Easy Relaxing Waves Crochet Washcloth Pattern – Perfect for Beginners
I’m so excited to share the latest addition to the Relaxing Waves collection – the Relaxing Waves Crochet Washcloth pattern! This washcloth uses the same beloved stitch combination from the Relaxing Waves Blanket, Throw Pillow, and Scarf, creating a beautifully textured and visually striking design. These are also free pattern on my blog posts!
Just like the other patterns in this collection, the Relaxing Waves Washcloth is worked without any increases or decreases, making it an ideal project for beginner crocheters.
With just a few basic stitches, you’ll have a cozy, textured washcloth that’s perfect for adding a handmade touch to your bathroom or kitchen. Plus, it’s a fantastic stash buster – you’ll only need around 60 yards of cotton yarn to complete it!
This washcloth makes a quick, satisfying project, perfect for gifting or for personal use.
So grab your yarn and hook, and let’s dive into this free crochet washcloth pattern! You’ll love how quickly it works up and the subtle wave effect that gives it such a modern, timeless look.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links – should you purchase anything using my affiliate link I may get a small commission at no extra cost to yourself!
Inspiration behind the design
There’s something truly therapeutic about the stitch combination in the Relaxing Waves Washcloth. I find myself drawn to this pattern time and again, especially when I’ve had a long or challenging day. The simplicity of the stitches is soothing, creating a rhythmic, meditative flow that lets me unwind and relax. It’s also incredibly beginner-friendly, so anyone can dive right in and enjoy the process. And when I start playing with different colors, the design transforms into something really striking – each color change seems to breathe new life into the gentle wave pattern. It’s a little escape in yarn form, and it never fails to lift my spirits.
Gifting these handmade washcloths has also become a special part of my holiday tradition. Every year, my family seems to request more, and what started as a simple gift idea has grown into one of the most popular items I make!
You might think a washcloth would be a bit plain, but no – they love them! I usually create a set and pair them with the recipient’s favorite bath essentials, like lotions, soaps, and sometimes a basket if I have the time. Many of my family members have sensitive skin, so they appreciate the soft, hypoallergenic cotton that can be easily washed and dried.
Recently, with a little baby boom in the family, the mums-to-be have also started requesting soft cotton washcloths for baby bath time! For them, I’ve put together a gift basket with washcloths, baby shampoo, gentle creams, and talc. It’s such a meaningful touch, and I love that it gives me a chance to create something thoughtful and useful without the time investment of a full blanket.
Construction of the design
The Relaxing Waves Washcloth is made by working in rows, making it an easy and straightforward project to construct. For a neat finish, I chose to cut my yarn whenever I changed colors; since washcloths are small, I didn’t end up with too many ends to weave in at the end.
To create the striking wave effect, I recommend changing colors every other row – you’ll find notes in the free crochet washcloth pattern below to guide you through the color changes.
You can play with color combinations to make it truly your own: try alternating between two or three colors, or even using a unique shade for each “wave” to add a playful, vibrant touch. The choice is yours!
The Yarn I recommend for crochet washcloth patterns:
For the Relaxing Waves Washcloth, I highly recommend using a cotton yarn like Paintbox Cotton Aran or Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn! Cotton. Whenever I am in the US I always stock up on I love this Cotton!
Cotton and high-cotton blends are ideal for washcloths and other bathroom or kitchen projects because they’re easy to wash and dry, maintain their shape and colors, and continue looking fantastic year after year. In fact, I have some cotton washcloths we’ve been using for over six years now, and they’re still looking, feeling, and even smelling wonderful! Cotton is also a great choice for sensitive skin, making it perfect for anyone prone to allergies or irritation. Going with cotton means you get durability and comfort – a combination that’s hard to beat in handmade washcloths!
What about the Relaxing Waves Washcloth PDF pattern?
I have decided not to sell this one as a stand alone pattern in my shops at the moment – it might show up in a bundle of patterns at some point.
But I can absolutely contribute the pdf in events every now and again! And the pattern will always be free on my blog post below!!
The Holiday Stashdown CAL:
Between September 30 until December 12, 2024, there will be a new free crochet pattern by a different designer placed onto their blogs. These patterns include gifts, decorations, or wrap for the winter holidays. Each pattern is either a one-skein project or scrappy project using 100 yards or less in each color used, so you can use up your stash!
