Make This Free Crochet Washcloth Pattern In Less Than An Hour

Whether you want to use up some of your cotton stash, create a quick gift that is suitable for anyone, or try a new stitch, crochet washcloth patterns are perfect!

Washcloths are one of those small but mighty crochet patterns; they do not take long to work up but they will be appreciated and well used!

And this one should take most crocheters less than an hour to work up.

When I first started crocheting washcloths I was a little nervous about gifting them. Silly, eh?

Just about everyone who has received a crochet washcloth from me has come back and requested more either for themselves or to gift themselves. And if you team it with some beautiful soaps or other bathroom essentials they really do make a great gift idea.

The Highland Neamh Crochet Washcloth pattern is listed as being for confident beginners because it uses crossed double crochets. But do not let this intimidate you… I have both right and left handed video tutorials linked below that take you through how to work up the entire washcloth.

So even new crocheters should be able to give this crochet washcloth pattern a good go.

Please note, this post may contain affiliate links – should you purchase anything using my affiliate links I may get a small commission at no extra cost to yourself!

Inspiration behind the design

This particular crochet washcloth pattern is the latest addition to my Highland Neamh Collection. It uses the same stitch combination as all of the other patterns in this collection.

I think it adds a little bit of something to this fairly simple unisex design. If you can half double crochet, double crochet and chain (US terms) then you can make this washcloth pattern.

For beginner crocheters the crossed double crochets may take a moment to get your head around, but following the videos linked below will absolutely help with these.

When you have given this washcloth a go you may also want to check out:

• Highland Neamh Scarf (free pattern on the blog)
• Highland Neamh Cocoon Cardigan (free pattern on the blog)
• Highland Neamh Cowl and infinity scarf (free on the blog)
• Highland Neamh Tee (written for adult sizes XS to 5XL)
• Highland Neamh Wrap (written for adult sizes XS to 5XL)

Construction of the design

Like most crochet washcloth patterns, this one is written in rows. And it uses only the basic crochet stitches, so is a great pattern for all skill levels.

The stitches you will need to know are:

• Chains
• Single crochets (double crochets in UK terms)
• Half double crochets (half treble crochets in UK terms)
• Double crochets (treble crochets in UK terms)

The centre portion of the washcloth is made with simple half double crochets. It creates a fabric with only smaller holes allowing the soap can froth nicely and the washcloth to be easily used. And the textured sections at the top and bottom of the Highland Neamh Washcloth pattern provide a little bit of a unisex decorative edge that just finishes this washcloth pattern off perfectly.

The Yarn

If you are just practising you can use any yarn and an appropriate sized hook that you have on hand.

I recommend that you use 100% cotton yarn if you are making this crochet pattern to use or gift as a washcloth. Some of my favourite suitable cotton yarns are Dishie Cotton by KnitPicks, Paintbox Cotton Aran from Lovecrafts and Hobby Lobby’s I Love this Cotton.

Why use cotton?

Cotton is very hard wearing. It is surprising how a washcloth made with cotton will be used for years and looks great for almost as long!

Cotton is very easy to look after. I can throw mine in the washing machine and tumble dryer without you worrying too much about it.

I have found that cotton is great for even the most sensitive skin types. This is important in our house – both myself and my daughter suffer from eczema.

Get the PDF pattern!

You can find the ad-free PDF Pattern for this one in all of my shops:

Note: If you are here for the Winter Washcloths event these buttons WILL NOT get you the free pdf pattern – please use the special event button below!

Tester Appreciation:

I had some wonderful testers for this one! Although it is a quick project, testing a pattern sometimes can take time even with quick projects. Thankfully this one was straightforward. Check out the crochet washcloths that my amazing testers worked up…

The pattern specifics:

Materials:

Any 4 weight cotton yarn of your choosing – I used 74 yards of Dishie Cotton from WeCrochet. 5mm hook Scissors Tapestry Needle Stitch Markers optional to mark first or last stitch of the row.

Gauge:

8 sts and 7 rows of hdc in 2” – although this is a washcloth pattern so gauge is not terribly important.

Sizing:

Approximately 9” by 9” unblocked.

Abbreviations used:

CH(s) – chain(s) St(s) – Stitch(es) Rep – Repeat Sk – skip HDC—half-double crochet  DC – double crochet XS – Crossed double crochet stitch FO—fasten off YO—yarn over

Special Stitches:

Crossed DC Stitch (XS): This stitch is worked over 2 sts. *YO, sk 1 st, insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook (DC made). YO, working behind the st you have just made and into the skipped stitch insert your hook from the front of the st to the back (it may feel a little awkward) and complete a DC in this st. X st is made.

Other notes:

Written in US terms. St counts are given at the end of row 1 only in brackets as it should remain the same throughout. Ch1 start does not count as a st unless stated otherwise. Ch3 counts as a DC. CH4 counts as a DC, CH1.

Video Tutorials for the Highland Neamh crochet washcloth pattern:

The Highland Neamh 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!**

Row 1: CH 36, DC in 4th ch from hook and in each CH across. (34 DC)

Row 2: Turn, CH3, sk the first st, DC in the next st, working behind the DC just made DC into the skipped st *sk next st, DC in next st, working behind the DC just made DC into the skipped st. Rep from * across until you have 1 st remaining, DC in last st. 

Row 3: Turn, CH4, *sk next st, (dc and ch1) between the two posts of the next XS from the previous round until you have 1 st remaining. DC in last st.

Row 4: Turn, Ch3 (counts), working only into the ch1 spaces, sk the first ch1 space, *dc into the next ch1 space, working behind this st dc into the skipped ch1 space. Rep from * across until you have worked the last CH1 space, DC into the top of your turning CH from the previous row.

Row 5: Turn, Ch3 (counts), Dc in next st and each st across.

Rows 6-18 : Turn, CH2, HDC in next st and each st across.

Row 19: Rep row 5. (34 DC)

Row 20: Rep row 2.

Row 21: Rep row 3.

Row 22: Rep row 4.

Row 23: Rep row 5.

Optional border:

You can add a sc border around your washcloth if you would like to making sure to work sc, ch1, sc into each corner st. 

Here’s how I did mine:

Turn, ch1, SC in first st and each st across until I reached the final st, [SC, CH1, SC] in corner st,

Turn your washcloth so that you are working along the side, sc 39 sts evenly down the side. [SC, CH1, SC] in corner st,

Turn your washcloth so that you are working along the bottom, sc in next st and each st across until I reached the final st, [SC, CH1, SC] in corner st,

Turn your washcloth so that you are working along the side, sc 39 sts evenly down the side. [SC, CH1] in corner st and ss to first sc to join.

FO and weave in ends.

This pattern featured in:

The Winter Washcloth Series hosted by Michelle at Two Brothers Blankets in January 2024. You can check out the roundup here and the bundle is also always available to purchase here.