Simple Double Crochet Dishcloth Crochet Pattern

This simple double crochet dishcloth pattern creates a classic, absorbent kitchen square worked in flat back-and-forth rows of standard double crochet (dc) using 100% worsted-weight cotton yarn. Starting with a foundation chain of 30 chains, you will work 28 double crochet stitches across for 14 rows—making it the ideal first project once you know how to chain and work a basic double crochet stitch. You can leave the edges plain for a fast, flexible washcloth or frame the square with a neat single crochet border and hanging loop.

This pattern is written in US crochet terms (where US double crochet dc is called treble crochet tr in UK terms, and US single crochet sc is called double crochet dc in UK terms). If you are brand new to the stitch or following shorthand for the first time, review our homepage guide on how to double crochet and our step-by-step tutorial on how to read a pattern.

Pattern At a Glance & Skill Notes

Materials and Gauge

Materials Needed

• Yarn: 1 ball of 100% Worsted-Weight (#4 Medium) Cotton Yarn (~75–90 yds / 69–82 m total, or ~65 yds Main Color + ~15–20 yds Contrast Border Color, estimate).
• Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8) aluminum or ergonomic crochet hook.
• Notions: Blunt metal tapestry needle (#16) for weaving in cotton ends, 2 locking stitch markers (highly recommended for marking the top of the turning chain on each row), and scissors.

Gauge

• Target Gauge: 14 dc × 7 rows = 4" × 4" (10 cm × 10 cm) in double crochet with a 5.0 mm hook.
• Because this is a kitchen cloth rather than a fitted garment, slight gauge differences will simply make your square a half-inch smaller or larger.

Choosing the Best Cotton Yarn: Unmercerized vs. Mercerized

• Unmercerized 100% Kitchen Cotton (Best for Dishwashing & Spills): Yarns like Lily Sugar 'n Cream, Peaches & Creme, Bernat Handicrafter, or WeCrochet Dishie have a matte, unsealed fiber surface that drinks up water and soaps up quickly.
• Mercerized 100% Cotton (Best for Face Washcloths & Scrubbing): Yarns like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or Schachenmayr Catania are treated under tension to seal the outer fiber wall, giving them a smooth sheen, zero splitting, and crisp stitch definition that resists mildew—though they absorb standing water slightly slower than unmercerized kitchen cotton.
• Why Avoid Acrylic or Cotton-Acrylic Blends?: Acrylic is a hydrophobic plastic fiber that repels water instead of absorbing it, traps kitchen odors, and will melt if you accidentally grab a hot pan lid with your dishcloth.

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet (UK: treble crochet tr)
• sc — single crochet (UK: double crochet dc)
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sp — space
• yo — yarn over
• RS / WS — Right Side / Wrong Side

Pattern Notes

1. Turning Chain Rule (Ch 3 Counts as the First Stitch):
   • On Row 1, you work your first dc into the 4th chain from your hook. The 3 skipped chains stand beside that stitch and count as the very first dc of Row 1 (1 turning-chain dc + 27 worked dc = 28 dc total).
   • On Rows 2–14, the ch 3 at the beginning of the row counts as the first dc. Therefore, you must skip the very first stitch at the base of your ch 3 and work your first full dc into the 2nd stitch of the row.
2. Don't Forget the 28th Stitch: Because every row starts with a ch 3 that counts as a stitch, the 28th (final) stitch of every row must be worked into the top chain (3rd chain) of the previous row's turning ch 3.
3. Stitch Marker Trick for Beginners: Each time you chain 3 to start a new row, clip a locking stitch marker into the 3rd chain (the top chain just below your hook). When you crochet back to that edge on the next row, you won't have to guess where the 28th stitch goes—just work right into the marked chain!
4. Customizing Width: Since there is no complex stitch multiple in solid double crochet, you can chain any number of stitches + 2 extra chains for the foundation turning height.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: Dishcloth Square Body (Ch 30 → 28 dc × 14 Rows)

Foundation Chain: With 100% worsted cotton yarn and a 5.0 mm (H-8) hook, make a slip knot and ch 30 loosely so your bottom edge stays as flexible as your top edge.

• Row 1 (RS): Yo, insert hook into the 4th ch from hook (the 3 skipped chains count as your 1st dc), yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice (2nd dc of the row made). Work 1 dc into each of the remaining 26 chains across. Turn. — 28 dc (Math check: 3 skipped chs = 1st dc; 4th ch from hook = 2nd dc; remaining 26 chs = 26 dc; 1 + 1 + 26 = 28 dc across 30 chains).

• Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout; clip a stitch marker into the 3rd ch if desired). Skip the very first stitch at the base of the ch 3. Work 1 dc under both top loops of the 2nd stitch, and work 1 dc into each of the next 25 stitches across. Work your final (28th) dc into the top chain (3rd chain) of the previous row's turning chain. Turn. — 28 dc (Math check: turning ch-3 = 1 dc + 26 dc in regular stitches + 1 dc in top of turning chain = 28 dc).
• Rows 3–14: Repeat Row 2 twelve more times until you have 14 completed rows and your dishcloth forms an even ~8" × 8" square.
  • For a Plain Unbordered Dishcloth: Fasten off after Row 14, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail, and weave in both ends securely.
  • For a Bordered Dishcloth: Do not fasten off after Row 14 (or fasten off Main Color and join your Contrast Border Color in the top corner); proceed to Finishing.

Finishing: Single Crochet Border & Optional Hanging Loop

Adding a single crochet border frames the raw side posts of the double crochet rows and helps the square hold its shape through dozens of laundry cycles.

Single Crochet Edging Round (Worked Around All 4 Sides = 124 sc Total)

Because our dishcloth is 28 stitches wide and 14 rows tall, working 2 single crochets (2 sc) into the side of each dc row end gives you 14 × 2 = 28 sc along each vertical side—matching the 28-stitch top and bottom edges!

1. Top Edge: With RS facing, ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sc in each of the 28 stitches across Row 14.
2. Corner 1: Work 3 sc into the corner stitch to turn 90 degrees smoothly. ( Note: If you count the 28th stitch as the center of the corner, work 2 more sc into that corner so each side has 28 side stitches plus 3 corner stitches; or work (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner space.)
3. Left Side Edge (Row Ends): Rotate 90 degrees to work down the side of the rows. Work 2 sc into the side of each of the 14 dc rows (inserting your hook around the side post or into the post space of each row end). — 28 side sc
4. Corner 2: Work 3 sc into the bottom-left corner space.
5. Bottom Edge (Foundation Chain): Rotate 90 degrees to work across the bottom of Row 1. Work 1 sc into each of the 28 foundation stitch bases across. — 28 bottom sc
6. Corner 3: Work 3 sc into the bottom-right corner space.
7. Right Side Edge (Row Ends): Rotate 90 degrees to work up the second vertical side. Work 2 sc into the side of each of the 14 dc rows up to the starting corner. — 28 side sc
8. Corner 4 (With Optional Hanging Loop):
   • Standard Flat Corner: Work 3 sc into the final corner space and join with a sl st to the first sc of the round.
   • Corner Hanging Loop: Work 2 sc into the final corner space, ch 10, work 1 sc back into that same corner space to close the loop, and sl st to the first sc of the round.
9. Weave In Ends: Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail, pull through to lock, and weave the tail through the inside of the border stitches in 3 alternating directions with a metal tapestry needle so it never works loose in the washing machine.

Variations (Sizes, Stripes, and Textures)

1. Four Custom Dishcloth & Towel Sizes

Since solid double crochet rows use any starting chain count (Desired dc count + 2), you can make a full kitchen set using this table:

2. Two-Row Farmhouse Gingham Stripes

Work 2 rows in Natural Cream, then switch to Sage Green (or Navy Blue) for 2 rows, carrying the unused yarn loosely up the side edge so you only have two tails to weave in at the end. When you work the 2 sc per row end border around the perimeter, crochet right over the carried side floats to hide them completely inside the border!

3. Textured Scrubby Variations

• Back Loop Only (dc BLO) Ridge Scrubbie: Work Rows 2–14 in the back loop only (except the 28th stitch in the turning chain, which should go through two strands for edge strength). The exposed front loops create raised horizontal scrubbing ridges that scrape dried food off plates effortlessly.
• Criss-Cross Textured Washcloth: Once you've mastered plain double crochet rows, try alternating crossed stitches using our criss-cross washcloth tutorial, or pair your dishcloth with a matching heat-safe linked double crochet pot holder.

Troubleshooting Common Double Crochet Dishcloth Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Author

Claire Vance is a crochet pattern designer, technical editor, and fiber educator at DoubleCrochet.io. She designs practical, beginner-tested home patterns and teaches stitch geometry using Craft Yarn Council standards.