This complete crochet guide goes over everything you need to know about how to crochet a washcloth, including answers to what size should a crocheted dishcloth be and what is the best yarn to use for a crocheted washcloth, as well as free washcloth crochet patterns.
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Crocheted washcloths are great for washing dishes with, and also feel fantastic against the skin in the shower.
Crocheted washcloths also make a great gift! Work up a set of three, and wrap with a bow. Place in a kitchen themed gift basket with some coasters and a potholder or two, or place in a spa themed gift basket with a cute headband and some facial scrubbies!
I’ve designed over 20 washcloth crochet patterns, most of which you can find on my EyeLoveKnots blog. I always like to include an FAQ section with useful details on crocheted washcloths, like how big they be should and what the best yarn for them is, but I’ve decided to create this separate post with that information so I could build on this awesome crochet resource without making my posts too lengthy. In this complete crochet guide, I will share with you some tips for crocheting washcloths, answer all of your questions about crocheting dishcloths and share some free washable crochet patterns with you. If you have a question that you don’t see answered, please feel free to drop me a comment below and I will add the information.
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What is the difference between a Crocheted Washcloth and a crocheted Dishcloth?
A crocheted washcloth and a dishcloth are practically one in the same with the biggest difference being how you use it.
Is it Necessary to Crochet a Gauge Swatch for a Crocheted Washcloth?
Because the finished size of a crocheted washcloth is not essential, it is not necessary to work up a gauge swatch for a crocheted washcloth or to even check gauge within the pattern unless the finished size is essential to you.
If you do decide to crochet a swatch or check gauge within a crochet pattern, make sure to crochet more stitches widthwise and rows heightwise to ensure you are accurately measuring the center stitches, otherwise if you work up a swatch that is equal to the gauge you are trying to meet or trying to take gauge too close to the ends, the measurements will slightly vary.
How to crochet a washcloth | How to Crochet a Dishcloth:
There are so many fun ways to crochet a washcloth depending on the technique you prefer and the shape you’d like to make, and I think that with crochet, there are more shapes being created than what you most likely would see in a big box store. I’m going to discuss how to crochet a square washcloth (also applies to a rectangular washcloth) starting with a crocheted chain and working in rows, but if you would like to know more about crocheting different shapes, like a triangular washcloth, or a circular washcloth, or even something like a hexagon shape washcloth, and using different techniques, such as working from the center out or with foundation crochet stitches, feel free to comment below to let me know, and I will add more details about them.
To crochet a washcloth in a square shape in rows, you’ll start with a chain that is the multiple of your crochet stitch pattern. I will give some examples, but before I do, keep in mind that if you want to add a border to your crocheted washcloth, that it will add width and height to your finished project so you may want to take that into consideration when deciding on a width.
More simple crochet stitch patterns like single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet, do not have a stitch multiple. This means that you can crochet any number of chains, work into the crochet chain as necessary for your stitch pattern [ie into the 2nd chain for single crochet, 3rd for half double crochet and 4th for double crochet], and then continue crocheting evenly all the way across.
For a more complex crochet stitch pattern like a staggered bobble stitch pattern, you’ll want to start with a stitch multiple that works for your pattern plus a turning chain. Using the same example, you would start with a chain that is a multiple of 4 + 5 + 1 – that means a number that is evenly divisible by 4 (which is the number of stitches in the repeat) like 8, 12, 16 etc plus 5 (for the stitches on the ends that are not included in the repeat), respectively that would be, 13, 17, 21, etc plus 1 for the turning chain.
After you work your beginning chain, begin crocheting down the chain in pattern all the way to the end of the row.
For the next row and all the remaining rows, you will start with a beginning chain, which may or may not count as a stitch depending on your stitch pattern, then work in your desired stitch pattern.
After working about 8 rows if you’re using a sport weight yarn or about 6 rows if you’re using a worsted weight yarn (more rows if you’re using a lighter weight yarn), you can measure the width, add in the measurement for the border, and then you will know if the finished size will be where you want it to be. I often find that in working with sport weight yarn, a single crochet round adds about 3/8″ to the width and in working with worsted weight yarn, a single crochet round adds about 1/2″ to the width.
Continue crocheting rows until you have reached the height you’d like for your washcloth. Two things to keep in mind as you approach this point: 1.) If you will add a border, then you’ll want to consider the height that the border will add to your washcloth; 2.) You’ll want to finish on a row that makes sense for your stitch pattern – not only within your stitch pattern, like starting with a row of single crochet and ending with a row of single crochet with staggered bobble stitch rows in between, but also something like if Row 1 is the right side of the fabric and you want symmetry, then you’ll want to finish with a row worked on the right side as well so when you flip it over for the border, everything is nice and evenly.
Do I need to add a border to my crocheted washcloth?
I like to add a border to my crocheted washcloths, usually a simple round of single crochet, for a more finished look, but a more times than not, a border is not necessary if you don’t want to add one.
What is the Best Crochet Stitch for a Dishcloth or washcloth?
In my opinion, the best crochet stitch for a dishcloth or washcloth is half double crochet because it’s not as loose as a stitch like double crochet which would tend to stretch out more, but also not as tight as a stitch like single crochet which may not dry out as quickly, but really, you can use any stitch pattern that you like, or any number of stitch combinations.
