Stitch Exploration Series - Keyhole Dishcloth

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my business and makes it possible for me to bring you free content.

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When was the last time you challenged yourself in your craft? For me, it was this month’s Stitch Exploration Series pattern, the Keyhole Dishcloth. I was flipping through some stitch books, and saw this gorgeous texture popping up from the page. I usually admire these complicated-looking patterns for a few moments, then move on to something that seems more my speed. This time, I said to myself, Self, you are not gonna pass this one by.

The funny thing is, this wasn’t even supposed to be June’s pattern! I had already started work on another pattern that I had planned for this month, but once I got started on this super unique texture and saw how easy it was, it pretty much just fell off my hook and I felt like it needed to be out in the world asap.

If you’re not familiar with my Stitch Exploration Series, here are the details: Each month, I post a new FREE dishcloth pattern, and can you believe it, we’re already halfway through the year! This is the sixth pattern in the series - check out the others HERE.

This series is all about testing out new skills without the pressure of having to create a large project like a garment. When I’m designing, I find that I tend to choose familiar stitches, which can limit my creativity. I’ve chosen dishcloths because they’re small enough to finish up quickly, but large enough to get a general idea of the fabric the stitch pattern will create!

This month, we are combining several techniques to create “keyholes” in the fabric. I wouldn’t normally choose a pattern that creates holes or a lacy fabric, but this one was too pretty to pass up. And the texture of the rest of the pattern combined with the cotton yarn is perfect for getting your scrub on with those stubborn dishes.

For this series, I’ve chosen a beautiful, durable cotton yarn, Dishie from WeCrochet. It comes in lots of fun colours (30 solids in total, plus there are also Dishie Twist and Dishie Multi!), and it is really nice to work with. It’s also really durable, making it great for dishcloths! In my experience so far, this yarn really holds up well during tough scrubbing.

So far, my favourite patterns in the series are the Pollyanna Dishcloth (green) and the Mulberry Dishcloth (purple), but this month’s pattern might just bump one of these from the top spot! Do you have a favourite so far?

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Materials

Hook - US G/4mm, or size needed to meet gauge.

Yarn - WeCrochet Dishie, 100% cotton, 190 yds (174m)/100g (3.5oz) per skein. I used approx. 103 yds (94m) of the colourway Linen.

Notions - scissors, tape measure, yarn needle.

Notes

Ch 1 to start some rows do not count as sts.

Ch 3 to start some rows DOES count as a dc.

Gauge is not critical for this project, however, if yardage is a concern, you should aim to meet it as closely as possible. No one will judge an extra half inch on your dishcloth!

Generally, I do not block cotton washcloths, because they’re just going to get wet anyway. If you’re making for gifting, or just want to straighten things out, feel free to block as you see fit.

Sizing

Gauge is a little bit tricky for this pattern. Luckily, it is not super important, so very generally:

• Stitch gauge: there are approx. 2”/5cm between the edges of the “keyholes.”

• Row gauge: measure height from Row 2-11 of the pattern. This should measure approx. 4”/10cm tall.

Finished measurements - approx. 9.5” wide x 8.5” tall / 24cm wide x 22cm tall.

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council:

Ch - chain

Chsp - chain space

Dc - double crochet

Dc4tog - double crochet 4 sts together as one (see Special Stitches section)

Fpdc - front post double crochet

Sc - single crochet

St(s) - stitch(es)

[ ] - work sts within brackets into one st

* and ** - repeat instructions as directed

Special Stitches

Dc4tog: *Yarn over, insert hook into next st and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook. Repeat from * three more times (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops to finish the stitch. See diagram below for an example.

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Pattern Instructions

Row 1 (RS).  Ch 42 and turn. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc in each ch across and turn. < 41 sc >

Row 2 (WS).  Ch 3, 4dc in the same st. *Skip 4 sts, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next st. Skip 4 sts, [4dc, ch 1, 4dc] in next st. Repeat from * until 10 sts remain. Skip 4 sts, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next st, skip 4 sts, 5dc in last st and turn.

