We’ll explore 12 stitch patterns in this washcloth crochet-along – a combination of simple, plain ones and fun, textured ones – but with 6 sizes each and patterns for sport weight and worsted weight yarn, you can have any number of washcloths to use, sell and gift!
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You’ve been asking for more washcloth patterns so I thought it would be fun to do a mystery crochet a long. We’ll explore 12 stitch patterns I just love – a combination of simple, plain ones and fun, textured ones, but with 6 sizes each and patterns with 2 weights of yarn, you can have any number of washcloths to use, sell and gift!
Prefer a Video About This Crochet a Long?
Crochet a Long Details:
As I mentioned, each washcloth will come in 6 sizes, have free written crochet instructions here on my EyeLoveKnots blog, and a video tutorial to go with it. I will share instructions for a Sport Weight #2 Yarn as well as a Worsted Weight #4 Yarn, specifically, I will be trying out a new to me yarn – Queensland Coastal Cotton.
Queensland Coastal Cotton is a versatile, soft cotton yarn made of 100% cotton, and available in a Fine Weight #2 in both solid and variegated colors, as well as a Worsted Weight #4 in both solid colors and variegated colors.
I’ve been testing different cotton options to see which one I like the best for projects like washcloths, soap cozies, table runners, bags and more to use in future designs and offer for sale in my Yarn Crafts and Coffee Shop both online and in person, and with all the colors available in the Queensland Coastal Cotton line, I can’t wait to give it a try!
This yarn is available for pre-order. Queensland is a new brand for me and the Yarn Crafts and Coffee Yarn Shop so I am taking pre-orders to build up my stock with all your favorites. You can purchase through end of day EST on August 18th, 2024. Plug in code 081830PK to save 30% off your purchase! Free shipping in the US on orders of $75 or more, otherwise it’s a $10 flat fee.
Before we begin this Mystery Crochet a Long, we’re going to start with the 6 designs in my Let’s Crochet Some Washcloths, Vol 1 eBook. I’ll be updating those 6 crochet patterns to include the same 6 sizes (as they each only come in 1 size right size), adding the free written pattern to my blog (only 3 are available on the blog right now) and adding video tutorials for each one as well. They were originally written for Worsted Weight #4 Yarn, but I will be also adding instructions for the Sport Weight #2 Yarn.
Washcloth Crochet-a-Long Schedule:
So the Crochet a Long for the first 6 washcloths from Volume One will run from September 7th through October 12th, and the Mystery Washcloth Crochet a Long will run from October 19th to November 23rd with each design going live on Saturday so 12 Saturdays of crochet fun! There will be a Bonus Mystery Crochet Pattern released on November 30th.
With each pattern release, I will update this post with the links to each one just below.
What do I need to crochet sport weight washcloths?
- [Estimating] 40 – 185 Yards of Sport Weight #2 Yarn – I’m going to be using Queensland Cotton Fine
- F5/3.75mm Crochet Hook for Body
- E4/3.5mm Crochet Hook for Border
- Tapestry Needle
- Optional, Tape Measure (if gauge is essential to you)
- Optional, Jewelry Pliers
What do I need to crochet worsted weight washcloths?
- 70 – 200 Yards of Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn – I’m going to be using Queensland Cotton
- H8/5mm Crochet Hook for Body
- G6/4.25mm Crochet Hook for Border
- Tapestry Needle
- Optional, Tape Measure (if gauge is essential to you)
- Optional, Jewelry Pliers
Let’s Talk About Our Crochet Washcloth Supplies:
I haven’t worked washcloths in a sport weight before so I am estimating the yardages based on my experience with working lightweight beanies. I will have more exact yardages required once I have the yarn in my hands and can start working.
The reason I have two crochet hooks listed is because it’s possible that as I start to work the border on any one of the washcloths, it may start to ruffle due to a change in tension usually caused when working down and up the sides since we’re working into the side of the row instead of top and bottom. If this starts to happen, I will frog the border, and re-work using a hook that is one size smaller.
