Tunisian Wave Stitch Washcloth: Free Pattern

This Tunisian wave stitch washcloth combines texture and color, making it a great project for building your Tunisian crochet skills!

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

The Tunisian Wave Washcloth is the perfect project if you’re ready to expand your Tunisian crochet skills. 

The striking wave pattern is worked using basic Tunisian stitches like Tunisian simple stitch (Tss), Tunisian double crochet (Tdc), and Tunisian slip stitch (Tslst). It’s a great opportunity to practice new stitches, especially the Tslst, while still keeping the pattern simple and fun.

Easy to Customize

One of the best things about this washcloth is how versatile it is. You can use two or three colors for maximum impact, and the pattern is written for two sizes, but it can easily be customized. In fact, this pattern would make a stunning blanket or shawl if you wanted to expand it!

Easy Color Changes

The color changes are straightforward, too – you’ll only work with one color per row, and the color change happens at the end of the return pass. No need to cut the yarn between rows; just float the colors up the side as you work, making this a hassle-free way to add beautiful colorwork to your project.

OK, Let’s Make This Washcloth!

1. Gather Your Materials

Yarn

For this dishcloth, you’ll need 100% cotton yarn, which is ideal for its durability and absorbency—just what you want for a hardworking kitchen item. In the sample, I used Drops Paris in a rich autumn palette, featuring OffWhite, Plum, and Burgundy, but feel free to choose colors that match your style or decor.

In the written pattern below, you’ll find links to a variety of cotton yarns that work beautifully for dishcloths.

Hook

For this project, you’ll need a 6.5mm Tunisian crochet hook. This hook size provides the perfect balance of structure and flexibility for your washcloth, ensuring it’s sturdy yet soft enough for everyday use.

If you don’t have a dedicated Tunisian crochet hook, a regular crochet hook will work just as well, as long as it has a straight handle. Simply add a stopper or elastic band to the end of the hook to keep the stitches from slipping off, and you’re good to go!

2. Grab Your Pattern

The Tunisian Wave Washcloth uses a simple stitch pattern of Tss, Tdc, and Tslst to create beautiful, flowing waves. Use at least two colors and change colors after every row. Make the switch at the end of each return pass, which keeps the color changes easy and smooth.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps:

• Foundation Row: Start with a foundation chain (in a multiple of 6 + 1), then work a row of Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) to establish the base of your washcloth.
• Wave Pattern: The wave effect is created through a simple sequence of stitches in different heights – Tunisian simple stitch (Tss), Tunisian double crochet (Tdc), and Tunisian slip stitch (Tslst). After each “wave” row, a row of Tss in a contrasting color is worked to clearly delineate the waves. Each row is worked in a single color, and you’ll change colors at the end of the return pass, floating the unused yarn up the side without cutting.
• Repeat: Continue repeating the wave pattern for the length of your washcloth. The pattern is written for two sizes, but you can easily customize it to your preferred size.
• Finishing: After completing the wave pattern, work a slip stitch bind of row, finish with a border to hide those “floats” and you’re good to go!

3. Tips & Tricks for Success!

Learning New Stitches

If you’re comfortable with Tunisian simple stitch (Tss), this pattern is a great way to learn the Tunisian double crochet (Tdc) and Tunisian slip stitch (Tslst). 

Color Changes Made Easy

Don’t worry about cutting and rejoining yarn with every row. Since each row is worked in a single color, you can easily float the yarn up the side as you work. Just change colors at the end of the return pass, and carry on with the new color.

Feel free to experiment with as many colors as you’d like. The wave pattern really pops with multiple shades, so have fun with it!

Customizing the Size

Want to make something bigger than a washcloth? This pattern can easily be adapted into a blanket or shawl. Simply increase the number of stitches in your foundation chain (using a multiple of 6 + 1) and repeat the wave pattern until you reach your desired length.

Using a Regular Hook

No Tunisian hook? No problem! For a project like this, which isn’t too wide, a regular crochet hook with a straight handle works just fine. As a general rule of thumb, your hook should be about one-third the length of your project’s finished width. Simply add a stopper or elastic band to the end of your hook to keep the stitches secure.

Tunisian Wave Stitch Washcloth – Free Pattern

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Easy

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• C1 = Color 1
• C2 = Color 2
• C3 = Color 3
• 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)
• Tslst = Tunisian slip stitch (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.

Color Changes

• For each row, both the FwP and RetP are worked in the same color. 
• Float the new color up the side of your work at each color change.
• Change color at the end of the RetP as follows:

1. With working yarn, work RetP until 2 loops remain i.e. stop at the last step of the RetP.
2. Yarn over new color and pull through 2 loops i.e. complete the RetP.
3. Work FwP of next row with new color.

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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 Off White (17), Plum (66) and Burgundy (37) (82 yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).

Project	Total yds/m	C1 (Off White)	C2 (Plum)	C3 (Burgundy)
Washcloth	95yds / 87m	35yds / 32m	31yds / 28m	31yds / 28m
Tea Towel	354yds / 324m	128yds / 117m	113yds / 103m	113yds / 103m

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: 8.75″ x 8.25″ / 22cm x 21cm
Tea Towel: 14″ x 22.25″ / 35.5cm 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

14 sts x 12 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over Tunisian wave 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

Tunisian simple stitch (Tss)

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

Tunisian slip stitch (Tslst)

Insert hook under next vertical bar. Vertical bar counts as loop on hook.

Tunisian double crochet (Tdc)

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

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

Return Pass (RetP)

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

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Adjustments

Stitch multiple: 6 + 1

• To adjust the width of your project, simply chain any multiple of 6 + 1 to start.
• To adjust the length, simply repeat Rows 2-5 until you reach your desired length. End on Row 3 or Row 5 i.e. a Tss row.

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

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Written Pattern

Washcloth: With C1, ch 31.

Tea Towel: With C1, ch 49.

Row 1: Pull up a loop in back bump of second ch from hook and in each ch across. RetP, changing to C2 on last 2 loops. [Washcloth: 31 loops on hook; Tea Towel: 49 loops on hook]

Row 2: With C2, Tss, 3 Tdc, Tss, *Tslst, Tss, 3 Tdc, Tss; repeat from * across, work end st. RetP, changing to C1 on last 2 loops.

Row 3: With C1, Tss across, work end st. RetP, changing to C3 on last 2 loops.

Row 4: With C3, Tdc, Tss, *Tslst, Tss, 3 Tdc, Tss; repeat from * until three sts rem, Tslst, Tss, Tdc, work end st. RetP, changing to C1 on last 2 loops.

Row 5: With C1, Tss across, work end st. RetP, changing to C2 on last 2 loops.

Washcloth: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 25 rows, or until work measures approx. 8.25″/ 21cm in length. Bind off.

Tea Towel: Repeat Rows 2-5 for a total of 67 rows, or until work measures approx. 22.25″/ 56.5cm in length. Bind off.

Notes

• End on a Tss row i.e. Row 3 or Row 5.
• Do not change color at the end of your final row and work the bind off row in the same color.

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 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