Tunisian Crochet Washcloths
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 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!
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!
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
- 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…
- A size H (5.0 mm) Afghan crochet hook
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
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.
For the foundation edge, finish edge and right selvedge, you will insert the hook through both strands of each edge stitch:
And for the left selvedge edge, you will insert the hook through just one strand of each edge stitch:
Make a slip stitch into each edge stitch all the way to the next corner. Chain 1 at the corner.
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:
Block your washcloths and you’re all done!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our crochet patterns and crochet tutorials, buy one of our many kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next crochet or knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Thank you so much for this project and tutorial ! I finally learned something today I've always wanted to learn 🙂
I learned a long long time ago, have since forgotten but always kept the needles I had (they were my aunt and grandmother's).
I can't wait to give this a try again!
Going to make these up as washcloths for BFF goody bags along w/ some homemade soap. Thank you!
I had been looking for a good Tunisian crochet project to learn the stitch and this is perfect, and so beautiful as always.
I truly love your newsletter, your patterns, lessons, personality, etc. I always come away with something useful and/or beautiful, creative, inventive and added to my "to do" wish list! Thank you.
Awe, one of our very special mommy's crochets everything! I'm going to send her to your blog. She's going to love it! Thanks for the great tips. I'm sure she'll learn something new from here!
I have a knitting dictionary from the 1970s which has Tunisian crochet in it. I alaways thought the stitch pattern looked really cool, and your tutorial is easy to follow, so looks like I'll have a go at it!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for the helpful tutorial and inspiration. Can't wait to try!
Sally said it best! I love your blog, your patterns, your photography, your style. Purl Bee makes me happy! Thank you!
I love these so much! Thank you for posting the tutorial! I am very excited to try making them.
My grandmother called this the "afghan stitch" but when I try doing it it curls up. Why is that? am I doing it wrong?
Bought the kit, has arrived, can't wait to get started. Thanks for the great project.
Hi Mary,
Tunisian (or as your grandmother would say, Afghan) crochet does tend to curl a bit. You definitely want to make sure that you're using a hook size that is at least two sizes bigger than you would normally use for the same yarn. Also, blocking your finished piece should straighten everything out!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
What’s the point of blocking a dish cloth, when it’s going to be used wet all the time? I’m not going to try to block my dishcloth every time I wash dishes with it, I just go with the flow and let it curl. Doesn’t affect it’s amazing effectiveness at all!
Can't wait to try this, ordered the kit!
Gorgeous colors & am so inspired yet again.
Went to order my hook and wasn't sure of what length in the size H hook I should order. What length would you recommend?
HI Michelle,
You should order an Afghan Crochet Hook. The ones we sell are 14 inches long and can be found right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6092-Boye-Aluminum-Afghan-Crochet-Hooks
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
I always make some chainstiches ( or is it slipstiches in English ?) at one corner, so you can hang it up to dry ….
I just love these washcloths and like to give it away with my own soap, always a welcome present to family and friends !
I have learned and started the basic dishcloth today. The pictures are great. They make the instructions so much easier to follow. Thank you so much. Why do we use a hook 2 size bigger than the yarn call for? I started with size 5 mm hook because the yarn suggested it. But after I read the comments then I realize that I have to switch to 7mm hook. And yes my piece is curling up.
Hi Doris,
Going up at least two hook sizes ensures that our finished fabric isn't too tight and dense and helps to ease the curling.
Thanks for asking and congratulations on learning a new technique! Fun, right?
Whitney
I found your website through Pinterest and thought I would check it out! Thanks for sharing your knowledge of needlework and I can't wait to try this pattern out! 🙂
I LOVE the Tutorial for Tunisian Crochet!! I have been crocheting for about a year now and I have become an avid crocheter. You were right in 10 minutes it was like an old friend and I love it!!!! I'm making the dishcloths to add into a handmade soap basket that I sell!. Thank you so much!! 🙂
the neat thing about this stitch is that it is also a perfect piece to cross stitch on. It has evenly placed holes in the fabric so it can be embellished with cross stitch (which is how a lot of the old afghan (Tunisian) stitch afghans were done. I have some beautiful patterns. Great way to personalize with a monogram or holiday patterns.
