Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth: Free Pattern

This easy Tunisian crochet dishcloth is created using just one stitch but showcases a beautiful “color-fade” effect through simple color changes.

If you are brand new to Tunisian crochet, then this pattern is a great one to try. You will get lots of practice with the Tunisian simple stitch, which is the most basic Tunisian crochet stitch (think of it as the equivalent of your regular single crochet!)

With this pattern, you will also learn how to create stunning ‘two-tone’ color rows, a unique feature of Tunisian crochet achieved by using one color for the forward pass and another for the return pass.

What You’ll Need to Make this Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth

Yarn

For this color-fade washcloth, you will need a cotton or cotton blend yarn in 3 colors. 

To create the gradient effect, it is best to select different shades of the same color. For example, for my washcloth, I used Drops Paris yarn in Turquoise, Light Turquoise and Ice Blue. But of course, feel free to choose which ever colors suit your style and personality!

If you decide to follow the same gradient pattern that I have used, there will be some ends to weave in, but only along one edge of your work. If you hate weaving in, you can always choose to work this dishcloth in color blocks or even a single color to really minimise those ends!

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

Hook

You will need a 6.5mm K/10.5 crochet hook for this project (or whichever hook size allows you to crochet with an even tension). Tunisian crochet fabric tends to be a little more dense and stiff than regular crochet, which is why we always go up 1-2mm from the hook size written on the yarn band.

---

---

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• C1 = Color 1
• C2 = Color 2
• C3 = Color 3
• FwP = Forward Pass
• RetP = Return Pass (see Special Stitches)
• sc = single crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• Tss = Tunisian simple stitch (see Special Stitches)
• yo = yarn over

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.
• The entire project is worked in the Tunisian simple stitch (Tss), and uses 3 different colors to create the “fade” effect. You can choose to work any color scheme or use any number of colors that you wish.
• If following the color scheme in the pattern, do not cut yarn on each color change unless instructed to do so.

Color Changes

In this pattern, on alternating rows, you will work the FwP in one color and then the RetP in a new color. Change color for the RetP as follows:

1. With working yarn, work FwP and end stitch as normal.
2. Yarn over new color and pull through i.e. ch 1 with new color. First step of RetP made.
3. Work RetP with new color i.e. [yarn over and pull through 2 loops] across.

The print-friendly PDF version of this pattern also includes helpful step-by-step photos for changing color, as well as a colorwork chart for each row.

---

Materials

Yarn

Any #4/Worsted/Medium weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend. The amounts given here are for Drops Paris in Turquoise (10), Light Turquoise (2) and Ice Blue (29) (82 yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).

Project	Total Yds/m	C1 (Turquoise)	C2 (Light Turquoise)	C3 (Ice Blue)
Washcloth	90yds / 82m	21yds / 19m	48yds / 44m	21yds / 19m
Tea Towel	400yds / 366m	96yds / 88m	208yds / 190m	96yds / 88m

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) crochet hook

Other Items

• Yarn needle

---

Finished Measurements

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

Tea Towel: 14.5″ x 22.5″ / 37cm x 57cm

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.

---

Gauge

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

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.

---

Special Stitches

Tunisian simple stitch (Tss)

Insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop.

Return Pass (RetP)

Yo and pull through first loop on hook, i.e. ch 1. *yo and pull through first two loops on hook, 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, yo and pull through both loops on hook; repeat from * across until 1 loop remains. Cut yarn, pull through final loop to fasten off.

---

Adjustments

Stitch multiple: 2 + 1

• To adjust the width of your project, simply chain any multiple of 2 + 1 to start.
• To adjust the length, simply work in pattern until your desired length is reached.

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

---

Written Pattern

Washcloth: With C1, ch 29. 

Tea Towel: With C1, ch 51. 

Row 1: Pull up a loop in back bump of second ch from hook and in each ch across. RetP. [Washcloth: 29 loops on hook; Tea Towel: 51 loops on hook]

Row 2: Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP with C2. Cut C1.

Row 3: Continuing with C2, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP.

Row 4: Continuing with C2, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP with C3.

Row 5: Continuing with C3, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP.

Row 6: Continuing with C3, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP with C2. Cut C3.

Row 7: Continuing with C2, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP.

Row 8: Continuing with C2, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP with C1.

Row 9: Continuing with C1, Tss in each st across, work end st. RetP.

Washcloth: Repeat Rows 2-9 for a total of 27 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.25″/ 21cm in length. Bind off.

Tea Towel: Repeat Rows 2-9 for a total of 73 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.5″/ 57cm in length. Bind off.

Note: It does not matter which row you end on.

BORDER (optional)

Before beginning the border, weave in ends. You can continue with your working yarn for the border, or introduce your border color at the end of the bind off row.

To work a single crochet border:

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 remaining 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