Free Crochet Washcloth Pattern — Easy Granny Spike Stitch

A free crochet washcloth pattern that’s quick, useful, and perfect for leftover yarn. Soft enough for the bath, sturdy enough for the sink — use it as a washcloth or a dishcloth, whichever you need. Worked in the easy granny spike stitch and part of the Evergreen Collection, designed with Christmas gifting in mind.

Of all the things I make at Christmas, these little cloths are the ones my people love most — and the ones they’ve come to expect.

I didn’t plan that. I just made a batch one year, tied them with twine and a pretty bar of soap, and handed them out to neighbors and teachers. Now they ask.

I keep plenty for myself too — some in the kitchen, some in the bathroom, a few as face cloths. Nothing store-bought has ever felt as good as a handmade cotton washcloth, and this is the kind of gift that quietly gets used every single day.

They take an afternoon, they use up the cotton scraps I can’t bear to throw away, and they’re the perfect place to start if the granny spike stitch is new to you. Soft enough for the bath, sturdy enough for the sink — make it as a washcloth, a dishcloth, or both.

Why You’ll Love This Crochet Washcloth

I keep coming back to this one because it’s just so pretty. The color-blocked stripes give it a lovely graphic look, and the granny spike stitch adds a soft raised texture on top.

The color options are endless — narrow stripes or wide ones, two colors or more, festive Christmas shades or soft neutrals. The same stitch gives you a completely different cloth every time.

And the stitch itself is a dream to work. It’s a simple one-row repeat. It’s the kind of project you can pick up at the end of a long day and crochet without thinking.

New to the granny spike stitch? Start here. It’s small, quick, and forgiving — the perfect practice piece before the towel, the placemat, or the blanket.

Part of the Evergreen Christmas Collection

The Evergreen Christmas Collection is five free crochet patterns designed with holiday gifting in mind: this washcloth and towel set, a placemat with a matching napkin holder, a mug cozy, a wine cozy, and a cozy blanket. Each one uses the same granny spike stitch, so once you’ve made one, the rest fly by.

The full pattern is free right here on the blog — just keep scrolling.

If you’d rather have an ad-free printable PDF, the complete Evergreen Collection is available now in all my shops — five patterns plus printable gift tags. Individual patterns are available too in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

Free Crochet Washcloth Pattern — Granny Spike Stitch

Recommended Yarn: Any #4 worsted-weight cotton yarn works. I used: Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton Yarn. Color shown:

• Forest Green (Yarn A)
• Serene Spa (Yarn B)
• Parchment (Yarn C)

Yarn Substitution

• Lion Brand Yarn Cotton Hemp
• Paintbox Cotton Aran Yarn
• Premier Yarns Home Cotton

Yardage: About 83 yards total.

Hook: 5 mm or the hook to meet the gauge.

Gauge: 2” square = 5 rows x 12 ST (pattern stitches)

Size: 8 ½” x 8 ½” square

Abbreviations

• CH: Chain
• ST: Stitch
• STS: Stitches
• SL ST: Slip stitch
• SC: Single crochet
• HDC: Half double crochet
• DC: Double crochet
• SSC: Stacked single crochet
• YO: Yarn over
• SK: Skip
• Rep: Repeat

Pattern notes

• Teminology: Written in US terms
• Difficulty: Easy
• This pattern uses the granny spike stitch. Keep your tension even for the best finish. Photos are included, and there are lots of video tutorials on YouTube if you’d like to see it in motion.

Special stitches

Double crochet Spike Stitch: YO, insert hook into the indicated stitch from the row below, YO, pull up a loop to the height of the current row, YO, pull through 2 loops, YO, pull through the remaining 2 loops.

Crochet the dish/ washcloth

With yarn A, CH 36,

Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and each CH across, turn. (35 ST)

Row 2: SSC, *CH 1, SK next 3 ST, 3 DC in next ST; rep from * across until 2 ST remain, SK next ST, DC in last ST. CH 1, turn.

Note: Keep your tension nice and even throughout the pattern.

Row 3: HDC in first ST, CH 1, SK next 3 ST, *DC in next CH-1 SP, DC spike st in the middle SC from the row below, DC in same CH-1 SP, CH 1, SK next 3 DC; rep from * across, ending with DC spike st in the middle SC from the row below, DC in same CH-1 SP,  HDC in the last ST. Change to yarn B, CH 1, turn.  Cut yarn A.

Rows 4-7: With yarn B, repeat Row 3. At the end of Row 7, change to yarn C. Cut yarn B.

Row 6-24: With yarn C, repeat Row 3.

Row 25: With yarn C, HDC in first ST, *SK next ST, HDC in the next ST, SK next ST, *DC in next CH-1 SP, DC spike st in the middle DC of the 3 DC from the row below, DC in same CH-1 SP; rep from * across. End with a HDC in the last ST. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends, and you are all done!