Row 3. Ch 1, sc in first st. *Ch 3, dc4tog over next 4 dc. Fpdc, ch 1 and skip the ch below, fpdc. Dc4tog over next 4 dc, ch 3,** sc in chsp. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at ** (there should be 1 st remaining). Sc in last st and turn.

Row 4. Ch 3, dc in same st. *Skip ch-3 and next 2 dc, [4dc, ch 1, 4 dc] in next chsp. Skip next 2 dc and ch-3,** [dc, ch 1, dc] in next st. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at ** (there should be 1 st remaining). 2dc in last st and turn.

Row 5. Ch 3, fpdc next st. *Dc4tog over next 4 dc, ch 3 and sc in chsp. Ch 3, dc4tog over next 4 dc, fpdc,** ch 1 and skip the ch below, fpdc. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at ** (there should be 1 st remaining). Dc in last st and turn.

Row 6. Ch 3, 4dc in same st. *Skip next 2 dc and ch-3, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next st. Skip ch-3 and next 2 dc,** [4dc, ch 1, 4dc] in next chsp. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at ** (there should be 1 st remaining). 5dc in last st and turn.

Repeat Rows 3 to 6 three more times, then repeat Row 3 once more.

Second Last Row: Ch 1, sc evenly across the row and turn. The number of sts is approx. 41, however, if you find that this is too many, work as many sts evenly so it will lay flat for you (through trial and error, I ended up with 38 sc).

Last Row: Ch 1, sc in each st across.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Variations

To make your dishcloth narrower or wider, work fewer or more chain sts in Row 1, starting with a multiple of 10+2. Each increment of 10 sts will give you approximately 2”/5cm, or one additional "keyhole.”

To make your dishcloth shorter or longer, work fewer or more full repeats of Rows 3 to 6. Each full repeat will give you just under 2”/5cm of height.

Keep in mind that any alterations to the stitch or row counts will adjust the yardage required.

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Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

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As a little bonus, check out the “wrong side” of this pattern - isn’t that a gorgeous texture?! I love when the backside of stitches looks just as good as the front side. If you enjoy this as well, check out the hashtag I started on instagram - #WIPItAndReverseIt - I would love for you to use it when you share your beautiful reversible textures!

Congratulations on finishing your Keyhole Dishcloth! Give yourself a big pat on the back (like I definitely did!) because this pattern is no walk in the park. I bet you are super proud of yourself for using such simple stitches to create such a gorgeous texture - I almost don’t want to use mine for scrubbing dirty dishes!

I’m having a lot of fun exploring these new-to-me techniques, and I hope you are too! I’d love to see your dishcloths (in finished or WIP form!), or how you’re using the things you’re learning here in your own designs. Share your dishcloth on Instagram using the hashtags #KeyholeDishcloth and #StitchExplorationSeries, and tag me, @capital.crochet!

You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post.

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns in this series and other blog posts, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter below.

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Stitch Exploration Series - Parallel Lines Dishcloth

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my business and makes it possible for me to bring you free content.

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Wow… how is it May already?! Nevermind, I’m not going to question it because May means that we can FINALLY look forward to summer and all the warmth it brings. I’m definitely a “I’d rather be hot than cold” kind of person, and the cold weather seems to last longer and longer each year…

…but enough rambling - it’s time to introduce this month’s dishcloth pattern! The Parallel Lines Dishcloth is full of texture, and it uses such a simple technique. By crocheting into individual loops of different crochet stitches, it opens up so many options for creating ridges and ribbing!

This is the fifth pattern in my monthly Stitch Exploration Series, which is dedicated to exploring different stitch techniques and textures. Check out the other patterns in the series HERE.

This series is all about testing out new skills without the pressure of having to create a large project like a garment. When I’m designing, I find that I tend to choose familiar stitches, which can limit my creativity. I’ve chosen dishcloths because they’re small enough to finish up quickly, but large enough to get a general idea of the fabric the stitch pattern will create!

