This Crochet Dishcloth Is Part of a Matching Set That Also Includes Potholders

Brighten up your kitchen with this vibrant multicolored crochet dishcloth worked in stripes of red, yellow and blue. You’ll use Afghan stitch to create unique color blends that add visual interest to the striped design. The result is an interesting crochet project that holds your attention while you are working on it, and will add vivid color to your kitchen when you’re finished.

See Also: Dishcloth Patterns | Tunisian Crochet Patterns | Kitchen Craft Ideas

Supplies You’ll Need for Making the Color Mix Afghan Stitch Crochet Dishcloth:

Yarn:

For each dishcloth, you’ll need a total of approximately 1.5 oz. of worsted weight cotton yarn in 3 different colors:

• Red
• Yellow
• Blue

Crochet Hooks

For the Body of the Dishcloth: You’ll need a size J / 10 /6.0 mm afghan crochet hook measuring 10+ inches long, or your preferred size.

For the Edging: An ordinary J hook is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust up or down if you notice a significant difference in tension between the body of the dishcloth and the edging. I used a size H hook to crochet the edging when I made my sample dishcloth.

Other Materials: Tapestry needle and safety pins

Abbreviations List:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Pattern Notes

• Since afghan stitch has a tendency to curl up, your work is likely to curl. Don’t worry; once you add the edging, your dishcloth will lie flat.
• Striped patterns such as this one can generate lots of loose ends. If you’d rather not weave in excessive numbers of loose ends, don’t bother cutting the yarns when you work the two-color rows; just drop the yarns when you are finished with them, and pick them up again when you need them next.

Finished Dishcloth Dimensions

The finished dishcloth measures approximately 8 inches square before washing. This measurement includes the edging.

Gauge:

11 stitches = 3 inches while working in afghan stitch / Tunisian simple stitch. The row gauge isn’t critical for this project.

How to Crochet the Dishcloth

Ch 24. To make it easier to add the edging, work into the backs of your chain stitches; this leaves the front loops free to work into when you want to add the edging later.

Work in afghan stitch until directed otherwise.

Rows 1-3: Work in red yarn.

Row 4: Work the forward pass in red, and the return in blue.

Row 5: Work the forward pass in blue yarn, and the return in red.

Row 6: Work the forward pass in red, and the return in blue; cut the red yarn.

Rows 7-9: Work in blue yarn.

Row 10: Work the forward pass in blue, and the return in yellow.

Row 11: Work the forward pass in yellow, and the return in blue.

Row 12: Work the forward pass in blue, and the return in yellow.

Row 13-15: Work in yellow yarn.

Row 16: Work the forward pass in yellow, and the return pass in red.

Row 17: Work the forward pass in red, and the return in yellow.

Row 18: Work the forward pass in yellow, and the return in red; cut yellow yarn.

Row 19-21: Work in red yarn.

Row 22: Work one slip stitch in each vertical bar all the way across the row. Work one last slip stitch into the end of the row, in the same spot you’d ordinarily work the last afghan stitch in the row.

Weave in all the loose ends before crocheting the edging.

Edging Instructions for the Dishcloth:

Switch crochet hooks; you’ll use a traditional crochet hook to work the edging, instead of the longer afghan hook.

The edging is worked in rounds.

Edging Round 1: Attach yellow yarn and Ch 1. Sc in each stitch, all the way around. When you get to the corners: (sc, ch 2, sc) and then continue working sc. At the end of the round, you’ll join with a sl st and change colors to blue.

Edging Round 2: Repeat round 1, except that you’ll use blue yarn; when you get to the corners, work 1 sc into the corner ch-2 space, then ch 2, then work another sc into the same ch-2 space. At the end of the round you’ll change colors to red yarn.

Edging Round 3: Repeat round 2 using red yarn; at the end of the round, join with a sl st and do not change colors.

Edging Round 4: Work 1 slip stitch in each sc all the way around. When you get to the corners, work a slip stitch into the ch-2 corner space. When you’ve worked slip stitches all the way around the dishcloth, end off, leaving a tail of yarn at least 6 inches long.

Decorative Slip Stitch Detail:

Using yellow yarn, crochet a round of decorative slip stitches in surface crochet on the face of the dishcloth. Your guideline for placing these stitches will be the spot where the single crochet touches the afghan stitch. After you’ve worked slip stitches the whole way around the dishcloth, end off.

Finishing the Dishcloth:

Weave in the loose ends carefully using a tapestry needle. Your work will be visible on the back of the dishcloth, so try to be as neat as you can.

Related Resources

This dishcloth is part of a matching set. Click here to find the free crochet pattern for the matching potholders.

 

More Crochet Dishcloth and Washcloth Patterns

• Beginner’s Half Double Crochet Dishcloth — Free Pattern
• Single Crochet Sampler Washcloth — Free Pattern

More Kitchen Accessory Craft Ideas

• Crochet Potholder Patterns
• Placemat Patterns
• Coaster Patterns

 

Posted By: Amy Solovay

This page was last updated on 8-16-2023.