Last summer my husband and I were able to take a road trip to Northern California and Southern Oregon. Along the way, I checked out the Local Yarn Shop wherever I could. At one of these shops I picked up some Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie in 100% cotton with the thought that it would be great for washcloths. So, inspired by this visit and using this yarn, here are the Stashbusting Washcloths. If you have about 1/2 skein each of Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie in two colors or about 140 yards in two different colors of worsted weight cotton yarn, you will be able to make both washcloths. These free pattern uses combinations of the single crochet stitch.
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These two washcloths feature patterns based on the single crochet stitch. So, they are appropriate for the beginner who wants to take on a little variation in design. The Ridged Washcloth uses the single crochet in the back loop only stitch to create the ridged effect. The Textured Washcloth uses single crochet three together stitches for its texture. Both incorporate a single crochet border to give them a finished and modern look.
Stash Busting Challenge: This pattern was part of the Stash Busting Challenge organized by Joy of Motion Crochet and Knitting with Chopsticks from April 8, 2020 to April 14, 2020.
PDF Pattern Downloads: This pattern is included in full in this blog post. You can also get the PDF in my Ravelry Shop.
Finished Measurements: Each washcloth is approximately 7.5″ by 7.5″.
Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (#4 Medium) in colors of choice.
MC (main color) approximately 60 yards of a main color for each washclosh
AC (accent color) approximately 8 yards in an accent color for each washcloth
Shown above: Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie (100% cotton), 153 yd [140m]/3.5 oz [100g]: Lavender, partial skein and Loofa, partial skein.
Hook: Size H/8 (5.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers.
Gauge: 17 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches in sc. Exact gauge is not critical.
Standard Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Crochet Terminology):
AC: accent color
ch: chain
MC: main color
rep: repeat
sc: single crochet
sc3tog: single crochet 3 together
sc blo: single crochet back loop only
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
Notes: Pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Beginning chains for each row do not count as stitches. Picture tutorial available for the invisible join in the round method at https://craftingeachday.com/crochet-invisible-join-tutorial-crochet-in-the-round/
RIDGED WASHCLOTH (Off-white in sample photo)
Multiple: Any number of sts.
Base Chain: With MC, ch 27 (or adjust base chain to desired width).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (26 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st on this and all rows), sc in same stitch, sc blo across, end with sc in last sc, turn. (2 sc and 24 sc blo)
Rows 3 – 33 (or until washcloth is desired length): Rep row 2. At end of row 33, do not fasten off and go to border directions.
Border
Base Rnd: Ch 1 (does not count as a stich), work 2 sc in this first corner. Continue working a round of sc evenly around the edges and work 3 sc in each corner. End with 1 sc in first corner, sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off.
Note on Stitch Count: For the sample, I worked 22 sc on each side and edge. Please adjust this stitch count as needed in order to get the edge to lie flat.
Note About Working Into Row-End Sc: When working the sc stitches into the row-end sc, work the sc into the actual sc stitches and not the spaces in between the stitches. This will reduce the size of the “gaps” on the edges and help create a cleaner and more uniform finish.
Accent Color Rnd: Flip washcloth over. Join AC anywhere along one of the sides, ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), sc in each st around washcloth and work 3 sc in the middle sc of each corner from the previous round. Fasten off at end of round using invisible join in the round method. See pattern notes for a link to a tutorial on the invisible join method.
Finishing: Weave in any remaining ends. Block the washcloth if desired.
TEXTURED WASHCLOTH (Lavender in sample photo)
Multiple: 2 + 1 (+1 for base chain).
Base Chain: With MC, ch 30 (or adjust base chain to desired width).
Note: Be careful with the tension on the ch 1 stitches in row 1 and all subsequent rows. Keep the ch 1 stitches loose enough to match the tension of the other stitches.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3tog inserting hook first into same ch as previous sc and then across next 2 ch, *ch 1, sc3tog inserting hook first into same ch as at end of previous sc3tog and then across next 2 ch; rep from * until completing a sc3tog that ends in last ch, sc in last ch, turn. (14 sc3tog, 2 sc, 13 ch 1)
Note: The chain 1 stitches from row 1 and all subsequent rows count as stitches.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st on this and all rows), sc in same stitch, sc3tog inserting hook first into same st as previous sc and then across next 2 st (see note above about the chain stitches from prior rows counting as stitches), *ch 1, sc3tog inserting hook first into same st as at end of previous sc3tog and then across next 2 st; rep from * until completing a sc3tog that ends in last sc, sc in last sc, turn.
Rows 3 – 22 (or until washcloth is desired length): Rep row 2. At end of row 22, do not fasten off and go to border directions.
Border
Base Rnd: Ch 1 (does not count as a stich), work 2 sc in this first corner. Continue working a round of sc evenly around the edges and sides of washcloth and work 3 sc in each corner. End with 1 sc in first corner, sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off.
Note on Stitch Count: For the sample, I worked 22 sc on each side and edge. Please adjust this stitch count as needed in order to get the edge to lie flat.
Accent Color Rnd: Flip washcloth over. Join AC anywhere along one of the sides, ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), sc in each st around washcloth and work 3 sc in the middle sc of each corner from the previous round. Fasten off at end of round using invisible join in the round method. See pattern notes for a link to a tutorial on the invisible join method.
Finishing: Weave in any remaining ends. Block the washcloth if desired.