A handmade washcloth is one of the quickest, most useful crochet projects you can make — it’s practical, eco-friendly, and makes a lovely gift. These seven modern washcloth patterns cover everything from quick beginner squares to textured Tunisian honeycomb and hanging-loop versions for easy storage. Each pattern includes Skill level, Materials, Finished size & gauge, Step-by-step instructions, and Tips so you can jump straight in. Let’s get scrubbing!

1. Crochet Baby Washcloth Pattern

Photo Credit: anniedesigncrochet.com

Skill Level: Beginner
Materials

  • 100% cotton yarn (sport or DK weight) — ~50–75 yds
  • 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook
  • Yarn needle, scissors
  • Optional: stitch marker

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 8″ × 8″ (20 × 20 cm). Adjust by adding/removing chains or changing hook.
  • Gauge isn’t critical — aim for a firm but soft fabric.

Instructions

  1. Chain 31 (or any odd number + 2 for turning).
  2. Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next across. (30 SC) Turn.
  3. Row 2: Ch 1, SC in back loop only (BLO) across. Turn.
  4. Row 3: Ch 1, SC in both loops (BLO row above will provide a subtle ridge), across. Turn.
  5. Repeat Rows 2–3 until piece measures ≈ 8″ from beginning, ending after a BLO row.
  6. Border (optional): With right side facing, join yarn at any edge, SC evenly around all four sides, 3 SC in each corner, join and fasten off. Weave ends.

Why it works

  • Using BLO on alternate rows gives a gentle texture that’s soft for baby skin but provides slight scrubbing action.

Tips

  • Use pastel or neutral colors for baby sets.
  • Cotton washes well and softens after a couple of laundries — prewash your yarn if you like.
Pattern Instructions

2. Beginner Cotton Crochet Washcloth Tutorial

Photo Credit: youtube.com/@melanieham

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner
Materials

  • 100% cotton worsted weight (approx. 80–100 yds)
  • 5.0 mm (H) crochet hook
  • Scissors, yarn needle

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 9″ × 9″ (23 × 23 cm)

Instructions

  1. Chain 25.
  2. Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across (24 SC). Turn.
  3. Rows 2–32: Ch 1, SC across. Turn. (Adjust number of rows for desired size.)
  4. Fasten off and weave in ends. For a quick finish, add a round of crab stitch (reverse SC) around the edge to prevent curling.

Why it works

  • A tight SC fabric holds up to repeated use and washing, and it’s super fast to make.

Tips

  • Work with a larger hook if you want a plusher, more flexible cloth.
  • Make a set of 3 in coordinating colors to have spares in the laundry.
Video Tutorial

3. Tunisian Crochet Honeycomb Washcloth Pattern

Photo Credit: jewelsandjones.com

Skill Level: Intermediate (Tunisian basics required)
Materials

  • 100% cotton worsted or DK weight (approx. 80–100 yds)
  • Tunisian crochet hook (or long regular hook) 4.5 mm–5.5 mm depending on yarn
  • Yarn needle, scissors

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 9″ × 9″ (23 × 23 cm). Tunisian stitches create a thicker, highly absorbent fabric.

Stitch glossary (quick)

  • TSS — Tunisian Simple Stitch (pick up loop in stitch, leaving on hook during forward pass).
  • Return pass — yarn over, pull through two loops across.

Instructions

  1. Foundation: Chain 25. Pick up 1 loop in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (25 loops on hook) — this is the forward pass foundation.
  2. Row 1 (return pass): Yarn over, pull through 2 loops across until one loop remains.
  3. Row 2 (honeycomb forward pass): Pick up loop in next stitch, then insert hook into the vertical bar of the previous stitch and pick up a second loop — this creates the honeycomb texture (you will have 2 loops picked in a zigzag across). Note: the exact sequence for honeycomb can vary by pattern; the idea is to pick up loops that shift columns so the fabric forms hexagon-like bumps.
  4. Row 2 return pass: Yarn over, pull through 2 loops across.
  5. Repeat Row 2 for 20–24 pattern rows until square measures about 9″. Finish with one plain TSS forward pass and a return pass.
  6. Edge: Work a round of SC (regular hook) around edges, 3 SC in corners. Fasten off and weave ends.

Why it works

  • Tunisian honeycomb produces a thick, nubby fabric — excellent for scrubbing and durable.

Tips

  • Keep tension even on forward passes; Tunisian fabric can tighten as you work.
  • If you don’t know honeycomb, practice the basic TSS a few rows first, then try the honeycomb forward pass on a small swatch.
Pattern Instructions

4. Fast Crochet Washcloth with Hanging Loop Tutorial

Photo Credit: youtube.com/@tlyarncrafts

Skill Level: Beginner–Plus
Materials

  • Cotton worsted weight (approx. 70 yds)
  • 5.0 mm (H) hook
  • Yarn needle, scissors

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 8″ × 8″; hanging loop adds 2–3″ (5–8 cm)

Instructions

  1. Chain 30. Row 1: DC in 3rd ch from hook and across. Turn. (28 DC)
  2. Rows 2–20: Ch 2, DC across. Stop when the cloth is ≈ 8″ tall.
  3. Hanging loop: Ch 20 (or desired length), skip 3 DC at the corner, join with sl st in next corner stitch to form the loop; secure.
  4. Fasten off and weave ends.

