Third Loop Crocheted Washcloth

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I recently wanted to make a set of crocheted dishcloths as a gift and rather than using one of the patterns I have already made I decided to create a new pattern and I was really pleased with how they turned out.

I wanted to play around a little with a stitch that I really love using in things like hats and circle scarves, things that can be crocheted in the round. The stitch is the half double crochet in the third loop (sometimes called the camel stitch). It works really well, at least for the look I wanted, when worked in the round but it is one of those stitches that doesn't work quite the same when worked back and forth in rows. I have been wanting to find a way to use it in flat items, and actually be happy with the way it looked, and I decided a dishcloth/washcloth was the perfect trial project.

The reason this stitch doesn't work the same when worked flat is because when you make a half double crochet you get the v at the top that you normally work into (front and back loops) and you also get a bar across the back of the stitch or the side facing away from you (the third loop). This bar, or loop, on the back is where you will work your stitches. When working in the round and not turning your work this bar is always on the back and when you work into it it pushes the top of the stitch (the v, or front and back loops) forward creating a sort of sideways faux knit, raised texture.

When you turn your work, working back and forth in rows that moves that third loop to the side facing you as you work and as you turn each row you will have the raised sections on alternating sides, on the back and the front and spaced further apart. It will still look neat, just very different than when worked in the round all on one side.

For this test stitch/project I wanted to keep all of the raised sections on one side so I alternated the third loop half double crochet stitches with rows of single crochet. I thought it made a great texture for a dishcloth and had a really clean, simple look. It is a great way to try out hdc in the third loop if you haven't before.

How to Make a Third Loop Crocheted Washcloth 

You will need:

• 1 ball of medium weight 100% cotton yarn (I used Darice Essentials Cotton in White and Aqua)
• H Crochet Hook
• yarn needle 
• scissors

Instructions:

I gave the washcloths away before I thought to measure them, but you can make the beginning chain as long or short as you want, you don't need a certain number repeat for this stitch pattern. 

Also, you traditionally ch 2 at the beginning of a hdc row but because the top of the stitch is pushed down these hdc are a little shorter and I found 1 ch gave me a better height (just don't make it too tight). If you find that 1 ch at the turns is too short you can ch 2 instead. You won't be working into the turning ch and will be crocheting a border around it at the end. 

turning ch does not count as a stitch

ch 29

Row 1: hdc in third ch from hook and each ch across (28 hdc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in the third loop of each stitch across (28 sc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch to the the end (28 hdc)

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have a square, ending with a single crochet row.

ch 1, work sc evenly around the washcloth (I worked 1 sc in the end of each row along the sides and in each stitch along the top and bottom), working 3 sc in each corner, slip stitch to first sc to join, finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends