Free Crochet Washcloth Pattern

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You might call them washcloths, flannels, or washrags, but whatever name you prefer, these handy little towels are perfect for your cleaning routine. This easy crochet washcloth pattern uses a simple colorwork technique that makes it pop.

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Making your own washcloths is super simple. They’re small and straightforward, and it’s a great way to use up leftover yarn. You can usually finish one in just under two hours.

If you’re not familiar with tapestry crochet yet, it’s worth looking up, but I’m also sharing the written instructions here to help you out.

More Crochet Patterns

Would you rather have a PDF?

The inexpensive, ad-free printable PDF file for this crochet washcloth pattern has written instructions and a chart. You can purchase the download in my pattern shops here:

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Crochet Washcloth Pattern

This is an easy crochet washcloth pattern created with the tapestry crochet technique. You will crochet a foundation chain then single crochet in back-and-forth rows carrying the yarn to make the leaf motif.

Keep scrolling for the full instructions, but here is what you’ll basically do:

• Firstly, gather your materials and create a foundation chain.
• Secondly, crochet rows 1 to 4 with plain single crochet stiches.
• Thirdly, you will start crocheting with both colors of yarn to create the leaf. 
• Next, you’ll finish-off by making 4 rows of plain crochet stitches and make the scalloped edging. 
• And lastly, you’ll make the leaf motif’s stem with the surface slip stitch.

Skills & Stitches to Know

If you know how to chain and single crochet, you can work with this crochet washcloth pattern. But if the tapestry crochet technique intimidates you, I want to tell you right now, it’s easier than you think. Here is what you need to know:

• Chain (ch) – a chain stitch is the very basic thing you first learn to crochet. To create a chain, you will simply yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Single crochet (sc) – insert the hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two stitches to complete the sc.
• Double crochet (dc) – yarn over, insert the hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through two) twice to complete the dc stitch. This will be used to make the washcloth edging.
• Scalloped edging – to make each scallop cluster, you will chain 3, make 3 double crochet (dc) stitches in 3^rd chain from the hook, skip 2 stitches, slip stitch in next stitch. Repeat around.
• Surface slip stitch – this will be used to make the stem. The detailed instructions are included in the pattern below.
• Tapestry Crochet – this is a technique that you use to create motifs with different yarn colors. When you change one yarn color to the next, you will carry the unworking yarn under the stitches as you go. Here is how you do it:
  • Crochet the last single crochet stitch with the current color and stop when you have 2 loops on hook to complete the stitch.
  • Drop the current yarn, yarn over with the new color and complete the stitch with the new color.
  • Crochet as many stitches as needed (per instructions) with the new corner and carry the previous yarn as you go.
  • Repeat steps b and c back-and-forth until you complete the project.

Tip: To succeed with tapestry crochet, you need to count your stitches frequently and pull/adjust the carrying yarn with your fingers before switching to the new color to ensure it sits straight and relaxed under the stitches.  

Materials:

Here is what you’ll need for this crochet washcloth pattern:

• Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn – more on the yarn below.
• 4.5 mm (US 7) hook
• Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Best Yarns for Crochet Washcloths

The best yarns for washcloths are worsted weight (#4) cotton and cotton blends. I used 24/7 mercerized cotton and Re-Up recycled cotton, both by Lion Brand. Here is the amount you’ll need:

• Main Color (MC): 24/7 Ecru – you’ll used approximately 1.96 oz (56 g) / 105 yds (96 m).
• Contrasting Color (CC): 24/7 Grass (green) – you’ll used approximately 1.12 oz (32 g) / 60 yds (55 m).

Yarn substitution options:

• MainStatys Cotton Yarn Walmart Brand.
• Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton yarn.
• Lilly Sugar n’ Cream Cotton Yarn.

Pattern notes:

• This crochet washcloth pattern was written using standard US terminology.
• Level of difficulty: Easy. 
• Gauge is not crucial for this crochet washcloth pattern. But if you want to achieve the same size, you will need to make a swatch with single crochet stitches in back-and-forth rows. Gauge needs to be 16 sc sts x 17 rows = 4” (10 cm).
• If you’re new to tapestry crochet, check out this super easy tutorial for absolute beginners by Yay For Yarn.

Project Size: approximately 11” x 11” (28 cm x 28 cm), when you use the recommended material and meet gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms):

• ch (s): Chain (s)
• CC: contrasting color (green)
• MC: main color (ecru or white)
• FO: fasten-off
• dc: double crochet
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• sk: skip
• st (s): stitch (es)

Instructions

Hopefully, you have read the crochet washcloth pattern notes and gathered the needed materials. So, let’s get started!

Tip: Generally, when doing tapestry crochet you pick your contrasting color (CC) yarn when making the motif. However, as an option, if you want your project to look uniform throughout, you can start carrying the unworking yarn from the beginning.

Step #1: Foundation

In this step, you make the foundation and 4 rows of plain sc sts.

Ch 43 with MC and sc in 2nd ch from hook to start.

Tip: If you would rather make it larger, like a kitchen towel, for example, this is the time to add more chains to your foundation. Then, when it’s time to create the leaf motif, you will have to skip more stitches at the beginning of the row to make it centered.