I also love using textured crochet stitches, like the even berry stitch, the suzette stitch and corner to corner boxes worked in half double crochets. Textured crochet stitches feel amazing against the skin in the shower or in cleaning your face, and work better in the kitchen to scrub off any spots on dishes.
Where Do You Use a Washcloth?
Washcloths, sometimes called a washrag, are just a miniature bath towel, and designed to be absorbent, soft and easy to use being hand held. Washcloths can be used as a small hand towel to dry off after washing hands, as well as in the shower with soap to clean and exfoliate. Crocheted cotton washcloths feel amazing against the skin, and are better for you than loofahs, as loofahs can harbor bacteria more.
Where Do You Use a Dishcloth?
Dishcloths are great to use in the kitchen to wash dishes with, dry dishes off, wipe down kitchen counters, and if thick enough, could be used as a potholder or trivet.
How Often Should I Clean and Change a Washcloth?
For hand drying, a washcloth should be washed about once a week.
For use in the shower, I’ve heard a washcloth should be changed out a couple times a week for washing with good rinsing between uses to get rid of as many dead skin cells and bacteria as possible, but a washcloth should really be used once, and than washed as it harbors bacteria, and possible mold growth if it doesn’t dry out properly, and can hold onto debris.
For use in the kitchen, you will want to change out your dishcloth often – more or less depending on what you use it for, but similar to a washcloth, a dishcloth can harbor bacteria and hold onto debris. Only used for drying hands or dishes, a dishcloth should be washed about once a week. Used for wiping counter tops could be closer to once a week or closer to every 1 – 2 days depending on what your dishcloth comes in contact with. Used for washing dishes, I change my washcloth out daily because mine starts to smell, and if it doesn’t dry out properly it can lead to mold growth.
How Do I Dry a Crocheted Washcloth or dishcloth?
After using, rinse the washcloth to remove as much debris and bacteria as possible, roll up and press excess water out (do not wring out a crocheted washcloth), and then lay flat to dry. It’s not recommended to hang crocheted washcloths as they can stretch, especially if wet because they’re heavier.
How Do I Wash a Crocheted Washcloth or Dishcloth?
Hand washing is always the best way to preserve your crocheted projects, but I do like the ease of machine washing and drying. Typically I machine wash in cold water on the gentle cycle, and then machine dry on low heat and lay flat to dry the remainder. Sometimes, like with dishcloths that were used in cleaning dishes, I often find I need to wash on the normal cycle, otherwise they can still smell. One thing to note is like that crocheted fabric does tend to get stained easily, and those stains do not come out.
What size should a crocheted washcloth or dishcloth be?
The most common washcloth size I come across is 8″ by 8″, but I would say most crochet patterns are written in one size – usually 6″, 7″ or 8″. Really, the size of a crocheted washcloth can be whatever size you prefer. I’ve had some say they like smaller washcloths as they’re easier to hold, or larger washcloths because they’re more versatile. In all of my crochet patterns, I aim to have square sizes from 4″ to 10″ so I have something for everyone (older designs are more limited, but slowly being updated).
What is the Best Yarn to Use for a Crocheted Washcloth?
There are many fibers that make nice crocheted washcloths, though cotton yarns are used the most and are very durable for repeated use and washing. Worsted weight is the most common weight of cotton yarn used for crocheted washcloths, but there are also several nice lightweight yarns as well.
My preferred yarns for washcloths are Queensland Coastal Cotton Fine, a softer, sport weight yarn, Queensland Coastal Cotton, a softer, worsted weight yarn available in both solid colors and variegated colors, as well as WeCrochet Dishie Yarn because these yarns are colorfast as compared to yarns like Lily Sugar n Cream, Bernat Handicrafter and Crafters Secret Cotton where with one wash, the colors fade a lot, and some colors, like greens and blues, bleed if laid down on a surface while wet.
Though I haven’t tested for washcloths, I think these would be great lightweight options: WeCrochet CotLin, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK and I might go so far as to say Juniper Moon Zooey.
The worsted weight version of Queensland Coastal Cotton works up somewhere in between the thickness of WeCrochet Dishie and Lily Sugar n Cream. I’ve heard that I Love This Cotton Yarn is also colorfast, and seems to be the choice for many crocheters that do markets as it’s also nice and soft, and I feel like it’s a similar thickness as well.
Cotton blends work well for washcloths, and the synthetic fiber they’re combined with, such as acrylic or polyester, will often add a bit more durability, however, they lack the absorbency so they do need the plant based fiber.
Linen also makes for a really lovely washcloth. It gets strong when wet, and gets softer and nicer with each wash. Linen blends often combine with cotton or bamboo to add softness.
Bamboo yarns have a high absorbency – even more than cotton – however, bamboo is weaker when wet, and more prone to developing mold so if bamboo is a fiber you want to use, I definitely recommend going with a blend of linen and/or cotton.
17 Free Washcloth Crochet Patterns:
Sport Weight Haylee Washcloth | Worsted Weight Haylee Washcloth
Sport Weight Grace Tinley Washcloth | Worsted Weight Grace Tinley Washcloth
Sport Weight Little Pebbles Washcloth | Worsted Weight Little Pebbles Washcloth
{The following washcloth patterns are in worsted weight yarn.}
C2C Two Enamored Heart Washcloth
