Alternating Loops Dishcloth

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It has been a while since I have shared a dishcloth pattern. I know I say this every time I do share a dishcloth pattern, but they are such a great way to try new stitches and play around with the different textures you can create with crochet. Plus, they are an easy way to add a little something handmade to a gift. Pair a dishcloth with some kitchen items, a cute dish, some kitchen utensils, etc. Or use it as a washcloth and pair it with some body care items, nice smelling soap or lotion, or something similar. 

One of the things I really love about crochet is all of the different textures you can get by simply changing up the combination of stitches. In this particular stitch you only use one stitch, half double crochet, the texture is created by the stitch placement. I was amazed by the amount of texture you get by simply alternating the placement of your stitches. 

Instead of working in the top two loops of the stitch that create a little v like you normally do, this stitch pattern is created by alternating working in the front and back loops of each stitch. This causes some of the stitches to be pushed forward and others to be pushed back, which gives a really nice texture to the stitch. 

I was at Hobby Lobby not too long ago, not looking for yarn but I couldn't help but make my way to the yarn section just to browse. I saw these pretty shades of red (Burnt Sienna) and green (Olive) and thought it would be perfect for a little set of Christmas dishcloths. I added some Ivory to complete the set. I think the colors are so pretty for Christmas, but you could obviously use any colors you want, to match you kitchen or bathroom decor, in colors for another holiday, in someone's favorite colors, or even just in a color of cotton yarn you happen to have in your stash. 

How to Crochet an Alternating Loops Dishcloth

You will need:

• 1 skein of cotton yarn (samples made in I Love this Cotton in Burnt Sienna, Olive, and Ivory)
• H crochet hook (5 mm)
• yarn needle

Instructions:

The texture in this stitch is created by alternating working the stitches in the back loop and the front loop.

My finished cloths were about 8" square after adding the border, for larger cloths increase the beginning ch by a multiple of 2 (it should start with an even number) and increase the number of rows to make a square. 

Turning chain does not count as a stitch. 

blo- back loop only

flo- front loop only

ch 30

Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook (turning ch does not count as a stitch), hdc in each st to end (28 hdc)

Rows 2-17: ch 2, turn, [hdc in flo of first st, hdc in blo] repeat to end (28 hdc, 14 worked in flo, 14 worked in blo)

Do not cut yarn, move on to border

Border

Round 1: beginning at the corner where you finished you last row, ch 1, turn 90 degrees so you are working down the side, sc evenly down the side (I worked about 22-23 sts evenly spaced along each side), at the corner work 3 sc, sc in each st across the bottom, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly up the other side (try to get the same number of sts as the first side), 3 sc in corner, sc in each st across the top, 2 more sc in the corner where you started, sl st to the first sc to join 

Round 2: ch 1, [sc in each st down the side, 3 sc in corner st] repeat around, sl st to first sc to join

Finish off and weave in ends.