Holly Jolly Crochet Christmas Dishcloth – Free Pattern

Make your kitchen merry and bright this holiday season with this festive but functional crochet Christmas dishcloth!

Scroll down for the free written pattern, or purchase the ad-free, print-friendly PDF here.

Where to get this pattern

Why I Love This Crochet Christmas Washcloth

This crochet holiday dishcloth is the perfect way to bring cheerful colors and festive vibes to your kitchen or holiday table. Whether you use it as a washcloth, a trivet for hot dishes, or even a table mat, this pattern is simple, practical, and full of charm!

Using just two basic stitches – the half-double crochet (hdc) and the front post double crochet (FPdc) – this dishcloth pattern uses 3 colors to create a striking woven texture. The FPdc stitches give it depth and dimension, and once you get the hang of working around the post of a stitch, it’s a quick and enjoyable project!

While the sample is made in traditional Christmas colors, this crochet dishcloth can easily be customized for any celebration! Imagine it in:

• Valentine’s Day: Red, pink, and white.
• Easter: Pastels like yellow, blue, and pink.
• Halloween: Orange, black, and purple.
• July 4th: Red, white, and blue.

Skill Level

I have rated this pattern as “easy” because it really just does require knowledge of 2 stitches! If you’re familiar with basic stitches like hdc and ready to learn the FPdc stitch, you’ll love working through this pattern.

Pro Tip: Place a stitch marker around the second stitch in Row 1 to make it easier to locate your first FPdc in Row 3. This small step can make your project flow more smoothly. And after the first few rows, you likely won’t need the stitch marker anymore 🙂.

OK, Let’s Make This Holiday Dishcloth!

1. Gather Your Materials

Yarn

As for all my crochet dishcloths (and kitchen-based crochet projects in general!) this pattern works best with a worsted weight yarn in cotton or a cotton blend. For the sample pictured, I used Drops Paris, and you will find a list of suitable yarns in the pattern below.

Hook

A 5.5mm (I-9) crochet hook creates just the right texture – tight enough for durability but loose enough to make the stitches pop.

Other Supplies

You’ll need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and stitch markers are optional but can be helpful for locating FPdc stitches.

2. Grab Your Pattern

Before you start, take a few minutes to read through the instructions, especially if you’re new to the FPdc stitch. Familiarizing yourself with the flow of the pattern will make the project more enjoyable!

3. Tips for Success

The FPdc Stitch

The FPdc stitch is worked around the post of the stitch from the row below, rather than into the top loops. This creates a beautiful woven texture when worked in 3 colors. 

In this pattern, the FPdc stitch is worked around the post of the stitch two rows below. To do this, you’ll insert your hook in front of the previous row, wrapping it around the post of the stitch from two rows down. I definitely recommend using stitch markers to avoid any doubt about which stitch to work into!

Color Changes

Don’t cut your yarn between color changes! Instead, float the unused yarn along the side of your work and pick it up when it’s needed again. These floats will be hidden later by the border.

Customizations

This pattern is incredibly versatile, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

• Change up the size: This pattern is easy to adjust for size – simply chain any even number to start (this controls the width) and work more or fewer rows to achieve your desired length.
• Holiday themes: Switch up the colors for different holidays, like pastels for Easter or orange and black for Halloween.
• Solid colors: The textured stitches look stunning in a single color if you prefer a simpler design.
• Other uses: Beyond dishcloths, this pattern works beautifully as a trivet, placemat, or even a throw blanket if scaled up!

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Holly Jolly Washcloth – Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Easy

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• beg = beginning
• ch = chain
• FPdc = Front Post double crochet (see Special Stitches)
• hdc = half double crochet
• rem = remaining
• sc = single crochet
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)

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. If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row.
• When working Row 1, you might find it helpful to place a stitch marker around the second stitch in the row – this will make it easier when working your first FPdc stitch in Row 3.
• The sample is pictured in three colors, but the pattern also looks great in a solid color. If working in three colors, change color as per the instructions below. Do not cut yarn in between color changes, simply float the next color up the side of your work.

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 Opal Green (11), White (16) and Bordeaux (37) (82yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).

Project	Total yds/m	Each Color yds/m
Washcloth	117yds / 108m*	approx. 39yds / 36m*
Tea Towel	540yds / 495m*	approx. 180 yds / 165m*

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

5.5mm (I 9) crochet hook

Other Items

• Yarn needle

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Finished Measurements

Washcloth: 8.25″ x 8.25″ / 21cm x 21cm
Tea Towel: 14.25″ x 22.5″ / 37cm x 57cm

Size 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.

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Gauge

13 sts x 11rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over 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

Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)

Step 1: Yarn over, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, pull up a loop.

Step 2: [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice.

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Adjustments

Stitch multiple: 2 + 1
Starting chain multiple: 2 + 2

• To adjust the width of your project, simply chain any multiple of 2 + 2 to start.
• To adjust the length, simply repeat Rows 2-5 until you reach your desired length. It does not matter which row you end on

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

Written Pattern

Washcloth: With C1, ch 28. 

Tea Towel: With C1, ch 48.

Row 1: Hdc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [Washcloth: 27, Tea Towel: 47]

Change to C2.

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), hdc in first st and each st across, turn.

Change to C3.

Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in first st, *FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind FPdc just made, hdc in next st; repeat from * across, turn.

Change to C1.

Row 4: Ch 1, hdc in first st and each st across, turn.

Change to C2.

Row 5: Ch 1, hdc in each of first 2 sts, *FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind FPdc just made, hdc in next st; repeat from * until 1 st rem, hdc in last st, turn.

Change to C3.

Washcloth: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 23 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.25″/ 21cm in length.

Tea Towel: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 62 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.5″/ 57cm in length.

Continue to change color at the end of each row, following the color sequence “C1, C2, C3” throughout. Float the yarn loosely up the side of your work on each color change.Washcloth: With C1, ch 28. 

Tea Towel: With C1, ch 48.

Row 1: Hdc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [Washcloth: 27, Tea Towel: 47]

Change to C2.

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), hdc in first st and each st across, turn.

Change to C3.

Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in first st, *FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind FPdc just made, hdc in next st; repeat from * across, turn.

Change to C1.

Row 4: Ch 1, hdc in first st and each st across, turn.

Change to C2.

Row 5: Ch 1, hdc in each of first 2 sts, *FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind FPdc just made, hdc in next st; repeat from * until 1 st rem, hdc in last st, turn.

Change to C3.

Washcloth: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 23 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.25″/ 21cm in length.

Tea Towel: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 62 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.5″/ 57cm in length.

Continue to change color at the end of each row, following the color sequence “C1, C2, C3” throughout. Float the yarn loosely up the side of your work on each color change.

Border

For the border, you can continue on with the last color worked, or fasten off and join in your chosen border color.

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.

Video Tutorial → How to Single Crochet A Border

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

All done!

This crochet Christmas dishcloth is a fun and festive project that’s easy to make and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re gifting it to friends or adding it to your holiday kitchen, it’s sure to bring a touch of seasonal joy!

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