st into the first sl st made in the round to join.

Round 4: Repeat Round 3. 

Fasten off and weave in loose ends. 

And now you have a new dishcloth!

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