Hi I love Tunisian crochet, but I often have a problem with it curling, Any sugestions would be appreciated
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! I think that if you wet block your piece it will relax the yarn and flatten it out. I also think that you might be crocheting too tightly. Try going up a hook size!
-Adam
Thank you for the pattern 🙂 I Love this ! I did make a scarf once ,but it did curl too, I will try blocking 🙂
Can you use a different cotton in your shop that has more color choices like the Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton? If so, what crochet hook should be used? Thanks for answering. I will be visiting the warehouse in CA in Feb and would like to pick up the yarn then. Barbara
Hello Barbara!
Thank you so much for writing in! You can certainly use the Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton, however the Worsted Cotton is a slightly larger gauged yarn than the Ultra Pima and Skinny Cotton so you’ll need to adjust your pattern just a bit. When choosing an Afghan Crochet Hook you should choose a size that is at least two sizes bigger then the hook you would normally use with the same yarn. You can find our selection of Afghan Hooks right here. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I have always wanted to try this, I was given a tunisian needle by my Mother that her Brother made for her. but have nevertried to use it. think it is about time I did and your pattern is perfect for my first attempt.
Thank you for this pattern. Love how the edges are finished. Will be doing it up in a 100% Bamboo Yarn that I love.
Can you also use a different brand of 100% cotton yarn?
Hello Keith,
Thank you for reaching out! You can us any brand of cotton yarn as long as it is a sport weight yarn and you get a gauge of 5 1/4 stitches = 1 inch in Tunisian simple stitch.
Best,
Marilla
Hi. I am interested in trying this pattern but wondering if you have an updated product recommendation since the recommended skeins do not seem to be available any longer?
Hi GT,
Thanks so much for writing in! These washcloths would work up wonderfully in our Cotton Pure!
Best,
Julianna
Hi, A very long time ago, I crocheted an Afghan stitch potholder and cross stitched an apple on the front. I was so proud to have learned a new crochet stitch that I kept it and haven’t found it yet.
Met a sales lady at a Michael’s store who saw me pick up a book on Tunisian Crochet. She said it was her very favorite stitch to do.
Then I learned it is now referred to as Tunision stitch. Have not seen her since because I live many towns away and rarely go that far anymore since we all shop more on-line. So happy to find this site and am relearning this delightfully fun stitch again. Thank you for all your help. I am 75 yrs. now and have lots of time to devote to my crocheting.
Question about the yarn – can I use the Cotton Pure for this project? How much would you suggest ordering?
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Cotton Pure would be a great option for this pattern! I do recommend working a swatch first to be sure you are consistent with the pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna
The link to the changing colours tutorial is broken.
“Change to Color B (our tutorial tells you how!) and finish.”
Thank you
Hi Mgp,
Thank you so much for alerting us to this! We’ve taken a look at the issue and repaired the link! Now, the link should take you to our Tunisian Crochet Basics tutorial, which has a section towards the second half that shows how to change colors (with pictures as well!). I’ve also linked the tutorial in this comment for your convenience. I hope this has been helpful! Have a wonderful day!
All the best,
Catherine
Is there a way to prevent the Tunisian crochet from curling. I love using it for shawls but hate the curling. Regular blocking methods just don’t seem to work.
Hi Lois,
Due to the structure of Tunisian crochet stitches, there will always be a bit of a natural curl to the fabric. Once you block your project after finishing it, that should minimize the rolling significantly, but there will likely still be some. If this bothers you, I’d recommend adding more of a border to the washcloths! You can try working a round of regular single crochet stitches around the edge, which should improve things a lot. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili