Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

I worked in our store for years before I finally learned the story of the weirdly long crochet hooks that kept getting tucked away in a forgotten corner. Oh, those? They’re just the tool you need to whip up one of needlework’s most beautiful fabrics!

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Tunisian Crochet may get overlooked in the corner sometimes, but the distinctiveness of its fabric warrants closer scrutiny. It combines a waffle-like grid with a squishy density that is just right for blankets, pillows, dishtowels, and these washcloths!

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

If you already know how to crochet, you’ll be old friends with this new technique in about ten minutes. And even if you’ve never held a crochet hook before, Tunisian Crochet is one of the easiest places to start. Our new Tunisian Crochet Basics Tutorial will get you on your way!

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Use your new skills to whip up these decadently thick and wonderfully soft Tunisian Crochet Washcloths. They’re made out of a combination of organic and pima cottons which subtly play off each other with their matte and lustrous finishes. We think a set of three is just what mom will love this Mother’s Day! -Whitney

Materials

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

  • 2 skeins of Blue Sky’s Skinny Cotton, 100% Organic Cotton, in the color Birch (shown above, right).
  • 2 skeins of Cascade’s Ultra Pima, 100% Pima Cotton, 1 in the color Buff (shown above, middle) and 1 in the color Marigold (shown above, left).

This is enough to yarn to make the three washcloths shown here, plus at least 5 others of your own design.

You will also need…

Gauge

5 1/4 stitches = 1 inch in Tunisian simple stitch

Size

8 x 8 inches

Notes

  • If this is your first time working Tunisian (or Afghan) Crochet, get acquainted with our Tunisian Crochet Basics Tutorial!
  • For this pattern Color A is Birch, Color B is Buff and Color C is Marigold.

Pattern

Basic Washcloth

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Chain 42.

Starting with the second chain from the hook, work a Preparation Row.

Then alternate Return and Forward Rows until the piece measures 8 inches (or until it is square).

Finish off and weave in the ends.

Two Stripe Washcloth

Following the Basic Washcloth pattern (see pattern, above), start with Color A and work until piece measures 5 5/8 inches from the beginning.

Change to Color B (our tutorial tells you how!) and finish.

Three Stripes Washcloth

Following the Basic Washcloth pattern (see pattern, above), start with Color A and work until piece measures 5 inches from the beginning.

Change to Color B and work for 1 3/4 inches.

Change to Color C and finish.

Bordered Washcloth

With Color A, make a Basic Washcloth (see pattern, above).

Insert the hook into the left side of a corner and with Color C, pull a loop through. Chain 1.

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

For the foundation edge, finish edge and right selvedge, you will insert the hook through both strands of each edge stitch:

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

And for the left selvedge edge, you will insert the hook through just one strand of each edge stitch:

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Make a slip stitch into each edge stitch all the way to the next corner. Chain 1 at the corner.

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Continue to make slip stitches along the remaining three sides, making a chain 1 at each corner.

Slip stitch into the beginning chain 1, cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.

Here’s what the border looks like:

Tunisian Crochet Washcloths | Purl Soho

Block your washcloths and you’re all done!