This month’s pattern features a bit of an anatomy lesson as we look at the loops in different crochet stitches.

For this series, I’ve chosen a beautiful, durable cotton yarn, Dishie from WeCrochet. It comes in lots of fun colours (30 solids in total, plus there are also Dishie Twist and Dishie Multi!), and it is really nice to work with. It’s also really durable, making it great for dishcloths! In my experience so far, this yarn really holds up well during tough scrubbing.

So far, my favourite patterns in the series are the Pollyanna Dishcloth (green) and the Mulberry Dishcloth (purple). I love the unique textures! Do you have a favourite so far?

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Materials

Hook - US G/4mm, or size needed to meet gauge.

Yarn - WeCrochet Dishie, 100% cotton, 190 yds (174m)/100g (3.5oz) per skein. I used approx. 92 yds (84m) of the colourway Silver.

Notions - scissors, tape measure, yarn needle.

Notes

Ch sts to start each row do not count as sts.

Gauge is not critical for this project, however, if yardage is a concern, you should aim to meet it as closely as possible. No one will judge an extra half inch on your dishcloth!

Generally, I do not block cotton washcloths, because they’re just going to get wet anyway. If you’re making for gifting, or just want to straighten things out, feel free to block as you see fit.

Sizing

Gauge - 4”/10cm = 14 sts x 16 rows in sc, unblocked.

Finished measurements - approx. 8” wide x 8.5” tall / 20.5cm wide x 22cm tall.

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council:

BLO - work into the back loop of the stitch (see Special Stitches section)

Ch - chain

Hdc - half double crochet

Sc - single crochet

Sl st - slip stitch

St(s) - stitch(es)

Third loop - work into the third loop of the hdc st (see Special Stitches section)

Special Stitches - Loops

Crochet stitches have different parts to them, including loops formed as we work the stitches. The pictures below demonstrate the different loops we will be working into for this pattern.

Third Loop: the black arrows in photo B below indicate the front loops of the hdc stitch (the back loop is behind, we can’t see it from this angle). Below the front loop is the third loop, indicated here by the white arrows. To work into the third loop, insert your hook from bottom to top (follow the direction of the white arrow).

Back Loops: the black arrows in photo A below indicate the back loops, these are farthest from you. The white arrows indicate the front loops, these are the closest to you. To work in the back loops only (BLO), insert your hook in between these loops, underneath the back loops.

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Pattern Instructions

Row 1 (RS).  Ch 40 and turn. Starting in the second ch from hook, hdc in each ch across and turn. <39 sts>

Row 2 (WS).  Ch 1, sc in the third loop of each st across, and turn.

Row 3. Ch 1, hdc blo of each st across and turn.

Rows 4 and 5. Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 6. Repeat Row 2.

Rows 7 and 8. Ch 1, sc in each st across and turn.

Row 9. Ch 1, hdc in each st across and turn.

Repeat Rows 2 to 9 three more times, then repeat Rows 2 to 5 once more.

Last Row. Ch 1, sl st in the third loop of each st across.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Variations

To make your dishcloth narrower or wider, start with fewer or more chain sts in Row 1. Every additional 7 sts will give you approximately 2”/5cm of width.

To make your dishcloth shorter or longer, work fewer or more full repeats of Rows 2 to 9. Each full repeat will give you just over 1.5”/4cm of height.

Keep in mind that any alterations to the stitch or row counts will adjust the yardage required.

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Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

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Congratulations on finishing your Parallel Lines Dishcloth! I think this ridged texture is great for dishcloths because it is such a sturdy texture. You can also experiment with different stitches into different loops to create unique ribbing for garments - slip stitch ribbing is one of my favourites, despite it being so tedious!

I’m having a lot of fun exploring these new-to-me techniques, and I hope you are too! I’d love to see your dishcloths (in finished or WIP form!), or how you’re using the things you’re learning here in your own designs. Share your dishcloth on Instagram using the hashtags #ParallelLinesDishcloth and #StitchExplorationSeries, and tag me, @capital.crochet!

