Crochet Dishcloths with Textured Stitches

5 min read

Crochet dishcloths are the perfect project when you want something useful, quick, and forgiving, and textured stitches make them far better at scrubbing than a flat cloth. A dishcloth takes one evening, uses a single skein of cotton yarn, and teaches you stitch patterns that show up in blankets, scarves, and sweaters later. Texture is not just decorative here, since raised stitches create ridges that lift food from plates and give the cloth grip. A set of four dishcloths in coordinating colors also makes a thoughtful housewarming gift.

Start with 100 percent cotton yarn in a medium weight, because cotton absorbs water and survives hot washes, while acrylic yarn stays slick and can melt near a hot pan. Choose a hook one size smaller than the yarn label suggests if your stitches tend to be loose, since a firm fabric scrubs better and holds its shape.

Choosing Cotton Yarn That Holds Up

Not all cotton yarn behaves the same, so read the label before you buy and look for words like kitchen cotton, dishcloth cotton, or 100 percent cotton. Mercerized cotton has a slight sheen and a smooth finish, which looks polished but can feel slippery when wet. Unmercerized cotton is softer and grippier, which is better for scrubbing, though it may fade a little faster. Avoid cotton blends with acrylic for dishcloths, since the acrylic portion resists water and weakens the cloth over time.

Buy yarn in a solid color rather than a variegated one for your first textured cloth, because color changes can hide the stitch pattern you are trying to learn. A skein of about 100 grams makes two dishcloths at a standard eight inch size, so one skein gives you a pair to practice with.

Reading a Dishcloth Pattern

Dishcloth patterns usually start with a chain, then a setup row, then a repeating stitch pattern that you work until the cloth is square. Read the whole pattern once before you pick up the hook, and mark the repeat section so you know which stitches to repeat across the row. Most patterns tell you the finished size and the gauge, which is the number of stitches per inch, and matching the gauge keeps your cloth from turning out too big or too small. If your first rows look wider than the pattern says, switch to a smaller hook.

Count your stitches at the end of every row for the first few rows, because a missed stitch early on makes the edges slant. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each row until you can spot it by eye, which saves a lot of recounting.

Working the Waffle Stitch

The waffle stitch is a favorite for dishcloths because it makes deep pockets that trap crumbs and look impressive. It is built from front post double crochets and regular double crochets, alternating in a pattern that pushes some stitches forward and leaves others back. Work the first row of the pattern slowly, and check that the raised posts line up in columns, since one misplaced post throws off the whole waffle grid. The stitch uses more yarn than a flat stitch, so expect your skein to go faster.

Keep your tension even when you work post stitches, because pulling them too tight makes the cloth pucker and curl. If the edges pull in, your post stitches are too tight, so loosen your grip and let the hook do the work. After four or five rows, the waffle texture should be obvious, with square pockets forming across the fabric.

Shaping Edges That Stay Flat

Straight edges make a dishcloth look finished, and they come from consistent turning chains and careful first and last stitches. Count the turning chain as a stitch only if the pattern says so, because treating it differently at each end makes one edge taller than the other. Work into the top of the turning chain on the last stitch of the row, which many beginners skip, since skipping it shrinks the cloth by one stitch every row. A border of single crochet around the finished cloth hides small edge wobbles and gives the cloth a crisp frame.

Block the finished cloth by soaking it in warm water, pressing it flat, and letting it dry on a towel, which evens out the stitches and sets the shape. Pin the corners square if the cloth wants to curl, and leave it until it is fully dry before you use it.

Washing and Caring for Cotton Cloths

Cotton dishcloths get better with washing, since the fibers soften and absorb more water after the first few cycles. Machine wash them in warm water with your towels, and skip fabric softener, because softener coats cotton fibers and reduces absorbency. Tumble dry on medium or lay them flat, and expect a little shrinkage on the first wash, which is normal for cotton. If a cloth starts to smell musty, soak it in warm water with a spoonful of baking soda before washing.

Make a fresh cloth every few months and retire stained ones to cleaning duty, since a dishcloth that has scrubbed greasy pans deserves a second career wiping counters. Keep two or three cloths in rotation so you always have a dry one ready, and store them folded in a drawer rather than bunched in a damp ball.

The best way to learn Crochet crafts is to keep going. Your next read is right below: How to Crochet a Basket with Rope Yarn.

Reference: Dishcloths — Wikipedia

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