Why it works

  • Double crochet builds fabric quickly; the hanging loop is practical — keep the cloth dry between uses.

Tips

  • Make the loop from a chain of slip-stitches for extra strength: chain, then work a row of SC back along the chain before joining.
  • Add a contrasting color border for a polished look.
Video Tutorial

5. Radiant Washcloth Crochet Pattern

Photo Credit: theloopholefox.com

Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials

  • 100% cotton DK or sport (approx. 75–100 yds)
  • 4.0 mm (G) hook
  • Yarn needle, scissors

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 9″ × 9″

Stitch pattern (radiant texture)

  • Alternating V-stitches and front post/back post to create sunburst texture.

Instructions

  1. Chain 33. Row 1: DC in 3rd ch from hook and across (31 DC). Turn.
  2. Row 2: Ch 2, V-stitch (DC, ch1, DC) in next st, skip next st across. Turn.
  3. Row 3: Ch 2, work DC in each ch-1 space and in DCs across, placing front post DC around the previous row’s DCs where you want raised ribs. This alternation of V-stitch row and a row of surface posts creates a radiant, slightly raised texture.
  4. Repeat Rows 2–3 until piece measures ~9″. End with a row of DCs.
  5. Finish with 1–2 rounds of SC for a clean edge.

Why it works

  • The combination of V-stitch lace and post stitches gives a decorative yet functional texture that dries quickly and scrubs gently.

Tips

  • Keep post stitches consistent — use a stitch marker to note where the first post occurs in each row.
  • This design looks great in variegated cotton yarn that pools into sunburst colors.
Pattern Instructions

6. Diagonal Stitched Textured Crochet Washcloth Tutorial

Photo Credit: youtube.com/@theupnorthhome

Skill Level: Beginner–Plus
Materials

  • 100% cotton worsted weight (approx. 80 yds)
  • 5.0 mm (H) hook
  • Yarn needle

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 9″ square when worked on 40 rows (adjust rows for size).

Stitch pattern

  • Half double crochet in back loop only (BLO) worked in a diagonal stepping pattern.

Instructions

  1. Chain 41. Row 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook and across (40 HDC). Turn.
  2. Row 2: Ch 1, HDC BLO in next 3 stitches, HDC BLO working around the post of the 4th stitch to create a diagonal (this is an easy way to shift the starting point each row by one stitch — another technique is to work a slip stitch offset at the start). Continue to end. Turn.
  3. Repeat Row 2, shifting the diagonal by 1 stitch every row so the ribs slant across the cloth. Work until about 9″ square.
  4. Edge: SC around with 3 SC in corners.

Why it works

  • Diagonal texture creates little ridges that increase surface area for scrubbing while remaining cloth-soft.

Tips

  • To change direction, work an even number of rows then work a few straight rows to reverse the diagonal.
  • This pattern blocks flat easily — stretch lightly when damp.
Video Tutorial

7. Easy Star Washcloth Pattern

Photo Credit: crochetdreamz.com

Skill Level: Beginner–Plus
Materials

  • Cotton sport or DK yarn (approx. 80–100 yds)
  • 4.5 mm hook
  • Stitch marker, yarn needle

Finished size & gauge

  • ≈ 8–9″ across

Instructions (star motif, joined in rounds)

  1. Make a star center: Magic ring, (ch 3, DC 2, ch 3, SL ST in ring) — repeat 5 times to create 5 points. Pull ring tight.
  2. Round 2 (build points): In each ch-3 space work (SC, HDC, 3 DC, HDC, SC) to form a fuller point. Join with sl st.
  3. Round 3 (expand to washcloth): Work DC or V-stitch rows between points to join the five points into a roughly circular/rounded square cloth. For a square, add small corner clusters where two points meet.
  4. Continue rounds until the cloth is desired size. Finish with SC edging.

Why it works

  • The star provides a decorative center and the rounds fill out a practical cloth with a bit of personality.

Tips

  • For a more regular square, make 6 or 8 points and expand evenly.
  • Add a small hanging loop by chaining 12 and sl st to the edge before fastening off.
Pattern Instructions

Conclusion

Whether you want an ultra-soft baby cloth, a thick Tunisian scrubber, or a quick hanging loop washcloth, these 7 modern crochet washcloth patterns cover everyday needs and skill levels. Cotton yarn is your best friend here — it’s absorbent, durable, and gets softer with each wash. Pick a texture you love, make a set in a few coordinating colors, and enjoy a simple, satisfying project that’s both beautiful and useful.

Happy crocheting — and happy washing!

Similar Posts