You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post.

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns in this series and other blog posts, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter below.

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Stitch Exploration Series - Spring Melt Dishcloth

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my business and makes it possible for me to bring you free content.

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Despite the freak snowfall we’ve had this past week, I think Spring has FINALLY arrived! We’re expecting warm temps and sun over the weekend, and I am so happy to be putting those cold days behind me. What better way to do that than with a pattern that reminds us of where all that snow and ice is going… say hello to the Spring Melt Dishcloth!

This is the fourth pattern in my monthly Stitch Exploration Series, which is dedicated to exploring different stitch techniques and textures. Check out the other patterns in the series HERE.

I find that when I’m designing, I gravitate to the same couple of stitches in my designs, and I hope that this series will allow me to test out new skills and get outside my comfort zone without the pressure of having to create a whole garment. I’ve chosen dishcloths because they’re small enough to finish up quickly, but large enough to get a general idea of the fabric the stitch pattern will create!

The technique I’m trying out this month is chevrons, or ripple stitches. It features flowing lines and a beautiful blue, reminiscent of flowing rivers and streams as Winter’s ice and snow melt away.

Check out some of the other patterns in the series! Shown here are the Studded Dishcloth (yellow) and the Mulberry Dishcloth (purple). I’m using a beautiful, sturdy cotton yarn for this series, Dishie from WeCrochet. It comes in lots of fun colours (30 solids in total, plus there are also Dishie Twist and Dishie Multi!), and it is really nice to work with. It’s also really durable, making it great for dishcloths! In my experience so far, this yarn really holds up well during tough scrubbing.

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Materials

Hook - US G/4mm, or size needed to meet gauge.

Yarn - WeCrochet Dishie, 100% cotton, 190 yds (174m)/100g (3.5oz) per skein. I used approx. 74 yds (68m) of the colourway Blue.

Notions - scissors, tape measure, yarn needle.

Notes

Ch sts to start each row do not count as sts.

Gauge is not critical for this project, however, if yardage is a concern, you should aim to meet it as closely as possible. No one will judge an extra half inch on your dishcloth!

Generally, I do not block cotton washcloths, because they’re just going to get wet anyway. If you’re making for gifting, or just want to straighten things out, feel free to block as you see fit.

Sizing

Gauge - 4”/10cm = 12 rows (3 repeats) in pattern stitch, unblocked.

Finished measurements - approx. 7.5” x 8.5” / 19 x 21.5cm square.

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council:

Ch - chain

Chsp - chain space

Dc - double crochet

Sc - single crochet

St(s) - stitch(es)

Xtog - work one stitch over X number of stitches (see Special Stitches section)

* - repeat instructions following the asterisk as specified

Special Stitches

ScXtog - work one sc over X number of sts: (Insert hook into next st and pull up a loop) X times; there will be X+1 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook - one stitch completed.

DcXtog - work one dc over X number of sts: (Yarn over, insert hook into next st and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through first two loops on the hook) X times; there will be X+1 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook - one stitch completed.

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Pattern Instructions

Row 1 (RS).  Ch 38 and turn. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc in each ch across and turn. <37 sc>

Row 2 (WS).  Ch 1, sc2tog, *sc next 4, 3 sc in next st, sc next 4, sc3tog. Repeat from * once more. Sc next 4, 3 sc in next, sc next 4, sc2tog and turn. <37 sc>

Row 3. Repeat Row 2.

Row 4. Ch 3, skip first st. Dc3tog, ch 1, *2 dc in each of next 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st. 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1,** dc7tog, ch 1. Repeat from * once more, then repeat from * to **. Dc4tog over the last 4 sts, and turn. <34 dc>

Row 5. Ch 1, sc2tog over first st and chsp. *Sc next 5, sc in chsp, sc next 5**, sc2tog over the next 2 chsps (skip the dc7tog). Repeat from * once more, then repeat from * to **. Sc2tog over chsp and last st, and turn. <37 sc>

Rows 6 and 7. Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Rows 4-7 four more times. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Variations

To make your dishcloth narrower or wider, start with fewer or more chain sts in Row 1, making sure to start with a multiple of 12+2.

