A crochet dishcloth is one of the best first projects you can make. It is small, it is flat, it uses cheap cotton yarn, and you can finish one in an evening. If you just learned single or double crochet, a dishcloth is the perfect place to practice until your stitches look even.
Below you will find 15 free dishcloth patterns from independent designers. They start with plain one-stitch squares and move up to fun textures, granny squares, a round scrubby and even a first try at mosaic-style stripes. Every pattern is free to read on the designer’s site.
Easy Crochet Dishcloth Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- 100% cotton worsted weight yarn (#4)
- Crochet hook set, 4 mm to 5.5 mm
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Small sharp scissors
- Locking stitch markers
- Measuring tape
1. All Squared Away Easy Crochet Dishcloth
Photo: Lauren Brown / Daisy Cottage Designs
This is about as simple as a dishcloth gets. You work rows of double crochet with chain-1 spaces, so the cloth grows fast and has a light, open look. There is an optional single crochet border to tidy the edges. It is a good first pattern if you can chain and double crochet and want something you can finish in one sitting.
- Designer: Lauren Brown / Daisy Cottage Designs
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton blend (#4), about 80 yards
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Easy Crochet Dishcloth (Written + Chart)
Photo: Kinga Erdem / My Hobby Is Crochet
A two-row repeat of single crochet and half double crochet gives this square a bumpy texture that scrubs well. The pattern comes with both written steps and a stitch chart, which is a nice way to start learning to read charts. It finishes at about 9 by 9 inches in DK cotton.
- Designer: Kinga Erdem / My Hobby Is Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK weight cotton (#3), about 50 g
- Hook: 4 mm (G/6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Cheery Crochet Dish Cloths
Photo: Carmen / Annie Design Crochet
Groups of three double crochets sit next to single crochets, which makes a soft, wavy texture. You can change color every two rows for bright stripes or keep it all one color. It is written in US terms and only uses chain, single and double crochet, so it is a gentle step up from a plain square.
- Designer: Carmen / Annie Design Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (aran) weight cotton (#4), 80–100 yards
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Nantucket Easy Double Crochet Dishcloth
Photo: Jessica Underwood / Stitching Together
Rows of plain double crochet with a single crochet border. That is the whole pattern, and that is why it is great. If you want to practice keeping your edges straight and your stitch count steady, make three or four of these. It is about 10 inches square and also works as a washcloth.
- Designer: Jessica Underwood / Stitching Together
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G/6)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Easy Textured Diagonal Dishcloth
Photo: Maria Weaber / Maria’s Blue Crayon
This one is worked corner to corner. You add stitches each row, then decrease back down, all in single crochet through the back loop. The back loop gives it ridges that grab grease. If you only know single crochet, this teaches you increases and decreases without any new stitches.
- Designer: Maria Weaber / Maria’s Blue Crayon
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Medium weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Simple Circles Cotton Scrubby Dishcloth
A small round cloth worked in just five rounds from a magic ring. It uses scrubby cotton yarn, so it has a little extra grip for pots. Try it in three colors or keep it to one. It is a quick way to practice working in the round and joining rounds neatly.
- Designer: Rhondda Mol / Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Medium weight scrubby cotton (#4)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Crochet Ripple Stitch Dishcloth
Photo: Amy Ramnarine / The Stitchin’ Mommy
Ripples look hard, but this one is only double crochet and double crochet decreases. The post includes a photo tutorial for the ripple stitch, and the cloth comes in two sizes. Stripes of two or three colors make the zigzag pop. Once you can do this, you can make a ripple blanket.
- Designer: Amy Ramnarine / The Stitchin’ Mommy
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: Size I
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Granny Square Dishcloth
Photo: Janne Kleivset / Joy of Motion Crochet
Four colorful granny squares are sewn together in a 2 by 2 block and finished with a crab stitch edge. It is a fun way to practice granny squares on a small scale before you try a whole blanket. It measures about 10 inches square.
