Shay Washcloths – Free Crochet Pattern | Easy Single Crochet Washcloth Pattern

This is a free crochet pattern and video tutorial showing how to crochet the Shay Washcloths, which is an easy crochet project worked in simple single crochet stitches, and available in 3 sizes.

Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.

This post contains affiliate links for WeCrochet, LoveCrafts, and Lion Brand Yarns. If you make a purchase by clicking on them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

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Handmade washcloths are great for washing dishes with, and also feel fantastic against the skin in the shower.

My Shay series is an easy crochet line that features simple single crochets. You can find more accessories in this series on my sister blog, Cre8tion Crochet.

If you’re looking for a gift, work up a set of three, and wrap with a bow, or place in a spa or kitchen themed gift basket with some Shay Coasters – they are perfect for cups, as mini washcloths and large facial scrubbies.

Where Do You Use a Washcloth?

Washcloths, sometimes called a washrag, are just a miniature bath towel, and designed to be absorbent, soft and easy to use being hand held. Washcloths can be used as a small hand towel to dry off after washing hands, as well as in the shower with soap to clean and exfoliate. Crocheted cotton washcloths feel amazing against the skin, and are better for you than loofahs, as loofahs can harbor bacteria more.

How Often Should I Clean and Change a Washcloth?

For hand drying, a washcloth should be washed about once a week.

For use in the shower, I’ve heard a washcloth should be changed out a couple times a week for washing with good rinsing between uses to get rid of as many dead skin cells and bacteria as possible, but a washcloth should really be used once, and than washed as it harbors bacteria, and possible mold growth is it doesn’t dry out properly, and can hold onto debris.

How Do I Dry a Crocheted Washcloth?

After using, rinse the washcloth to remove as much debris and bacteria as possible, roll up and press excess water out (do not wring out a crocheted washcloth), and lay flat to dry. It’s not recommended to hang crocheted washcloths as they can stretch, especially if wet because they’re heavier.

What is the difference between a Crocheted Washcloth and Dishcloth?

A crocheted washcloth and a dishcloth are practically one in the same with the biggest difference being how you use it.

What is the Best Yarn to Use for a Crocheted Washcloth?

There are many fibers that make nice crocheted washcloths, though cotton yarns are used the most and are very durable for repeated use and washing. Worsted weight is the most common weight of cotton yarn used for crocheted washcloths, but there are also several nice lightweight yarns as well.

I prefer using WeCrochet Dishie Yarn for my washcloths. This worsted weight cotton yarn is colorfast, meaning the color is set and not going to fade or bleed. My experience with Lily Sugar n Cream, Bernat Handicrafter and Crafters Secret Cotton is that with one wash, the colors fade a lot, and some colors, like greens and blues, bleed if laid down on a surface while wet. It’s so disheartening to spend so much time crocheting a project only to have it ruined with one wash. I’ve heard that I Love This Cotton Yarn is also colorfast, and seems to be the choice for many crocheters that do markets as it’s also softer.

Cotton blends work well for washcloths, and the synthetic fiber they’re combined with, such as acrylic or polyester, will often add a bit more durability, however, they lack the absorbency so they do need the plant based fiber.

Linen also makes for a really lovely washcloth. It gets strong when wet, and gets softer and nicer with each wash. Linen blends often combine with cotton or bamboo to add softness.

Bamboo yarns have a high absorbency – even more than cotton – however, bamboo is weaker when wet, and more prone to developing mold so if bamboo is a fiber you want to use, I definitely recommend going with a blend of linen and/or cotton.

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What Supplies Do I Need to Crochet Some Washcloths:

45 (60, 75, 90) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used WeCrochet Dishie in Azure (Aqua), Navy and Clarity (Grayish Blue)
H8/5mm Crochet Hook – I love this Koi Fish Ergonomic Clay one from SiennasBowtique on Etsy
Tapestry Needle
Optional, Jewelry Pliers

Material Notes:

Yarn Alternatives: Lily Sugar n Cream, Premier Yarns Home Cotton

Dishie Yarn is a touch thinner than Lily Sugar n Cream – you may need to go down a hook size with this yarn if it’s your choice, though gauge is not essential in this project if the finished size isn’t.

If you wanted to use this an afghan square instead, some great yarns I recommend are {wools} WeCrochet Swish, Lion Brand Wool Ease, {non-wools} WeCrochet Brava, and Red Heart Super Saver with an I9/5.5mm crochet hook for the body.

I usually recommend jewelry pliers to use to help weave in ends, as cotton yarn can be quite tough on the fingers when weaving in with just fingers and a tapestry needle. Dishie Yarn is really smooth, and easy to weave the yarn in and out of.

How Long Does it Take to Crochet Washcloths:

The small washcloth works up in about 45 minutes, the medium in just over 45 minutes, the large in just over an hour, and the large long in about an hour and a half.

Measurements:

Small: 6.13″ Square
Medium: 7″ Square
Large: 8″ Square
Large Long: 8″ x 10.25″

Gauge (Not Essential):

16 SC = 4.13″ (4 1/8″) by 8 Rows = 2”

Abbreviation (US Term):

SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)

Pattern Notes:

Beginning chain 1 does not count as a stitch.

You can adjust the width by adding or subtracting one chain, and adjust the length by adding or subtracting one row. If you adjust the washcloth, for the border: How many stitches is even stitching across and/or up/down the sides? Not counting the corners in these counts… Top/Bottom = total number of stitches across – 2. Sides = total number of rows – 1.

Shay Washcloth Video Tutorial:

Shay Washcloth Crochet Pattern:

Chain 23 (27, 31, 31). SC into the 2nd chain from the hook, and each chain across. [22 (26, 30, 30) SC]

R2 – 26 (30, 34, 44): Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st SC, and each SC across. [22 (26, 30, 30) SC]

Border: Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st 21 (25, 29, 29) SC, (SC, chain 1, SC) into the next SC, evenly SC (that’s one SC per row) down 25 (29, 33, 43) stitches, (SC, chain 1, SC) into the next stitch, SC 20 (24, 28, 28) across the opposite side of the foundation chain, (SC, chain 1, SC) into the next stitch, evenly SC (that’s one SC per row) up 25 (29, 33, 43) stitches, SC into the same stitch as the 1st, then join to the 1st SC. [98 (114, 130, 142) SC]

Fasten Off, and Weave in Ends.

Please feel free to make and sell your own Shay Washcloths using this pattern, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead.

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