To make your dishcloth shorter or longer, work fewer or more repeats of Rows 4-7.

Keep in mind that this any changes will adjust the yardage required.

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Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

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Congratulations on finishing your Spring Melt Dishcloth! Have you enjoyed this rippling pattern? I’ve seen it used often in blankets, and I think it would be a really nice addition as an edging detail on a t-shirt or sweater.

I’m having a lot of fun exploring these new-to-me techniques, and I hope you are too! I’d love to see your dishcloths (in finished or WIP form!), or how you’re using the things you’re learning here in your own designs. Share your dishcloth on Instagram using the hashtags #SpringMeltDishcloth and #StitchExplorationSeries, and tag me, @capital.crochet!

You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post.

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns in this series and other blog posts, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter below.

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Easy Stitches Pillow Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my business and makes it possible for me to bring you free content.

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Breathe in… breathe out… Hello friends! I don’t know who else needs a few moments to just breathe, but I sure have been feeling the need to ground myself lately. This is a particularly stressful time in my life, and while crocheting brings me so much joy, the pressures (often self-inflicted) of designing patterns or keeping up with pattern testing and social media engagement can sap my cro-jo.

Recently I just picked up my hook and some pretty yarn and I started stitching. Before long, the stitches told me what they should be, and the Easy Stitches Pillow pattern was born.

This pattern is so simple, and it allows you to get into a nice, meditative rhythm while you stitch. It’s a good one for taking on the go, since it’s not too big to stash in a cute project bag. It’s also great for getting in a just few rows here and there, if you don’t have a big chunk of free time to devote to crocheting.

For this pattern, I’ve used a really cool yarn from one of my favourite companies, Lion Brand Yarn. It’s called Twisted Cotton Blend, and it’s a Bulky (5) weight blend of 69% cotton/31% acrylic. At first I thought it was going to be splitty, but I was pleasantly surprised - it is sturdy and really easy to work with. The unique texture makes it great for patterns like this that use simple stitches. The two-tone look really gives this pillow design depth, making it a perfect addition to both cozy reading corners and upscale sitting room decor.

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Materials

Hook - US L/8mm Tunisian Crochet hook with 16”/40.5cm cord attached (or size needed to meet gauge). I use these ones from WeCrochet!

Yarn - approx. 600 yds/ 549m of Lion Brand Twisted Cotton Blend (I used the colour Ecru/Tan) or another Bulky (5) weight yarn of your choice.

Notions - 16”/40.5cm square pillow form, 4 buttons of any size (1”/2.5cm is recommended), locking stitch markers (2-4), scissors, tape measure, yarn needle.

Notes

The first loop on your hook to start each row counts as a stitch.

If you wish to block your work to settle the stitches, I recommend a gentle steam blocking prior to assembly.

Sizing

Gauge: 12 sts x 15 rows = 4”/10cm in tks.

Measurement before assembly: approx. 40”/ 101.5cm long x 17.5”/44.5cm wide.

The finished pillow cover will fit snugly on a 16”/40.5cm square pillow form.

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council:

ch: chain

lts: last Tunisian stitch – the very last stitch of the row; insert your hook under both loops of the edge stitch

RetP: return pass – Ch 1, *yarn over and pull through 2 loops.  Repeat from * until 1 loop remains on your hook

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

tks: Tunisian Knit stitch – insert your hook into the middle of the stitch. Check out this excellent tutorial video!

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Pattern Instructions

Row 1.  Ch 53. Starting in the second ch from hook, pull up a loop in the back bumps of each ch st (53 loops on hook). Work a RetP.

Row 2.  Tks in each st across until the last st, lts and work a RetP.

Repeat Row 2 until your work measures approximately 40”/101.5cm long.

You will now work a bind off row, which includes small loops that will secure the buttons.  You may wish to switch to a slightly smaller hook for this last row.

