Things You'll Need
100 yards 100 percent cotton worsted weight yarn
4 mm (G) crochet hook
A crocheted dishcloth can to bring a bit of homespun happiness into your kitchen or the kitchen of a loved one. Wash cloths are easy, useful and work up quickly, making them a good starter project for a beginning crocheter and a nice "extra" to add to a last-minute gift. To clean, toss them in the washer and dryer, though dark-colored cotton may bleed; put those in with darks on cold in the first couple of times through the wash cycle.
Getting Started
Step 1
One-hundred percent cotton yarn is the best kind of yarn for dishcloths. It is sturdy, and it feels good in your hands. You can also use acrylic yarn, if you intend on using it to wash dishes only, but it won't wick away moisture like cotton will. Worsted (four-ply) is a good weight for dishcloths, as it works up quickly and produces a nice, thick fabric. Size G is a good choice for worsted weight yarns, but if the fabric feels too loose or too stiff, go up or down a size.
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After you've chosen your yarn, chain 31 stitches, or as many stitches as forms the width you want your dishcloth to be. Gauge isn't important to the project. To tell how big your washcloth will be, create a few rows, and then measure stitches per inch. If you want it bigger or smaller than your estimated size, start over with a H or F hook.
Step 2
Single crochet (sc) into the second chain in from the hook. Single crochet is worked by inserting the hook into the stitch, wrapping your yarn around the hook (yarn over, or YO), and pulling a loop through. You will have two loops on your hook. Yarn over once more, and pull through both loops.
Step 3
Work a sc in each stitch. When you reach the end of your row, chain one and turn. Skip over that chained stitch, and sc in the first stitch of the dishcloth and then in each stitch across. When you reach the end, chain one and turn, and continue working back and forth until you've made a square -- approximately 30 rows.
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Finishing Up
Step 1
Single crochet around the perimeter of the dishcloth to neaten up the edges, placing two sc in each corner -- one stitch for each side you're making.
Step 2
On the side of the dishcloth, it may be a little harder to find where to insert your hook to create a stitch. Spread the fabric apart a bit and place your hook into the the turning chain spaces at the end of each row.
Step 3
When you have single-crocheted around the perimeter of the dishcloth, work a slip stitch into the first stitch of your edging. Fasten off by cutting your yarn, leaving a 6-inch string. Use your crochet hook to pull the string through the remaining loop on your hook.
Weave the tail into a nearby row of stitches with a yarn needle. Cover at least four stitches. Then weave the end in the opposite direction on an adjacent row. This avoids the tail coming out when the fabric is pulled.
Step 4
If the edges of your dishcloth curl up, soak it in lukewarm water and lay it flat to dry. This is called blocking.
Tip
Chain a little loop at one corner of the dishcloth so that it can be hung up to dry after use.
After you're comfortable, experiment with stripes.
If you wish to use a contrasting color for the edging, finish off the washcloth, then attach a second color of yarn to your hook. Leave a tail for weaving in later. Attach the second color with a slip stitch by inserting the hook into the first stitch, yarning over and pulling a loop through the stitch as well as the loop left on the hook. Then sc around the perimeter of the cloth, join in the first border st with a slip st, finish off, and weave in the end.
If you want to add a second row of the contrasting color, after you complete the first row, sl st in the first border st to complete the round and chain one. Then sc around again, join when the round is complete and then finish off.