• Row1-4: sc across with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Note: You’ll pick up the green yarn in the next row to make the leaf. Each row has 42 sc sts.

Step #2: Make the Leaf Motif

Continue without cutting the yarn.

• Row5 (RS): sc 11 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 26 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row6 (WS): sc 25 with MC, sc 7 with CC, sc 10 with MC, ch 1, turn.

Tip: Mark the right side with a stitch marker, as this will be used for reference when it’s time to make the stem. 

• Row7: sc 9 with MC, sc 9 with CC, sc 24 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row8: sc 23 with MC, sc 11 with CC, sc 8 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row9: sc 8 with MC, sc 12 with CC, sc 10 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 7 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row10: sc 6 with MC, sc 7 with CC, sc 9 with MC, sc 12 with CC, sc 8 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row11: sc 8 with MC, sc 13 with CC, sc 7 with MC, sc 9 with CC, sc 5 with MC, ch 1, turn.

• Row12: sc 4 with MC, sc 11 with CC, sc 6 with MC, sc 12 with CC, sc 9 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row13: sc 6 with MC, sc 15 with CC, sc 5 with MC, sc 13 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row14: sc 3 with MC, sc 14 with CC, sc 4 with MC, sc 17 with CC, sc 4 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row15: sc 3 with MC, sc 19 with CC, sc 2 with MC, sc 15 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row16: sc 3 with MC, sc 16 with CC, sc 1 with MC, sc 19 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row17: sc 3 with MC, sc 36 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row18: sc 4 with MC, sc 35 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row19: sc 3 with MC, sc 34 with CC, sc 5 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row20: sc 4 with MC, sc 34 with CC, sc 4 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row21: sc 5 with MC, sc 34 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row22: sc 3 with MC, sc 33 with CC, sc 6 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row23: sc 7 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 1 with MC, sc 26 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row24: sc 3 with MC, sc 27 with CC, sc 12 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row25: sc 10 with MC, sc 29 with CC, sc 3 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row26: sc 4 with MC, sc 29 with CC, sc 9 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row27: sc 9 with MC, sc 18 with CC, sc 1 with MC, sc 9 with CC, sc 5 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row28: sc 6 with MC, sc 7 with CC, sc 1 with MC, sc 20 with CC, sc 8 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row29: sc 7 with MC, sc 21 with CC, sc 2 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 7 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row30: sc 13 with MC, sc 22 with CC, sc 7 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row31: sc 7 with MC, sc 23 with CC, sc 12 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row32: sc 12 with MC, sc 23 with CC, sc 7 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row33: sc 7 with MC, sc 23 with CC, sc 12 with MC, ch 1, turn.

• Row34: sc 12 with MC, sc 22 with CC, sc 8 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row35: sc 9 with MC, sc 20 with CC, sc 13 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row36: sc 14 with MC, sc 10 with CC, sc 1 with MC, sc 7 with CC, sc 10 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row37: sc 11 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 3 with MC, sc 8 with CC, sc 15 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row38: sc 17 with MC, sc 5 with CC, sc 20 with MC, ch 1, turn.
• Row39-42: sc across, ch 1, turn.

Chain 3 when you’re done with row 42. Turn to make the scalloped edging.

Step #3: Edging

Dc 3 in third ch from hook, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st, (ch 3, dc 3 in third ch from hook, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st) around. At the end, you will have 14 scallop clusters in each of the 4 sides of the towel.

FO. Cut the yarn. Weave in the ends.

Step #4: Stem

There is no exact way to make the stem. By the way, you can use any other technique you like. Embroidery would be an option. But I used the surface sc st, and here is how you make it:

1. With the green yarn, make a slip knot. 
2. Place the yarn/slip knot at the wrong side of the towel. Insert the hook in the bottom of the shamrock, where the stem starts.
3. Grab the slip knot loop and bring it to the right side with the hook.
4. Insert the hook one row down, pull up a loop and complete a sl st.
5. Repeat step 4 in each st until you reach the bottom of the towel. Then, go back up and do a second row of surface sl sts.

Tip: If you want a more precise line for the stem, you can trace a line with a disappearing ink pen (if you have one).

Step #5: Block

This is optional, but if you’re making this crochet washcloth pattern to sell or gift, blocking will make it look lovely. I used a hot steam iron to block mine.

Would you rather have a PDF?

The inexpensive and free printable PDF file for this crochet washcloth pattern has written instructions and a chart. You can purchase the download in my pattern shops here:

Your green leaf crochet washcloth pattern is done! Thanks for checking and hopefully you have loved making this towel as much as I loved designing it.

More Free Patterns

While you’re checking this crochet washcloth pattern, you may also like these other free patterns here on the blog:

• Crochet Shamrock Leaf Pattern
• Crochet Snowflake Doily
• Crochet Coaster and Holder Basket
• Crochet Hearts Doily
• Farmhouse Crochet Pumpkin Garland

What to do next

• Comment on this post: I always read comments and reply to all questions posted on the blog and I love it when you stop by to say hello.
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Save this crochet washcloth pattern for later. Use this image to pin it to your Pinterest Boards:

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