Beginner Crochet Dishcloth Pattern with Striped Option

This beginner crochet dishcloth pattern gives you two options on how to make this; a solid color, or a simple three-color striped pattern. Either way, the only stitch this free crochet pattern calls for is the single crochet. It is a very simple stitch that is perfect for absolute beginners and even children to learn. 

Both dishcloths are finished off with a simple single crochet edging. They make for great stashbusters as well as great gift ideas!

One of the reasons for two options is that I wanted a crochet dishcloth for beginners to build on, meaning that this is perfect as a very first crochet project. Then once the basic crochet stitches have been mastered, one can begin to add more colors.

The second option for the striped dishcloth is good practice to learn to make simple color changes at the end of each row. I chose three colors and changed my yarn at the end of each row. This way, you always have one strand of yarn at the end of the row, waiting for the next color change. This is not only good practice for carrying yarn, but you don’t have to worry about weaving in a million loose ends.

Another bonus of this easy crochet dishcloth pattern is that you get to practice working in the round as well once you get to the edging. You don’t have to do an edging, but it’s good practice for when you’re ready for it.

But best of all, if you make a mistake somewhere in a dishcloth, it really doesn’t matter because it’ll only be used for washing and scrubbing! Right?! As long as the fabric holds together, it doesn’t matter if the rows or stitches are uneven. That is why a basic crochet dishcloth, such as this one, is perfect as first projects, even for young children!

How to Crochet a Dishcloth for Beginners

Below is a basic overview on how to crochet a simple dishcloth using only single crochet stitches.

So basically, you start off with a slip knot and place the loop on your crochet hook. Here is a more detailed tutorial on how to tie a slip knot.

Once you have your knot on your hook, wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through the loop that is on the hook. This is called a chain. Continue to make these chains until you have the width that you like.

Turn your work. Then single crochet into the second chain from the hook. To make the single crochet, insert your hook into the chain, wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through. You now have two loops on your hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull through both loops. Your single crochet stitch is now complete. Here is a more detailed tutorial on how to single crochet.

Continue to single crochet into each chain across. Turn your work again. Or, chain one and then turn your work. Then simply work one single crochet into each stitch across. And repeat.

You can add a single crochet edging to this dishcloth if you like. To do that, simply chain one, then single crochet evenly around with three stitches in each corner so that they don’t curl up.

Choose a Cotton Yarn for Dishcloths

For this crochet dishcloth I chose a #4 worsted weight cotton yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. It is a 100% durable cotton material. If you need to substitute, the next best thing is Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, which is a very similar yarn. However, feel free to choose your favorite cotton yarn. There are many other brands who carry dishcloths that you can use here.

If you’re new to crochet and are wondering why cotton is so important, it’s because it holds up better when it comes to scrubbing. Acrylic yarn tends to wear out rather quickly when used for heavy scrubbing, making it almost a waste of time to crochet your own dishcloths. Whereas cotton, it’ll last you forever!

A worsted weight cotton yarn works well with either a 5 mm or a 5.5 mm crochet hook. I find a larger hook gives the fabric a bit more drape, making it more suitable for a washcloth.

Crochet Dishcloth Size

I’ve included two sizes, both of them are for square dishcloths. One measures 7 inches square and the other is 7.5 inches square. My original cloth was only 7 inches, but when I reworked it with the stripes I needed to work an extra few rows for the colors to work out. That in turn then prompted a few extra stitches in the rows to keep it square.

With that said, this single crochet dishcloth pattern has no stitch multiple, so you can basically crochet this to any size you want, including a placemat to match the dishcloth or a full-sized afghan if you want! Simply make your starting chains the length you want and away you go!

For me, the best size for a dishcloth is around the 7 inch mark, but you can increase or decrease that to any size you like best.

This pattern is also available at Ravelry.