Tunisian Alpine Stitch Washcloth: Free Pattern

Learn the Tunisian Alpine Stitch with this fun Tunisian crochet washcloth project, perfect for honing your skills while creating something useful!

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 Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth

If you’ve dabbled in Tunisian crochet and are ready to try something new, this Tunisian Alpine Stitch Dishcloth is the perfect project for you! With its beautiful texture and rich autumnal plum color, it’s a stylish and practical addition to any kitchen.

The stitch pattern features a super-easy repeat that combines the Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) and Tunisian double crochet (Tdc) to create a rich texture similar to the regular alpine stitch used in standard crochet.

This dishcloth is not only functional but also gives you the chance to expand your Tunisian crochet skills. Whether you’re gifting it or keeping it for yourself, it’s bound to get plenty of use!

OK, Let’s Make This Washcloth!

1. Gather Your Materials

Yarn

For this dishcloth, you’ll need 100% cotton yarn, which is perfect because it’s both durable and absorbent – exactly what you want in a kitchen item. I chose Drops Paris in a beautiful autumnal plum color, but feel free to pick any shade that suits your style or kitchen decor.

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

Hook

You’ll also need a 6.5mm K/10.5 crochet hook. This size works well to give your dishcloth the right amount of flexibility without compromising its sturdiness. 

Tunisian crochet fabric typically comes out a bit denser and stiffer than regular crochet, which is why it’s common practice to size up your hook by 1-2mm from what’s recommended for your yarn.

2. Grab Your Pattern

The dishcloth is worked with a simple yet beautiful 2-row repeat of Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) and Tunisian double crochet (Tdc). This stitch pattern mirrors the regular alpine stitch and adds a satisfying, textured finish to the dishcloth.`

Here’s what you can expect as you work through the pattern:

• Foundation Rows: Start with a foundation chain of your preferred size (depending on if you are making a dishcloth, tea towel, or something else entirely!). Then, work two setup rows of Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) across to establish your base.
• Main Body: Alternate between rows of Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) and Tunisian double crochet (Tdc). This 2-row repeat is what creates the signature texture of the alpine stitch.
• Finishing: Once your dishcloth reaches your desired size, bind off with a simple slip stitch across the last row to give a clean finish. Then, work a round of single crochet around the entire dishcloth to add a neat edge. Tunisian crochet is especially easy to crochet around because of the defined nature of all four edges.
• For extra help, check out this video tutorial on crocheting around edges.

3. Tips & Tricks for Success!

Using a Regular Hook

Don’t worry if you don’t have a Tunisian hook! You can use a regular crochet hook as long as it has a straight handle. Just pop an elastic band or stopper on the end to prevent your stitches from sliding off.

Blocking

Blocking isn’t necessary for a dishcloth, but it can be helpful for other projects like blankets. It enhances the texture of the stitches and gives the edges a more finished look. 

So, bear this in mind if you are using this stitch pattern for something other than your cotton dishcloth!

Curling

The Tunisian Alpine Stitch creates a reasonably thick fabric, so keep your tension even to ensure the dishcloth stays flat and doesn’t curl too much. 

However, one of the benefits of cotton yarn is that it is much less stretchy than other fibers, so it doesn’t curl that much! 

Border

If you are having problems with curling, then a border can often help to straighten out your edges, so don’t skip this step.

Tunisian Alpine Stitch Washcloth – Written Pattern

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Easy

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• FwP = Forward Pass
• rem = remaining
• RetP = Return Pass (see Special Stitches)
• sc = single crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• Tds = Tunisian double crochet (see Special Stitches)
• Tss = Tunisian simple stitch (see Special Stitches)

General Pattern Notes

• Row instructions are given for the Forward Pass (FwP).
• Complete the Foundation Row and each FwP with a Return Pass (RetP).
• Stitch count is given as “loops on hook” in brackets [ ] at the end of Row 1 (Foundation Row). In this
  pattern the stitch count is the same for all rows.
• Please see Step-by-Step Photos for more detail on how to work the individual stitches and create the 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 Plum (66) (82yds/ 75m per 50g skein; #4/ Worsted/ Medium; 100% Cotton).

	yds/m
Washcloth	85yds / 78m
Tea Towel	380yds / 347m

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

6.5mm (K-10.5) Tunisian crochet hook

Other Items

• Yarn needle

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Finished Measurements

Washcloth: 8.25″ x 8.25″ / 21cm x 21cm

Tea Towel: 14.5″ x 22.25″ / 37cm 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

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

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

Tunisian simple stitch (Tss)

Insert hook under next vertical bar, yarn over, and pull up a loop

Tunisian double crochet (Tdc)

In this pattern, the Tdc is worked in the next stitch 2 rows below.

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook under vertical bar of indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.

Step 2: Yarn over and pull through two loops, the loop already on your hook and the loop created by the first “yarn over.”

Return Pass (RetP)

Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook, i.e. ch 1. *yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook, and repeat from * until one loop remains.

End stitch

This is the last stitch on a Forward Pass (FwP). You will always work this stitch through both loops. In this pattern, the end stitch is written separately as “work end st.”

Bind off

The bind-off method for this pattern is the slip stitch bind-off, and is worked as follows: starting in the second vertical bar, *insert hook under vertical bar, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook; repeat from * across until 1 loop remains. Cut yarn, and pull through the final loop to fasten off.

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Adjustments

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

• To adjust the width of your project, simply chain any multiple of 2 + 1 to start.
• To adjust the length, simply repeat Rows 3 and 4 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.

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Written Pattern

Washcloth: Ch 27.

Tea Towel: Ch 47.

Row 1: Pull up a loop in back bump of the second ch from hook and in each ch across. RetP. [Washcloth: 27 loops on hook; Tea Towel: 47 loops on hook]

Row 2: Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP.

Row 3: *Tss, Tdc in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * until one st rem, Tss in last st, work end st. RetP.

Row 4: Tdc in next st 2 rows below, *Tss, Tdc in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * across, work end st. RetP.

Washcloth: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for a total of 23 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.25″/ 21cm in length. Bind off.

Tea Towel: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for a total of 61 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.25″/ 56.5cm in length. Bind off.

BORDER

Video Tutorial → How to Single Crochet A 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.

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