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The pattern I’m sharing here as my very first is a very simple crochet washcloth. I taught myself to crochet by making washcloth after washcloth so that I could learn how to count stitches and keep my tension even. It took several attempts and different patterns that looked a lot like this:
until my skills improved enough to actually call my creation a washcloth! I also tried a large variety of patterns until I found the patterns I preferred to use as a finished product.
This pattern is a very simple beginner project using a combination of just single crochet and chain stitches.
Grit Stitch Washcloth
Abbreviations:
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
Materials required:
1 skein of 100% cotton yarn – I used “I Love This Cotton” available at Hobby Lobby in color “Christmas II”
Crochet hook, any size – I used my Clover Amour size H (5mm)
Chain 37
Row 1: Ch as described above, sc in the 3rd ch from the hook, *skip the next ch, 2 sc in the next ch; repeat from * until 2 ch remain, skip the next ch, sc in the last ch, turn. (35)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip the next st, 2 sc in the next st; repeat until 1 st remains, skip the st and sc into the turning ch, turn. (35)
Repeat Row 2 until you reach the desired length. Depending on your yarn, hook and gauge, the row number will vary, but mine is usually 34 rows.
Tip: I usually fold my project in half diagonally to check how “square” it is. In the photo below you’ll notice that I needed one more row to make it square:
Finishing: Ch 1, sc in the corner. Continue down the side of the washcloth, sc in each stitch. In the next corner stitch sc, ch 1, sc. Continue around entire project, repeating the corner pattern (sc, ch 1, sc) on each corner until you’ve completed a row all around your project. Join with slip stitch to the first sc.
I first learned the grit stitch and made a washcloth using this pattern from Moogly Blog, but adapted the pattern to my favorite size and edging. Please visit Moogly Blog for a great video tutorial on the grit stitch.
Here is also a picture series that shows where your stitches should go in the first two rows:
Thanks for visiting my blog for my first free pattern and for supporting CDM Handmade!
Happy creating!
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In “Row 1, chain as described above” , what does that mean. Above that all that was described was the stitches used. Also, in row 2 you state to repeat until 1 stitch is left, then you say skips that stitch and sc in the next stitch. THERE IS ONLY 1 STITCH LEFT, how do we skip it AND stitch in the next stitch. Some of us are new to this too and this is very confusing. I had to undo and redo this.3 times and it never came out right. If I am wrong please explain it to me.
Hi Anna! I’m sorry you’re having frustrations, I know how hard it was when I first started so I really do empathize!
When I wrote “chain as described above”, I simply meant the line right above where it says to “Chain 37”. I’m sorry if that was misleading!
In row 2, this is a tricky part that I can see where you might be confused. You do go until there is only one stitch left and then you put the last single crochet into the turning chain from the previous row, NOT into a stitch. I will try to post a picture in a little bit to see if that helps clarify for you. I hope this helps! Let me know if you get it to work!
I updated the post above, but here is a picture that might help:
love this stitch but have a question that might seem silly..in the photo where all 4 corners are folded is that a pot holder?
No, it’s just a fancy fold 🙂
Just finished making this pattern. Super easy and so pretty. Can’t wait to make more. Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering that too. It would make a nice potholder.
Hi! I love this pattern and it is coming along nicely for me ( I’m a newbie!). I would like to make the next one less wide but am unsure how to modify the foundation chain. Is it a multiple of 5 plus 2 or a multiple of 6 plus 1? Thank you for sharing this pattern!
Hi Carol, I’m glad you’re enjoying the pattern, and welcome to the hobby (addiction) of crochet! This pattern is very easy to modify to any width you like, your foundation chain just needs to be an odd number! Good luck!
Easy enough! Thank you for your reply!
Is there a way to print the pattern without all the comments? I love to read the comments,but I don’t like to print them as it takes so much extra paper. Thank you so much!
Hi Estelle! I don’t have a printable form if this pattern at this time, but if I am able to get one made in the near future I will be sure to come back to this comment to let you know!