Bind off row:  Ch 1, insert hook into next st as for tks and work a sc.  Sc in next 8 sts, then work a buttonhole as follows: ch 4, join with a sl st to the last sc worked.  *Sc next 11, work a buttonhole.  Repeat from * twice more, then sc in last 10 sts (including the edge st, remember to insert your hook under both loops).  Fasten off and proceed to Assembly instructions.

Note: make sure your buttonhole size matches the button you are using. I used a 1”/2.5cm button and cotton yarn (which does not stretch much). If you’re using yarn that has more stretch, you might want to only ch 3, or if you’re using a bigger button, work more chs as needed.

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Assembly: Refer to the photos below when following along with the assembly instructions.

Lay your work flat out, right side facing down.  Fold the starting edge in, then fold the buttonhole edge over the starting edge to form a square that is approximately 17”/43cm in length, with about 3”/7.5cm of overlap of the two ends (picture A).  Secure the sides where these edges overlap (picture B).  Turn the pillow inside out, and *starting at one corner, seam one side closed using the whip stitch, or your favourite seaming method.  Make sure to go through both edges (picture C), and all three thicknesses where they overlap. Fasten off at the opposite corner.  Repeat from * on the other side of the pillow.

Turn the pillow right side out. Insert the pillow form, and gently pull the buttonhole edge up over the other edge to see where the buttons should be placed. When buttoned closed, the edges should not gape or look too stretched. Place your buttons evenly so they match up with the buttonholes, and secure them in place (picture D).

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Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

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Check out my testers’ versions!

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Congratulations on finishing your Easy Stitches Pillow! Share your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #EasyStitchesPillow and tag me, @capital.crochet!

My patterns and thoroughly tested and edited, and come with my full support - if you find an error or have a question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post.

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns, blog posts, and freebies (yay!), please join the email list below.

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If you enjoy working with cotton yarn, check out my Stitch Exploration Series! Each month, I try out a new-to-me stitch pattern or technique, and create FREE cotton dishcloth patterns so that you can try out new skills, too! Below are the two most recent patterns in the series, March’s Pollyanna Dishcloth and February’s Mulberry Dishcloth, both using WeCrochet Dishie yarn.

Stitch Exploration Series - Pollyanna Dishcloth

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my business and makes it possible for me to bring you free content.

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It’s that time again, friends - the newest pattern in the Stitch Exploration Series is this green beauty, the Pollyanna Dishcloth!

If you’re new ‘round these parts, this monthly series is dedicated to exploring different stitch techniques and textures. Check out the other patterns in the series HERE.

I find that when I’m designing, I gravitate to the same couple of stitches in my designs, and I hope that this series will allow me to test out new skills and get outside my comfort zone without the pressure of having to create a whole garment. I’ve chosen dishcloths because they’re small enough to finish up quickly, but large enough to get a general idea of the fabric the stitch pattern will create!

This month’s pattern features a gorgeous bright green yarn and texture like the beautiful plant it is named for - read on to learn more about my dive down the Pollyanna rabbit hole!

When I was thinking about what to name this pattern, I started looking at different ground cover plants, because I thought this texture reminded me of the moss-like growth you often see between stones in pretty, manicured garden pathways. I found soleirolia soleirolii - what a mouthful! It goes by many common names, one of which is Pollyanna Vine. I liked the way that rolled off the tongue.

Image credit: Shutterstock.

I always do my due diligence when naming patterns. I like to make sure there are no similar patterns with the same name, and I also like to make sure I’m not inadvertently using a name or word that has alternate meanings or associations. In searching “Pollyanna,” I found some interesting info.

The character Pollyanna is from a book written in 1913 by Eleanor H. Porter. The title character is a young girl who, despite all the unpleasant things in her life, chooses to see the positive elements in all situations. Psychology picked up on this in the 1970s and applied the name Pollyanna Principle to the psychological construct known as the positivity bias. There is research that shows people generally tend to be more positive and upbeat than miserable and cranky, and we also tend to assume the best about situations in which we do not have the complete story. Of course, there are exceptions, but as a student who is about to finish up a Psychology degree, I was super excited to go down this rabbit hole and learn a little more about human nature.

