If you’ve been looking for a simple, meaningful project that can be used for charity, gifts, or everyday practical items, this easy crochet bonding square and washcloth pattern is for you! The Brick by Brick design works up quickly, uses minimal yarn, and comes in two sizes: a bonding square (approx. 5″) and a washcloth (approx. 7″).

This unisex crochet pattern was designed for the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025, an inspiring event that gathers crocheters from around the world to create items for premature babies and their families.

What Are Bonding Squares?

Crochet bonding squares are small pieces of fabric, usually around 5” square, that play an important role in connecting preemies with their parents. Typically, two squares are made:

• One is worn close to the parent’s skin to absorb their scent.
• The other is placed with the baby in their incubator or cot.

These are swapped daily so that the baby can smell their parent when they’re apart, strengthening the bond even when they can’t be held.

If the squares aren’t placed into a memory box after use, they can also be repurposed as small face scrubbies or other practical items—making them a thoughtful, zero-waste crochet project.

👉 Don’t forget to add a finishing touch with my free printable bonding square gift tags.

Why Include a Washcloth Size?

While bonding squares are made specifically for preemies, I wanted this pattern to be useful for people of all ages. That’s why I included a slightly larger crochet washcloth size (approx. 7”).

Washcloths are incredibly versatile:

• Perfect for babies, children, and adults.
• Gentle on sensitive skin when made with cotton yarn.
• Ideal for everyday use or as part of a spa gift set.
• Handy for elderly care, offering a soft and practical handmade item.

The Brick by Brick crochet washcloth is just as quick to make as the bonding square, making it a wonderful stash-busting project and gift idea.

The Story Behind the Brick by Brick Design

The name Brick by Brick was inspired by two things:

1. The textured stitch pattern, which looks a little like small bricks stacked together.
2. The reminder that when preemies are born, their recovery is slow and steady—built brick by brick as they grow stronger.

This stitch pattern creates a gentle but durable texture, making it perfect for both bonding squares and washcloths.

Best Yarn for Crochet Bonding Squares and Washcloths

For this project, I highly recommend cotton yarn or high-content cotton blends. Here’s why:

• Cotton is natural and gentle on delicate skin.
• It reduces the risk of allergic reactions compared to synthetic fibers.
• It can be washed at higher temperatures—essential for hospital use and daily cleaning.
• It holds its shape and durability, even after many washes.

I also have a post on How to Choose the Best Yarns for Baby Projects that you might find useful. In it, I walk you through the key things to consider when making items for babies, along with some practical tips and yarn recommendations. It’s important to know that while some yarns may look beautiful, they aren’t always suitable for babies—and especially not for preemies in the NICU. Using the wrong yarn could mean your thoughtful donation can’t be used, so this guide will help you make sure your time and stitches truly count.

Each piece uses only 40–65 yards of yarn, depending on whether you make the bonding square or washcloth. That makes it an excellent scrap yarn project!

About the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025

The Preemie Crochet Challenge is hosted annually to encourage crocheters to make and donate handmade items for preemies and NICUs. In 2025, designers from across the crochet community are contributing free patterns like this one, to inspire giving and support families during such a tender time.

You can join in the challenge, find more patterns, and learn how to donate through the official event link:
👉 Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025

Each day throughout September 2025 there will be a new design featured. For at least 24 hours that design will be available as a free pdf download. This pattern kicks off the 2025 event. You can click the button below to grab your free pdf download or go to the roundup. Many of the fantastic patterns that featured are free on the designer’s blog posts!

Get the PDF Pattern

You can grab the ad-free PDF of the Brick by Brick bonding squares and washcloth in all my shops:

💡 Note: During the Preemie Crochet Challenge, the PDF is available as a free download ONLY from the button above and not the usual shop buttons below!

