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Raised bobbles give this crochet cowl a soft, nubby surface that feels cozy around the neck and adds texture to a simple outfit. The pattern is a satisfying project for beginners who want to practice keeping their stitches even while learning the bobble stitch. Bulky, worsted, or DK-weight yarn can each create a different drape and thickness, so you can choose a yarn that suits the season and your stash. Gift makers can pick a favorite color for a handmade present, while home decor lovers may enjoy coordinating the cowl with a matching blanket or cushion. Along the way, you’ll learn how bobbles are formed and how to keep the surrounding stitches neat, so the finished fabric looks orderly and feels comfortable to wear.
Pin for later!Why You’ll Love This Pattern
This cotton dishcloth is made in simple single crochet rows, so you can work it while learning to keep an even edge and count stitches. The compact rectangle uses one yarn color and a small amount of yarn, making it a practical project for leftover cotton. Its firm, textured fabric suits everyday kitchen use, and the finished cloth is easy to wash.
The sample review below is illustrative, not a quote from a verified pattern tester.
The row count made it easy to stay on track, and the cotton cloth came out sturdy enough for daily use.
— Mara, illustrative sample review
Pattern Overview & Skill Level
- Skill Level: Beginner. You need to chain, single crochet, and turn your work.
- Approximate Time: 2–3 hours, depending on your pace and tension.
- Construction: A flat rectangle worked back and forth in single crochet rows, with no seams or joining.
- Finished Dimensions & Sizing: About 7.5 × 6.5 in (19 × 16.5 cm) after washing and drying, using the gauge below. Small differences in tension will change the finished size.
- Gauge: 16 sc and 12 rows measure about 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm) after washing and drying. Gauge is a useful check; the stated dimensions are approximate.
Materials & Supplies Needed
- Yarn: About 70 yd (64 m) of worsted-weight cotton, #4, in one color. Choose smooth, tightly spun cotton for a durable cloth that absorbs water.
- Hook: 5.0 mm / H-8 crochet hook. If your stitches are loose, try 4.5 mm; if they are very tight, try 5.5 mm and check the fabric and gauge again.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a ruler or tape measure. Stitch markers are optional for marking the row edges.
- Substitutions: A similar-weight cotton blend can work, though acrylic blends may absorb less water and feel different against the skin. If you use a different yarn weight or hook, the cloth’s dimensions and yardage will change; make a gauge swatch before starting.
Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain.
- sc = single crochet: insert the hook in the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
- st(s) = stitch(es).
- rep = repeat.
- turn = rotate the work to begin the next row from the opposite edge.
- RS = right side, the face of the fabric you choose to show.
The turning chain does not count as a stitch. Work the first sc of each row into the first stitch, directly below the turning chain, to keep the sides straight.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
Dishcloth
With the 5.0 mm hook, chain 31. Keep the chain relaxed so the lower edge does not pull in. The first row is worked into the chains, and every later row has 30 stitches.
- Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn. (30 sts)
- Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
- Rows 3–39: Rep Row 2. (30 sts each row)