There are many fibers that make nice crocheted washcloths, though cotton yarns are used the most and are very durable for repeated use and washing. As I mentioned, I have been testing lots of different cotton yarns on the hunt for the best one to use for myself, recommend to you and sell in my shop. With that said, some great yarn alternatives for each one would be:
- Sport Weight: WeCrochet CotLin, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK and I might go so far as to say Juniper Moon Zooey, though I haven’t tested
- Worsted Weight: WeCrochet Dishie, Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton
Linen makes for a really lovely washcloth, and this is why I’ve said that Juniper Moon Zooey may also work since it’s 60% Linen and 40% Cotton – that seems like a great fiber content for a washcloth, though I have not tested this myself. When Linen gets wet it gets stronger, and it also gets softer and nicer with each wash, especially so when combined with cotton.
My top pick for worsted weight washcloths has been WeCrochet Dishie Yarn. This cotton yarn is colorfast, meaning the color is set and not going to fade or bleed. My experience with Lily Sugar n Cream, Bernat Handicrafter and Crafters Secret Cotton is that with one wash, the colors fade a lot, and some colors, like greens and blues, bleed if laid down on a surface while wet. It’s so disheartening to spend so much time crocheting a project only to have it ruined with one wash. I’ve heard that I Love This Cotton Yarn is also colorfast, and seems to be the choice for many crocheters that do markets as it’s also softer.
Gauge is only essential if the finished size of the washcloths is essential to you. If so, you’ll want to have a soft tape measure and check gauge. If not and you’re okay if your washcloth might come out a little bit smaller or a little bit larger, no need to check gauge.
Jewelry pliers are a great tool to use to help weave in ends, especially as cotton yarn can be quite tough on the fingers when weaving in with just fingers and a tapestry needle.
How do I Keep up with Pattern Updates?
First, you’ll want to make sure that you subscribe to my newsletter list, not only to receive the newsletter with all the goodies in your inbox, but also because EyeLoveKnots subscribers get access to Exclusive Subscriber Content, like the free PDF of crochet patterns (slowly adding them to my website) via Grow (which is also free). When you see the pop up over locked content, you can enter your email address and create a password that you will enter each time to see Exclusive Content on EyeLoveKnots, or other designers blogs if they use Grow as well. If you already have a Grow account, simply click the button that says Switch to Log In.
Secondly, I would love to have you join my Yarn Crafts and Coffee Facebook group! I will be sharing my own WIPs in there as well as the finished links when available. Please tell us about the yarn you’ll be using, ask questions and share photos along the way! This is an open crochet group so feel free to share other projects you’re working on as well. While this is a mystery, it is not a secret so feel free to share your projects on social media as well!
And lastly, you can purchase the eBook on Ravelry on sale for a limited time. Let’s Crochet Some Washcloths, Vol 1 and Let’s Crochet Some Washcloths, Vol 2 are currently available for $12 each through September 6th, 2024. On September 7th when the crochet a long kicks off with the first pattern update, the new sale price for each eBook will be $24, and when I complete the Crochet a Long at the end of September, the new regular price for each eBook will be $36 (that will be for 12 crochet patterns in each volume, each with 6 sizes).
Currently, in Vol 1 you can access all 6 patterns worked in worsted weight yarn and available in 1 size, and in Vol 2 there is only a welcome PDF included – no designs are available just yet. If you purchase one or both eBooks, each Saturday when I update the design in the eBook, you will receive a Ravelry update and see the update available in your Library.
Aside from the written instructions for each pattern, the PDF will also include at least 1 photo for each one, some washcloth FAQs at the end, and a couple pages of QR codes for the clickable links that are within the patterns (in case you print the patterns, and still want to check out the links).
Want a Sneak Peek?
The Shay Washcloths will be the first design in the Mystery Crochet a Long that starts October 19th. I will be remaking it in the Queensland Yarns, adding two sizes to this worsted weight version, and adding the sport weight version as well, but you can get started now if you would like with the free crochet pattern and video tutorial!
What if I don’t want to make washcloths? What else can I make with a washcloth pattern?
If you don’t want to make washcloths, you can grab your favorite yarn from your stash and follow the same written pattern to make afghan squares instead! Because cotton yarn is so relaxed, it produces a larger fabric so if switching up the yarn for say an acrylic or wool, you’ll most likely need to go up a hook size or two to get a similar size, but if the finished size isn’t essential, then feel free to continue with your preferred hook size for the yarn.
The finished squares can be sewn together to make a scarf, shawl, tote bag, wall hanging, rug, blanket, you can use them as appliques and so much more!
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