To make a long story short, I chose the name Pollyanna for this pattern because it reminds me of the plant, but there’s so much more in a name. I thought it was important to share this because it’s part of my creative process, and I know there are lots of fellow polymaths out there who enjoy learning new tidbits of information!

For this series, I’ve chosen a beautiful, durable cotton yarn, Dishie from WeCrochet. It comes in lots of fun colours (30 solids in total, plus there are also Dishie Twist and Dishie Multi!), and it is really nice to work with. It’s also really durable, making it great for dishcloths! In my experience so far, this yarn really holds up well during tough scrubbing.

If you missed the first two patterns in the series, check out the Studded Dishcloth (yellow) and the Mulberry Dishcloth (purple).

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Materials

Hook - US G/4mm, or size needed to meet gauge.

Yarn - WeCrochet Dishie, 100% cotton, 190yds (174m)/100g (3.5oz) per skein. I used approx. 125yds (114m) of the colourway Jalapeño.

Notions - scissors, tape measure, yarn needle.

Notes

Ch 2 to start each row counts as a sc st.

Gauge is not critical for this project, however, if yardage is a concern, you should aim to meet it as closely as possible. No one will judge an extra half inch on your dishcloth!

Generally, I do not block cotton washcloths, because they’re just going to get wet anyway. If you’re making for gifting, or just want to straighten things out, feel free to block as you see fit.

Sizing

Gauge - 4”/10cm = 17 sts x 18 rows in pattern stitch, unblocked.

Finished measurements - approx. 9.25”/23.5cm square.

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council:

Ch - chain

Dc - double crochet

Fpdc - front post double crochet (see Special Stitch section)

St(s) - stitch(es)

Sc - single crochet

RS/WS: right side and wrong side of your dishcloth

* - repeat instructions following the asterisk as specified

Special Stitch

Front post double crochet (fpdc) - yarn over, insert hook from right to left around the back of the post of the st indicated (pushing the post forward), pull up a loop. (Yarn over and pull through two loops) twice. For a helpful tutorial video, click HERE.

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Pattern Instructions

Row 1 (RS).  Ch 40 and turn. Starting in the third ch from hook (first 2 chs count as the first sc), and working into the back bumps of each ch st, sc across and turn. <39 sts>

Row 2 (WS).  Ch 2, sc in each st across until the last st. Sc in ch-2 space and turn.

Row 3. Ch 2, fpdc around the next st 2 rows below, *sc next st, fpdc around the next st 2 rows below.* Repeat from * to * until the last st. Sc in ch-2 space and turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until work measures approx. 9” or desired length, ending on a repeat of Row 3. For me, this was 39 total rows.

Last Row. Ch 2, sc in each st across until the last st. Sc in ch-2 space.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Variations

To make your dishcloth narrower or wider, start with fewer or more chain sts in Row 1, making sure to start with an even number.

To make your dishcloth shorter or longer, work fewer or more repeats of Rows 2 and 3. Keep in mind that this will adjust the yardage required.

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Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

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Congratulations on finishing your Pollyanna Dishcloth! Are you a fan of post stitches? I love how they add relief to a project, and they work well for dishcloths because they offer robust structure for tough scrubbing.

I’ve used post stitches quite a bit to create ribbing in garment projects, but this is the first time I’ve featured the stitches as the main texture in a pattern. I wonder how it would look as the main texture in a sweater using softer yarn… So many new things to explore!

I’m having a lot of fun exploring these new-to-me techniques, and I hope you are too! I’d love to see your dishcloths (in finished or WIP form!), or how you’re using the things you’re learning here in your own designs. Share your dishcloth on Instagram using the hashtags #PollyannaDishcloth and #StitchExplorationSeries, and tag me, @capital.crochet!

You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post.

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns in this series and other blog posts, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter below.

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