How to Crochet Kitchen Washcloths

Making a kitchen washcloth is a great way for the novice crocheter to practice basic stitches and improve consistency in yarn tension, while creating a useful handmade item. This inexpensive and simple project requires knowledge of only three basic stitches, the chain stitch, single crochet and double-crochet stitches. Worsted-weight cotton yarn is soft, absorbent and easy to work with. The pattern is worked in rows, with a border around the edge. The dishcloth's nubby texture is slightly abrasive but won't scratch non-stick pots and pans.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted-weight cotton yarn
• Worsted-weight cotton yarn, contrasting color
• 4 millimeter crochet hook
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Crochet a chain approximately 12 inches long. The chain must be a multiple of six stitches. Add three chain stitches for a turning chain. Turn. Do one double crochet stitch in the fourth chain from the hook. Do one double crochet stitch in each chain, until you reach the end of the chain. Chain three and turn. The turning chain will count as the first double crochet stitch in each row.

2. Do one double crochet stitch in each stitch from the previous row. Chain three and turn. Continue making double-crocheted rows until the washcloth is square or it reaches the desired length. Do not tie off. You will crochet a border, continuous with the washcloth.

3. Single crochet around the border of the washcloth. to round the corners, put three double-crochet stitches in each corner space. Tie off the yarn and weave in loose threads. Join a contrasting border yarn by inserting the hook under any edge stitch. Draw a loop of the contrasting yarn through the border stitching. Yarn over with both the working yarn and the tail-end. Pull both yarns through the loop on the hook. Pull the tail-end to tighten the knot.

4. Single crochet with the contrasting yarn, around the washcloth. Each corner will have three stitches in the previous row. Do three stitches in the second stitch in each corner and one stitch in each of the other stitches from the previous row. Tie off and weave in loose threads.