Pattern Specifics

Skill Level: Confident Beginner as it uses front post stitches.
Stitches Used: Chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), front post double crochet (fpdc)
Hook Size: 5mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: Not really important, but for reference my gauge was 7 sts and 5 rows of the pattern per 2”
Sizes: Bonding Square: approx. 5” x 5”, Washcloth: approx. 7” x 7”

Yarn: 40–65 yards of #4 weight cotton yarn (e.g., Paintbox Simply Cotton Aran, Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton, or similar). Note: you can make these pattern in 3 weight yarn too and a 4mm hook, but you may need to add 4 or 8 stitches to your starting count.

Special Stitches Used:

FDC (foundation double crochet) – This is an alternative to the chain start. I have both left and right handed video tutorials on how to do this on YouTube:

• For right-handed crocheters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPHOG4VIi_Q&t=191s
• For left-handed crocheters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqkTFzCja-A&t=24s

Front Post Double Crochet: This is worked the same as a double crochet but it is where you insert your hook to anchor your work to the row below that creates the difference.

YO, insert your hook around the next stitch (from the front to the back and back out of the front of the post of that stitch – see photo below. ), YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops on your hook, YO and pull through last 2 loops on your hook.

Alternate Double Crochet: This is an alternative to the CH3 start to the row and helps to minimize any gaps at the beginning of your rows. To work an alt dc: [sc, ch2] into the first st of the row.

Notes:

• Written in US Terms
• CH1 stitches at the beginning of each row do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. 
• Instead of working an alt dc you could CH3 stitches at the beginning of each row which DO count as stitches.
• The stitch count remains the same for each row. They are given at the ends of row 1 and 2 when each round repeat maintains the same stitch count.
• Where the pattern is different per size this will be shown as bonding square (washcloth) e.g. ch 19 (23)
• Please read the pattern and ensure you are comfortable with it before starting your project.
• You may end on any row before starting the border but will get a better finish if you can end with a repeat of row 2 or 4.

Free Crochet Bonding Square and Washcloth Pattern

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Row 1: CH 17 (25), DC in fourth ch from hook and each CH across. OR FDC 15 (23)

Row 2: Turn, Alt DC, DC in next 2 sts, *FPDC around the next st, DC in next 3 sts* Rep from * to * across. (15 (23) )

Row 3: Turn, Alt DC, DC in each st across.

Row 4: Turn, Alt DC, FPDC in next st, *DC in next 3 sts, FPDC in next st* Rep from * to * across until you have 1 st remaining. DC in last st.

Row 5: Rep row 3.

Note: to continue the pattern follow the repeat as described for your project below.

For the Bonding Square:

Rows 6 – 9: Rep rows 2-5 once more.

Row 10: Rep row 2.

Do not FO and continue onto the border instructions.

For the washcloth:

Rows 6 on: Repeat rows 2-5 until your project is square (i.e. the same height as it is wide).

Remember – You may end on any row before starting the border but will get a better finish if you can end with a repeat of row 2 or 4.

Do not FO. Continue onto the border.

Border:

 For this we will be working in rounds.

You can work the border with right or wrong sides facing you. If you have the wrong side there is a little more texture on the right side. This is personal preference and you may want to try it both ways to decide which you prefer. I worked my version with the right side facing me.

Round 1: Turn your work 90 degrees so you are working down the side of your project. SC 15 (23) sts evenly down the side, CH2, turn your work 90 degrees so you are working along the bottom of your project, SC in each st across. CH2 and turn your work 90 degrees so you are working up the side of your project, SC 15 (23) sts evenly up the side, CH2 and turn your work so you are working along the top of your project. SC in each st across. Turn your work 90 degrees. CH2, SS to first SC to join.

Round 2: Ch1, *SC in each st to the CH2 sp. [SC, CH2, SC] in the CH2 sp, turn your work so you are working along the next side*. Rep from * to * 3 more times. SS to top of first SC to join.

Note: if you want a chunkier border repeat round 2 as many times as you prefer.

FO and weave in ends.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making this crochet bonding square as part of the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025 or working up a set of crochet washcloths for your family, the Brick by Brick pattern is a quick, meaningful, and practical project. With just a little cotton yarn, you can create something that comforts, connects, and brings joy—one stitch at a time.

👉 Don’t forget to download my free bonding square gift tags to add the perfect finishing touch when gifting or donating.