- Designer: Janne Kleivset / Joy of Motion Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Medium weight cotton (#4), five colors
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Easy Primrose & Proper Dishcloth
Photo: Kirsten Holloway Designs
This cloth has a lacy, textured look from clusters of double crochet and half double crochet worked in the third loop. It looks fancy but repeats in easy rows. It is about 9 inches square and also makes a pretty spa cloth or gift.
- Designer: Kirsten Holloway Designs
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Cotton (Lily Sugar ‘n Cream), about 75 yards
- Hook: 4.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Primrose Crochet Dishcloth
Photo: Crochet ‘n’ Create
The primrose stitch makes little fans of double crochet with chain spaces in between. The fabric is soft and a bit open, so it dries fast. The pattern is written in both US and UK terms, which helps if you are still learning the difference.
- Designer: Crochet ‘n’ Create
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light worsted cotton (#3), about 40 g
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Crossed Stitch Crochet Dishcloth
Photo: Carolyn Christmas / Pink Mambo
Double crochets are crossed over each other to make a woven-looking texture, then framed with a contrasting border. Gauge does not matter much, so you can relax. Make two in the same yarn for a gift set.
- Designer: Carolyn Christmas / Pink Mambo
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Tulip Stitch Dishcloth
Photo: Raine / Handmade by Raine
A spring dishcloth with tulip shapes worked into the fabric and a little crocheted hanging loop. It uses three colors and includes a video tutorial. Choose this when you are comfortable with basic stitches and want to try decreases like dc2tog and dc3tog.
- Designer: Raine / Handmade by Raine
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Medium weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Knock Knees and Paternoster Cable Stitch Dishcloths
Photo: Dedri Uys / Look At What I Made
Two patterns on one page, both using a simple crochet cable made with long double crochets worked over skipped stitches. In one the cables lean in opposite directions, in the other they all lean the same way. A nice first taste of cables.
- Designer: Dedri Uys / Look At What I Made
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4), about 80 yards
- Hook: 4 mm (G/6) or 5 mm (H/8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Block Stitch Dishcloth
Photo: Carolyn Calderon / The Purple Poncho
Two colors build little blocks across the cloth, and tassels on the edges give it a farmhouse feel. It is rated intermediate because of the color changes and standing stitches, but it works up in one evening. Save it for when your plain squares look neat.
- Designer: Carolyn Calderon / The Purple Poncho
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
15. Wishy Washies Tunisian Washcloths
Photo: Kim Guzman / CrochetKim
Want to try Tunisian crochet? This two-color square is a small, low-risk way to learn. It uses a long Tunisian hook and a few Tunisian stitches to make a thick, dense cloth that scrubs well.
- Designer: Kim Guzman / CrochetKim
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton (Lily Sugar ‘n Cream)
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K 10.5) Tunisian hook
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First project ever? Start with #4 (plain double crochet) or #1 (double crochet with chain spaces).
- Only know single crochet? Try #5, the diagonal cloth, to learn increases and decreases.
- Want to learn working in the round? Make #6, the round scrubby.
- Ready for color? #8 (granny squares) or #7 (ripple stripes) are easy wins.
- Want a challenge? Try the cables in #13 or Tunisian crochet in #15.
FAQ
What is the best yarn for a crochet dishcloth?
Use 100% cotton or a cotton blend in worsted weight. Cotton soaks up water, handles hot water and washes well. Acrylic does not absorb water and can melt near heat, so it is better for decor than for dishes. Brands like Lily Sugar ‘n Cream and Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton are easy to find.
How big should a crochet dishcloth be?
Most dishcloths are 7 to 10 inches square. Smaller cloths dry faster, while bigger ones are nice for wiping counters. To change the size, add or remove stitches in your starting chain and repeat rows until the cloth is as tall as it is wide.
How long does it take to crochet a dishcloth?
A simple single or double crochet dishcloth usually takes one to three hours for a beginner. Textured and color work patterns take a little longer. After you make a few, you will likely finish one in an evening while watching TV.
Pick one cloth, grab some cotton yarn, and you will have a useful handmade gift by the end of the week.
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