Granny Spike Stitch Washcloth: Free Crochet Pattern

The Granny Spike Stitch is a delightful variation on the granny stitch that we all know and love! 

While it maintains the familiar blocks of 3 double crochets with a chain in between, the Granny Spike Stitch replaces the middle double crochet with a spike stitch worked two rows below.

This technique results in a pattern with fewer gaps than the regular granny stitch, making it perfect for quick blankets, cozy scarves, or practical washcloths like this one! 

The pattern repeat for this stitch is incredibly simple. Once you complete the two setup rows, you’ll only need to repeat row three for the desired length of your project. 

The pattern below is written for two sizes – washcloth and tea towel – but it also includes customization instructions so you can make any size you wish using the Granny Spike Stitch pattern.

Granny Spike Stitch Color Options

For me, one of the highlights of this stitch pattern is the endless color options!

For my sample project, I used three colors and changed color every row. The beauty of using three colors is that you don’t need to cut the yarn between rows. Instead, you can float the new color up the side of your work at each color change. 

This pattern also looks stunning with two colors, where you work two rows per color before switching. Or, you could use a variety of different colors for a perfect stash-busting project! Although, keep in mind that this method will result in more ends to weave in.

What You’ll Need for the Granny Spike Stitch Washcloth

Yarn

For my washcloth, I used Drops Paris in 3 colors – Tangerine (71), Beige (26) and Off White (17). This yarn is a worsted weight 100% cotton yarn, making it ideal for washcloths (or any projects where strength and durability are needed!). 

If using 3 colors, you will need approximately equal amounts of each color, plus a little extra if you choose to add a border.

The pattern below includes links to a variety of cotton yarns that are perfect for kitchen crochet projects.

Hook

You will need a 5mm H-8 crochet hook for this project (or whichever hook size allows you to crochet with an even tension). For the granny spike stitch, I found that keeping my stitches nice and tight helped to achieve maximum neatness. So, if you notice too many gaps in your project, try experimenting with a smaller hook to create a more compact fabric.

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Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• beg = beginning
• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• rem = remaining
• sp = space
• sk = skip
• SPdc = Spiked double crochet (see Special Stitches)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• tch = turning chain

General Pattern Notes

• Stitch count for each row is given in square brackets [ ] at the end of the row. If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row.
• Stitch count includes chains within the row.

Color Options

With this stitch pattern, you have lots of great options in terms of color!

1. Solid color

• no color changes required

2. Three colors (as pictured in the sample)

• Change color every row. 
• Do not cut yarn in between rows; simply float the next color up the side of your work on each color change.

3. Two colors (worked in pairs)

• Change color every 2nd row i.e. work 2 rows in one color, then change.
• If working in pairs using 2 colors, you do not need to cut yarn in between rows, simply float the next color up the side of your work on each color change.
• If working in pairs using more than 2 colors, you will likely need to cut yarn on each color change.

Color Changes

Change colors every row 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.

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Materials

Yarn

Any #4/Worsted/Medium weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend. The amounts given here are for Drops Paris in Tangerine (71), Beige (26) and Off White (17) (82yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).

	yds/m
	Total	Each color (using 3 colors)	Each color (using 2 colors)
Washcloth	96yds / 88m*	approx. 32yds / 29m*	approx. 48yds / 44m*
Tea Towel	381yds / 348m*	approx. 127yds / 116m*	approx. 190yds / 174m*

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

5mm (H-8) crochet hook

Other Items

• Yarn needle

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Finished Measurements

Washcloth: 8.5″ x 8.5″ / 21.5cm x 21.5cm

Tea Towel: 13.75″ x 22.25″ / 35cm x 56.5cm

Note: you can also add an optional single crochet border around the edge of your project which will add approx 0.5” / 1.25cm to the width and length.

Please see Adjustments section below for information on making this project in a different size.

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Gauge

15 sts x 9 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over granny spike pattern.

Note:

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 above.

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Special Stitches

Spike double crochet (SPdc)

A spike double crochet is a variation on the regular double crochet stitch. Instead of inserting your hook through the top of the next stitch, you will instead drop down to work into one of the previous rows. In this pattern, the SPdc is always worked 2 rows below.

Step 1: Yarn over and insert hook into indicated st 2 rows below.

Step 2: Working around the stitches just below, yarn over and pull up a long loop to the height of the current row. [3 loops on hook]

Step 3: [Yarn over and pull through two loops] twice to complete the double crochet as normal.

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Adjustments

Stitch multiple: 4
Starting chain multiple: 4 + 1

• To adjust the width of your project, simply chain any multiple of 4 + 1 to start.
• To adjust the length, simply repeat Row 3 until you reach your desired length.

Note: adjusting the size of your project will impact the amount of yarn required.

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Written Pattern

Washcloth: Ch 33.

Tea Towel: Ch 53.

Row 1: 3 dc in 5th ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 3 ch, 3 dc in next ch; repeat from * until 4 ch rem, ch 1, sk 3 ch, 2 dc in last ch, turn. [Washcloth: 32; Tea Towel: 52]

Row 2: Ch 2, sk first 2 sts, *(dc, SPdc in middle ch of starting ch below, dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts; repeat from * across, 2 dc in beg ch-sp, turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, sk first 2 sts, *(dc, SPdc in middle st two rows below, dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts; repeat from * across, 2 dc in beg ch-sp, turn.

Washcloth: Repeat Row 3 for a total of 19 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.5″/ 21.5cm in length.

Tea Towel: Repeat Row 3 for a total of 50 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.25″/ 56.5cm in length.

Continue to change color at the end of each row, following your chosen color sequence (as per Notes above).

BORDER (optional)

For the border, you can continue on with the last color worked, or change to the next color in the sequence.

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!

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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