Striped Crochet Washcloths in Single Crochet

Striped crochet washcloths are a useful way to practice even single crochet, tidy color changes and a border that turns a corner cleanly. The source offers two layouts on the same 34-stitch base: three narrow geranium stripes near one end, or two wider turquoise stripes arranged between ivory sections. Both samples use fine cotton and a single round of contrast edging. This guide explains the measurements that control the stripe placement rather than inventing one fixed row count for every yarn.

Materials and size

The original uses DMC Natura Cotton, 155 m per 50 g, in Ivory (N02), Geranium (N52) and Turquoise (N49). It allows a fingering-weight non-mercerized cotton alternative. Use a 3 mm / US D/3 hook, a yarn needle, scissors and measuring tape.

The nominal finished size is 20 cm / 8 inches square. The stated single-crochet gauge is seventeen stitches and twenty rows per 10 cm. A slightly different finished washcloth size is acceptable, but check your fabric before planning several identical squares. Cotton can change after its first wash.

Build the common base

The chapter uses US terms: sc is single crochet, ch is chain, sl st is slip stitch, RS is right side and WS is wrong side. Begin with ch 35 and work one sc into each chain from the second chain, giving 34 sc.

For each subsequent row, chain one to turn and work one sc in each stitch. The turning chain is not an extra body stitch. Count the first few rows and mark the first and last stitch if they are difficult to identify. An accidental increase at one edge makes the border much harder to work evenly.

Option one: narrow geranium stripes

Work in ivory until the panel measures approximately 12 cm / 4¾ inches. Change to geranium on the final yarn-over of the last sc. Work two rows in geranium, then two rows in ivory. Repeat the stripe sequence until there are three geranium bands, finishing with two ivory rows as directed.

The last ivory pair belongs to the end of the stripe sequence; read the repeated wording with the overall three-stripe target rather than adding indefinite extra bands. Measure the piece as you go. Row gauge determines the final height, so the source’s square size is approximate rather than a reason to stretch the panel aggressively.

Option two: wider turquoise stripes

Begin with an ivory section approximately 7 cm / 2¾ inches deep. Work four rows in turquoise, four rows in ivory and four rows in turquoise. Finish with another ivory section approximately 7 cm deep.

This arrangement combines measured end sections with counted stripe rows. At the stated row gauge, the twelve stripe rows occupy approximately 6 cm, giving a useful check against the overall 20 cm square. Do not substitute four centimeters for four rows: the stripe widths are specified by row count.

Make clean color changes

Work the final sc of the old color until two loops remain. Draw the new color through those two loops to complete the stitch, then turn and begin the next row. This keeps the visible stitch top in the next row’s color. Leave enough tail for a secure woven finish instead of tying a bulky knot at the edge.

Add the single-crochet border

With the right side facing, join the contrast shade anywhere along the edge. Work sc evenly around all four sides, placing three sc in each corner stitch. Slip stitch to the first sc and fasten off.

The row-end sides need an even distribution rather than a blindly copied stitch count from the top edge. Lay the washcloth flat as you work: a tight border cups the square, while too many row-end stitches ruffle it. Weave in the ends, wash according to the cotton label and reshape while drying. Compare the two samples side by side before making a larger gift set.

Frequently asked questions

How many stitches are in the square?

Thirty-four single crochets per body row, starting from a chain of thirty-five.

Are the turquoise stripes four centimeters wide?

No. Each turquoise band is four rows; the ivory end sections are measured at approximately seven centimeters.

What makes the border turn a corner?

Three single crochets worked into each corner stitch provide the additional turning space.

Original source and more crochet projects

Design credit: Striped washcloths, Crochet Colors Theory, printed pages 34–35 / PDF pages 36–37. This article explains the supplied source and its construction; it does not claim an independently tested sample. The photographs are from that source, and the checklist is an editorial reading aid.

Open the original pattern in Drive. Source location: Printed pages 34-35; PDF pages 36-37. Keep the original instructions and diagrams beside you when working the project.

For another project, explore Anima Floris crochet coasters, or Strand Basket pattern.