Herringbone Dishcloth

Learn how to create a beautifully textured, highly absorbent kitchen essential using a unique twist on a classic stitch.

Have you ever stood at your kitchen sink, looked at a sad, store-bought sponge, and thought, "I could make something so much better"? I certainly have. There is a quiet joy in replacing mass-produced utility items with beautiful, handmade pieces that actually work better than their commercial counterparts.

Standard dishcloths often end up floppy, full of holes, or completely useless for actual scrubbing. They wear out quickly and look drab on your counter. I used to struggle with finding a pattern that offered both durability and a modern look until I started experimenting with denser stitch patterns.

That is where the magic of handmade cotton comes in. By combining the right stitch with a sturdy yarn, you can create a durable, thick cloth that actually does the job. It holds soap beautifully, scrubs away grime, and washes up like a dream.

Today, we are diving into a project that solves all those kitchen woes. This design uses a gorgeous, dense stitch that mimics woven fabric, giving you the ultimate balance of beauty and utility. It is a quick win for your kitchen or a thoughtful housewarming gift.

If you love making practical items for your home, you might also enjoy exploring my curated collection of 11 Free Crochet Dishcloth Patterns for even more inspiration. But first, let's master this wonderfully textured square together.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Durable Texture: The dense stitch pattern creates a thick, scrubby surface that holds up to heavy daily use.
• No-Hole Design: A clever border technique ensures your edges stay neat and free of unsightly gaps.
• Easily Customizable: You can easily scale this project up or down to make matching hand towels or tiny face scrubs.

Materials You'll Need

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Medium / Category 4) 100% cotton yarn (Featured: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton in Ivory and Bruschetta)
• Hook: US Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors
• Yardage: Approximately 75 yards of worsted weight cotton

Gauge & Sizing

• Gauge: 14 sts x 11 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stitch pattern before border
• Sizes included: One size (easily adjustable)
• Finished measurements: 8 inches by 8 inches (square)

Abbreviations & Stitch Instructions

• ch: Chain
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• sl st: Slip stitch
• sc: Single crochet
• hdc: Half double crochet
• hhdc: Herringbone Half Double Crochet. Yarn over, insert your hook into the designated stitch, pull up a loop through the stitch and immediately slide it through the first loop on your hook. You will have two loops remaining on your hook. Yarn over one more time and pull through both loops to complete the stitch.

Pattern Notes

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
• This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
• The item is worked flat in rows, with a border worked in rounds.
• Keep your tension relaxed when working the slip-stitch portion of the stitch to prevent your hook from getting stuck.
• You can easily adjust the size of this square by starting with any chain length you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Main Body

To begin, chain 29. If you want to change the size, feel free to chain any number you like.

Row 1: Work 1 hhdc in the 3rd chain from your hook. Continue by working 1 hhdc in every chain across to the end of the row. Turn your work. (You should have 27 stitches, not counting your starting chain).

Row 2: Chain 1 (note that this does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hhdc in the very first stitch, then work 1 hhdc in each remaining stitch across to the end of the row. Turn your work. (27 stitches).

Rows 3-22: Repeat Row 2 until you have completed a total of 22 rows. Do not cut your yarn or fasten off yet! Your side edges might look a bit uneven right now, but our border will clean them up beautifully.

Working the Base Border

Mentor Tip: When working single crochets along the raw side edges where there are no defined stitches, insert your hook directly into the meat of the stitch or chain rather than the large gaps beneath them. This simple trick prevents large holes from forming. If you still see a gap, insert your hook a bit deeper into the fabric.

Without turning your work, chain 1 at the corner.

Work 2 sc in the corner space.

Distribute single crochet stitches evenly down the left raw edge of your square until you reach the next corner.

Work 3 sc in the corner.

Work 1 sc in each unused loop of your starting foundation chain across to the next corner.

Work 3 sc in the corner.

Distribute single crochet stitches evenly up the right raw edge.

Work 3 sc in the corner.

Now, slightly tighten your tension and work 1 sc in each stitch across the final row.

Slip stitch to the very first single crochet you made, then turn your work.

Adding the Textured Edge

Round 2: Chain 1. Work 1 hdc in the exact same stitch as your chain 1.

Pattern Repeat: (Slip stitch in the next stitch, then work 1 hdc in the following stitch). Repeat this sequence all the way around the edge of your dishcloth.

Finishing the Round: If your final stitch is a slip stitch, work an extra hdc into that same stitch, then slip stitch to your starting chain-1 to join. If your final stitch is a hdc, simply slip stitch to the starting chain to join. Fasten off your yarn.

Now, grab your tapestry needle and weave in those loose ends on the back of your work. If you need a refresher on how to secure your yarn ends so they never unravel in the wash, check out my guide on Weaving Crochet Tails.

Easy Variations & Custom Ideas

• Farmhouse Style: Use rustic, unbleached cotton yarn to match a cozy Farmhouse Dishcloths aesthetic.
• Striped Scrubby: Change colors every four rows to create bold stripes. You can learn how to make clean transitions with my guide on Seamless Crochet Color Changes.
• Mini Face Rounds: Start with a chain of 11 and work 8 rows to create gentle, reusable makeup remover pads.
• Picot Border: Replace the final textured round with a delicate picot stitch border for a vintage look.
• Hanging Loop: Chain 12 at one of the corners during the final round, then slip stitch back into the same space to create a handy hanging loop.
• Colour ideas: Try soft pastels for a spa-like washcloth, or bright primary colors for a cheerful, modern kitchen.
• Yarn substitutions: Any medium-weight 100% cotton yarn will work beautifully, such as Sable Sugar'n Cream or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton.

Common Troubleshooting & Fixes

• Problem: My dishcloth is curling up at the corners.
  Fix: This usually means your starting chain or your border stitches are too tight. Try using a hook one size larger for your starting chain, or make sure you are working a full 3 single crochets in each corner.
• Problem: I have big, unsightly holes along the side edges.
  Fix: Avoid crocheting into the large spaces under the row-end stitches. Instead, pierce your hook directly into the center of the stitch loops to anchor the yarn firmly.
• Problem: My stitch count is shrinking with every row.
  Fix: It is easy to miss the very last stitch of the row because the herringbone stitch leans slightly. Use stitch markers in the first and last stitch of each row to keep yourself on track.
• Problem: The fabric feels too stiff and cardboard-like.
  Fix: Cotton yarn has zero stretch, and the herringbone stitch is naturally dense. If your fabric is too stiff, go up a hook size to loosen up your stitches.

Care Instructions

To keep your handmade dishcloth looking its best, machine wash it in warm water with like colors. Tumble dry on low heat or lay it flat to air dry. Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can coat the cotton fibers and reduce the absorbency of your cloth.

Final Thoughts

There is something incredibly satisfying about using a utility item that you crafted with your own two hands. Once you master this stitch, you will want to make a whole stack of these for your home. If you want to try another classic style next, check out my Vintage Crochet Dishcloth Pattern. Happy crocheting!