**Here is the story behind my inspiration for making this washcloth and the “In The Kitchen” series.  The FREE written pattern is located at the bottom of this post.**

A few weeks back I had a poll on our Instagram and Facebook pages asking if you all would prefer some household or amigurumi themed patterns for the approaching warm- weather months.

The vast majority of people responded that they would like to make some household items.

Fast forward a day or so and my husband burned his hand while using our very old and very cheap pot holders.  His response to me was, “you should crochet us some new pot holders so we can get rid of these ones”.

It all seemed to come together so perfectly.  I’ve also always wanted to make a hand towel and thought a wash cloth would make for the perfect trifecta.

So here we are with an “In The Kitchen” pattern series.  Over the course of the last few weeks we have released all patterns including: this washcloth, the Chamomile Tea Towel and the Earl Grey Pot Holder.

The star of this show is the sledge stitch, mixed with the very absorbent, and very soft 24/7 cotton yarn by Lion Brand Yarn.

I wanted all of these patterns to have a similar look, utilizing the same stitch and colors for all three. I just released a free picture tutorial for the Sedge Stitch, which is used for all three patterns.  And for those of you worried that it may look too complicated for your skill set- worry not!  All you need to know is how to chain, single, half double and double crochet! (YAY for easy and Netflix-worthy stitches!)

Since all three patterns are worked as either a square or a rectangle in the sledge stitch, I will not be providing the typical amount of step-by-step pictures- I have such confidence in the ease of these patterns I didn’t think it was necessary.

For this washcloth you will begin with a chain row of 60, then starting in the 2nd chain from your hook, you will begin the sedge stitch.

The first 6 rows will be worked in your first color (I worked with a minty green).  You will then switch to the second color for a row (I worked with brown) and pick up your third color for the next 4 stitches (I used a cream).

From here, you will work another 4 rows in the first color, and 2 more rows in the 3rd color.  Every row after that will be completed in the first color, and every single row will just be a repeat of the sledge stitch.

After working a total of 30 rows, your wash cloth will be complete! It’s that easy!

What You’ll Need

1 skein in 3 colors of 24/7 cotton yarn by Lion Brand Yarn (approximately 85 grams in primary color, 5 grams in second color, and 10 grams in 3rd color)

3.5 mm (US E) crochet hook

scissors

My Amazon Picks

Gauge Used

20 sledge sts= 4″

8 rows= 4″

Completed Measurements 

12″ wide

11″ long

Pattern Notes

I really enjoyed using Lion Brand’s 24/7 cotton yarn for this pattern, specifically for its drape and absorbency from the 100% cotton composition.  If you do not have access to this yarn- another cotton based, aran weight yarn should work fine as a substitute.

For each color change, I recommend pulling in the next color into the first chain of the row and securing the tails in place by working them into the subsequent stitches (for at least 3 stitches) to prevent less weaving in at the end.

This washcloth is the first of 3 patterns from our In The Kitchen line.  You can also make the matching Chamomile Tea Towel and Earl Grey Pot Holder.  If you would like to make all 3 you will need 2 skeins of the primary and 3rd colored yarns, and 1 skein of the 2nd colored yarn.

This entire pattern is made in the sedge stitch.  For extra help in working this stitch, check out our free tutorial found here.

Abbreviations Used

ch= chain

hdc= half double crochet

dc= double crochet

sk= skip

sc= single crochet

fo= fasten off

Pattern

Foundation [starting in the first color]: ch 60, (hdc, dc) in 2nd ch from hook, * sk 2, (sc, hdc, dc) in next, repeat from * across, sc in last ch, turn

Row 1: ch 1, (hdc, dc) into the last sc from previous row, *sk 2, (sc, hdc, dc) in next sc, repeat from * across, sc in last, turn

Row 2-4: repeat row 1

Row 5: switch to 2nd color yarn, repeat row 1

Row 6-8: switch to 3rd color yarn, repeat row 1

Row 9-11: switch back to first color yarn, repeat row 1

Row 12-13: switch back to 2nd color yarn, repeat row 1

Row 14-28: switch back to primary yarn, repeat row 1, fo weave in all ends.