Basic Crochet Dish Cloth

In this video, Jen Lucas shows us how to crochet a basic dish cloth. This is the perfect project for new crocheters and a great choice for more experienced crocheters looking for a quick gift idea.

This project uses chains, single crochets, and double crochets. You will need some kitchen cotton yarn and a crochet hook that is the appropriate size for your yarn. For the pink sample, Jen used a kitchen cotton that is a little bit thinner than some kitchen cottons, so she used a slightly smaller crochet hook (3.75mm). Jen suggests using the recommended hook size given on the ball band or yarn label.

This pattern begins by chaining any even number of stitches. For the pink sample Jen chained 32 stitches; however, if you’re using a slightly thicker yarn, 26–28 stitches may be enough. Keep in mind that you can make this any size you want!

Jen starts her new mini-sample with a slipknot and 14 chains. She begins by working into the bottom of her chain because that is her preference, but notes that you may work into the foundation chain in whatever way you like.

Row 1 begins by working a double crochet into the second chain from the hook (the first chain counts as a turning chain), and is followed by placing a single crochet into the next chain. This is repeated all the way across the row: double crochet, then single crochet, until you reach the last chain. A double crochet is worked into the last stitch of the foundation chain. After completing Row 1, one turning chain is made, work is turned and is ready for Row 2. Row 2 will be repeated for the remainder of the dish cloth.

On Row 2 the turning chain is skipped and the first double crochet is skipped (this was the last double crochet that was made on Row 1). A double crochet is made into the following stitch. From this point on, a single crochet in the next stitch, then a double crochet into the following stitch, is repeated across the row and ending with a single crochet in the last stitch, and then a double crochet into the turning chain from the previous row. At the end of the row, one turning chain is made and the work is turned to get ready for the next row.

Jen demonstrates another repeat of Row 2, where she points out that after the turning chain is skipped, and after the first double crochet stitch is skipped, a double crochet is worked into the following single crochet stitch.

Conversely, a single crochet is worked into the next double crochet stitch. Knowing that double crochets are worked into the single crochet stitches—and single crochets are worked into double crochet stitches—can help you keep track of your stitches if you are able to distinguish the difference between a double crochet stitch and a single crochet stitch.

Jen shows us that this stitch pattern looks great in both solid colors and variegated yarn too. Give this dish cloth a try—you’ll really enjoy it!