That’s not all – there are prizes to be won too! You can find out more about that here.
How To Join the 2024 Holiday Stashdown CAL
By the end of the CAL, you’ll have up to 22 fabulous winter holiday projects. You can join in by crocheting the patterns as you have time.
Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CALCentralCrochet and #HolidayStashdownCAL on all social media.
If you’d like to chat with other crocheters, join the CAL Central Crochet Facebook group, or visit this thread in the CAL Central Ravelry group.
The pattern specifics:
Materials:
| #4 weight yarn of your choosing – you will need approx. 55 yards 5mm hook Scissors Tapestry needle Stitch Markers optional to mark first or last stitch of the row. Measuring Tape optional. |
Gauge:
| Does not matter as long as tension is consistent. My gauge was 16 sts and 5 rows of pattern per 4”. |
Sizing:
Once completed your washcloth will be approximately 8” square.
Abbreviations used:
| Ch(s) – chain(s) St(s) – stitch(es) SC- single crochet HDC – half double crochet DC – double crochet TC – treble crochet YO – yarn over FO – Fasten off CA – Colour A CB – Colour B |
Other notes:
| – Written in US terms – Chain 1 starts do not count as a stitch. – Ch 4 starts do count as a TC – There are no special stitches used in this pattern. – I changed colours at the end of each sc row. – To change colours neatly on the final stitch change your yarn colour before the final pull through to complete the stitch. |
Special Stitches:
Treble Crochet: YO twice, insert hook into next st to be worked, YO and pull through, *YO and pull through two loops on hook* Rep from * to * twice more. Stitch completed.
The free crochet washcloth pattern:
** This is a free pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com 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!**
In colour A:
Row 1: CH30, SC in second CH from hook, SC in next CH, *HDC in next 2 sts, DC in next 2 sts, TC in next 3 sts, DC in next 2 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, SC in next 3 sts.
Rep from * across until you have 2 sts remaining (Note: you will have just worked the last 2 HDC of the repeat), SC in last 2 sts.
Row 2: CH1 (doesn’t count as a st), SC in first and each st across.
In colour B:
Row 3: CH4 (counts as a TC), TC in next st, *DC in next 2 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, SC in next 3 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, DC in next 2 sts, TC in next 3 sts.
Rep from * until you have 2 sts remaining (Note: you will have just worked the last 2 DC of the repeat), TC in last 2 sts.
Row 4: Rep row 2
In colour A:
Row 5: CH1 (doesn’t count as a st), SC in first 2 sts, *HDC in next 2 sts, DC in next 2 sts, TC in next 3 sts, DC in next 2 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, SC in next 3 sts.
Rep from * across until you have 2 sts remaining (Note: you
will have just worked the last 2 HDC of the repeat), SC in last 2 sts.
Row 6: Rep row 2.
Rows 7-on: Rep rows 3-6 in your colours of choice until your washcloth is square!
FO and weave in ends.
You may not want to work a border on your washcloth, but if you do here is a simple one that works well.
Border:
Because the main body of the washcloth is so visually striking, I recommend a simple edging that just finishes off the washcloth without competing with the design.
In color of choice:
Round 1: Attach yarn to the first stitch at the top of your blanket. ch1, work 2 HDC in first st, HDC in each st across to the last st of the row. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC]
Turn your work 90 degrees so you are working down the side, and work HDC evenly down the side until you reach the final st of the side (I found 6 sts in each of the 4 row repeats worked well for me – 2 in the smaller section and 4 in the larger section. If you work too many, your edge will start to ruffle, too few and your edge will kink in on itself). In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC].
Turn your work so you are now working along the bottom of your blanket. HDC in each st across to the last st of the row. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC].
Turn your work 90 degrees so you are working up the final side, and work HDC evenly up the side until you reach the final st of the side. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2,]. SS to first HDC to join.
Round 2: Ch1, *HDC in each st along, In the CH2 space work (2HDC, CH2, 2HDC), Rep from * 3 more times around your blanket. SS to join.
FO and weave in ends.
Don’t forget to tag me in your Relaxing Waves crochet washcloth pattern makes on Facebook and Instagram!
