Easy Back and Forth Dishcloth - Free Crochet Pattern

Back and Forth Dishcloths in Seafoam Green
© Marie Anne St. Jean

(This easy crochet dishcloth pattern was previously published on Associated Content/Yahoo and later on Examiner  After both sites closed down, I listed it on Craftsy and of course now they've taken down most patterns there too, so I give up, and just going to post here again to my blog).

Dishcloths are fun to crochet because they work up very quickly and are a useful item that most anyone would be happy to receive as a gift.  My favorites are the simple ones that are worked in a fairly close stitch that doesn't get all stretched out when wet - a dishcloth doesn't need to be elaborate, it just needs to hold up to scrubbing!

I've probably crocheted more dishcloths from this pattern than any other over the years.  I call it the "Back and Forth Dishcloth" because you work one stitch in the back loop only, and the next one in the front loop only.  It's super simple, but alternating front and back loops gives it just the slightest hint of texture with just the single crochet stitch.  Even a beginner can learn to make this dishcloth on the day they first pick up a crochet hook.

Directions for Back and Forth Dishcloth

Materials Needed

Size H crochet hook
Any kitchen cotton yarn

Abbreviations

Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SS = slip stitch
BLO = back loop only
FLO = front loop only

With size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook, ch 31

Row 1:  SC in third ch from hook, and each ch across.  Ch 1, turn

Row 2:  Skip first stitch, SC in BLO of next stitch, SC in FLO of next stitch, and continue across, alternating BLO and FLO, finishing with a regular sc through both loops of turning ch.

Repeat row 2 until your dishcloth is square (the number of rows might vary depending on how tightly you crochet).

Finishing:

After completing the last row, do not make a turning ch, but turn the dishcloth and SS through both loops of each stitch in top row and around the remaining three sides, working 2 SS in each corner.  SS to join to first SS in top.  Cut yarn leaving a small tail, weave in ends.

If you'd like to print a copy of this pattern without the ads and wonky formatting, visit my Etsy Shop, The Crooked Yarn, and look for a listing titled 2 Easy Crochet Dishcloth Patterns.  And don't forget to check out the rest of my free crochet patterns!

Crochet as many dishcloths as you'd like for personal use or for sale, but please don't sell the pattern.  If sharing with friends, please give them the link to this post instead of printing multiple copies of the pattern.  Please respect my efforts to provide this to you for free ...  thanks!

Enjoy!

~ Marie Anne