This c2c moss stitch dishcloth features one of my favorite stitch patterns, but worked in a unique way! Rather than working from the bottom up, we will work from the bottom corner up to the opposite top corner.
Working in this way gives us a whole new perspective on what is definitely one of the easiest stitch patterns to learn. Basically, if you can make a chain and a single crochet, you can work this pattern!
How to Work the C2C Moss Stitch
To work this stitch pattern, you will start off in exactly the same way no matter what your finished size is going to be. You will begin with a little triangle and then keep increasing evenly at both the start and end of each row until you reach your desired width.
Next, you have two options, depending on if you want to create a square or a rectangle.
To make a square, you will immediately begin decreasing along both edges, and keep on repeating this until you reach the opposite corner.
To make a rectangle, you will work some “even” rows where you are increasing along one edge, but decreasing along the other. I call them “even” rows because the stitch count will not change due to the increase and decrease cancelling each other out.
Once your rectangle is the length that you want, you can work the decrease rows, just as you would for a square.
Check out the Crochet Dishcloth Series!
Want even more crochet dishcloths!?
Click the button below to view the full collection of 32 FREE crochet dishcloth patterns.
How to get this pattern:
Option 1: Scroll on down to get this pattern for free!
Option 2: Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF:
What You’ll Need to Make this Moss Stitch Dishcloth
Yarn
For this pattern, I used Drops Paris yarn in two colors – Apricot and Off White. I decided to go for a “color-block” effect where I worked all of the increase rows in one color and then the decrease rows in the second. This pattern looks just as good worked in a solid color, or even stripes.
For most of my crochet dishcloth patterns I like to add a single border around the edge to finish it off nicely. However, this time, I decided to omit the border as the edge is already quite neat, and I didn’t want to throw off the color-block effect.
The pattern below includes links to a variety of cotton yarns that are perfect for dishcloths.
Hook
You will need a 5.5mm I/9 crochet hook for this project (or whichever hook size allows you to crochet with an even tension). This stitch pattern can sometimes create a slightly stiff fabric if you use a very small hook so feel free to adjust the hook size, depending on how tightly/loosely you crochet.
C2C Moss Stitch Washcloth
Video Tutorial
Insert YouTube thumbnail here and add link to YouTube video.
C2C Moss Stitch Washcloth
Free Crochet Pattern
Pattern Notes
Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.
Skill Level
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- beg = beginning
- C1 = Color 1
- C2 = Color 2
- ch = chain
- ch-# sp = chain space, # denotes number of chains
- rem = remaining
- sk = skip
- sc = single crochet
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Construction
- This project is worked in rows starting from the bottom corner and ending at the opposite top corner.
- To work a square (as for the washcloth) you will:
- Work increase rows until you reach your desired width and length.
- Work the same number of decrease rows until you reach the top corner.
- To work a rectangle (as for the tea towel) you will:
- Work increase rows until you reach your desired width.
- Work even rows (i.e. increasing along one edge, but decreasing along the other, therefore keeping the stitch count the same) until you reach your desired length.
- Work decrease rows until you reach the top corner.
General Pattern Notes
- Ch 1 at the start of a row does not count as a stitch.
- Stitch count for each row is given in square brackets [ ] at the end of the row. Stitch count includes chains within the row, but does not include the turning ch 1 at the start of a row.
- If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row.
- The sample is pictured in two colors, but feel free to use any combination of colors that you wish.
Color Changes
If you wish to change color at any point, do so as follows:
- With working yarn, finish row as normal.
- Keeping working yarn to the back of your work, yarn over new color and pull through.
- Pull gently on previous color to pull the new color into the correct starting position for the next row.
- With the new color, work next row as per pattern.
Materials
Yarn
Any #4/Worsted/Medium weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend. The amounts given here are for Drops Paris in Apricot (01) and Off White (17) (82yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).
| Project | Total Yds/m |
|---|---|
| Washcloth | 95 yds / 87m (approx. equal amounts of each color if working in 2 colors) |
| Tea Towel | 400 yds / 366m |
Alternative yarn options:
- WeCrochet Dishie (190 yds/174m per 100g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (93 yds / 85m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (186 yds/170m per 100g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Rico Creative Cotton Aran (93 yds / 85m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream (94yds / 86m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
Hook
Other Items
- Yarn needle
Finished Measurements
Washcloth: 8.75″ x 8.75″ / 22cm x 22cm
Tea Towel: 14.25″ x 22″ / 36cm x 56cm
Please see Adjustments section below for information on making this project in a different size.
Gauge
17 sts x 16 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over moss stitch pattern.
Notes:
- The stitch count given above includes both single crochet (sc) and chain spaces (ch-sps).
- Gauge is not critical for this project. However, if your gauge does not match the one listed above then your project may turn out a little larger/smaller depending on how loosely/tightly you crochet, and you may use a different amount of yarn than what is listed below.
Adjustments
- To adjust the width of your project, work the INCREASE ROWS section until you reach your desired width.
- To create a square, go straight to the DECREASE ROWS section and work to the end.
Note: adjusting the size of your project will impact the amount of yarn required.
Written Pattern
INCREASE ROWS (BOTH SIZES)
Ch 2.
Inc Row 1: (Sc, ch 1, sc) in second ch from hook, turn. [3]
Inc Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), sc in first st, ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in last st, turn. [5]
Inc Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in last st, turn. [7]
Inc Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem, ch 1, sc in last st, turn. [9]
Washcloth: Repeat Inc Row 4 for a total of 25 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.75″/ 22cm along each edge. Each row will increase the stitch count by 2. [Stitch count at end of Row 25: 51]
Go to “DECREASE ROWS”.
Tea Towel: Repeat Row 4 for a total of 40 rows, or until work measures approx. 14.25″/ 36cm along each edge.
Each row will increase the stitch count by 2. [Stitch count at end of Row 40: 81]
Go to “EVEN ROWS”.
EVEN ROWS (RECTANGLE ONLY)
In this section, you will work an increase along one edge and a decrease along the other edge, therefore keeping the stitch count the same on each row.
Even Row 1: Ch 1, sk first st, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem, ch 1, sc in last st, turn. [81]
Even Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 3 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, sc2tog over next ch-1 sp and last st, turn.
Repeat Even Rows 1 and 2 until you have worked a total of 62 rows or until work measures approx. 22″/ 56cm along the long edge.
Go to “DECREASE ROWS”.
DECREASE ROWS (BOTH SIZES)
Dec Row 1: Ch 1, sk first st, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 3 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, sc2tog over next ch-1 sp and last st, turn. [Washcloth: 49; Tea Towel: 79]
Repeat Dec Row 1 until just 3 sts rem. Each row will decrease the stitch count by 2.
Last Dec Row: Ch 1, sk first st, sc2tog over next ch-1 sp and last st.
BORDER (optional)
I chose not to work a border for this washcloth as the moss stitch pattern creates quite a neat edge and I felt that a border would disrupt the color-block effect. If you do wish to work a border you can do so as follows:
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc evenly around the edge of your work, working 3 scs to turn each corner. Join to beg sc with a sl st or invisible join.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
All done!
If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry or Etsy.
I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!
Happy crocheting!
Sarah