Yesterday I posted a photo tutorial for the crochet cable stitch, which has proven to be quite popular. Today I am going to share two simple cable stitch dishcloth patterns with you. I love everything about the cable stitch. It works up quickly and it is a simple stitch to master. The result is textured, but delicate, and lends itself really well to lacy work. In a word, it is awesome! Below you will find both patterns, as well as a chart for each pattern. I hope you enjoy working with the cable stitch as much as I do!
Crochet Cable Stitch Dishcloths
© Dedri Uys 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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If you would like to print out the instructions for this pattern, please use the print-friendly button at the bottom of this post.
Materials
- 75 m/80 yards of Drops Paris Cotton or Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton – alternatively use any worsted weight cotton
- 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8), or a 5 mm crochet hook (US 8/H UK 6)
- Yarn needle
Size
Your size depends on the crochet hook you choose to use and/or your gauge. If you would like a more dense cable stitch dishcloth, use a 4 mm crochet hook, which will yield a 6.5″ square dishcloth. If you would like a slightly airier dishcloth, use a 5 mm crochet hook, which will yield a 8″ square dishcloth.
Abbreviations
US Terminology Used. See this comparitive chart for US/UK conversion.
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – Double crochet
- Sc – Single crochet
- St/st’s – Stitch/stitches
Special Stitches
Cable stitch – Skip the next st. Dc in the next 3 st’s. Working in front of the 3 dc’s, yarn over and insert your hook into the skipped stitch. Pull up a loop to the height of the dc’s. (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops) twice, completing an extended (or long) dc. See this photo tutorial if you need a little bit of visual help.
Notes
- When working cable stitch rows, the initial ch-3 will count as a stitch. When working INTO cable stitch rows, don’t forget to work into this ch-3 when you get to the end of the next row.
- When making sc rows, the initial ch st does NOT count as a stitch.
Knock Knees Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
In this version, the cables will slant in opposite directions in every row.
When we were little, my grandpa used to tell us that the tractor tyre tracks were actually made by the claws a giant crab that had tried to get into the farmhouse during the night. This dishcloth reminds me of those tyre tracks and still being young and innocent enough to believe tall tales like that. It also reminds me of my ballet teacher who used to keep telling me: “Heels together, toes apart!”, which I could never do properly, because I have knock knees. Hence the name :)
Written Instructions
Row 1
Ch 35. Sc in the second chain from the hook and each of the remaining 33 ch’s and TURN.
Stitch Count: 34 sc’s
Row 2
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 3 (this counts as your first dc) or start with a chainless double crochet.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the last sc of the previous round.
(Make a cable stitch over the next 4 st’s – see Special Stitches above) 8 times. Dc in the last st and TURN.
Stitch Count: 2 dc’s and 8 cable stitches
Rows 3 – 13
Repeat Row 2, remembering that the beginning ch-3 of each row counts as a stitch.
The 4 st’s that form each cable stitch should fall on top of the 4 st’s from the previous cable stitch. If your cables don’t line up, you have either started in the same stitch as the ch-3, not skipped a stitch when you should have, or skipped too many stitches.
Stitch Count: 2 dc’s and 8 cable stitches
Row 14
Ch 1 and sc in the same stitch. Sc in the remaining 33 st’s across and TURN. Stitch Count: 34 sc’s
Row 15
Ch 1 and sc in the same stitch. Sc in the remaining 33 st’s across. Bind off and work away your tails of yarn. Stitch Count: 34 sc’s
Paternoster Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
In this version, the cables will all slant in the same direction.
This pattern reminds me of the day we went to Paternoster (in South Africa) with my parents-in-law and the choppy nature of the sea that day. One of my crochet idols, Anneke Wiese from Crochet in Paternoster, lives there. Just as an aside, Anneke has got a new pattern for a Twisted Neck Warmer (or Twistie, as it has become known) which is quick to work up and ridiculously popular. She also does some amazing t-shirt yarn rugs.
Your last fact of the day is that Paternoster is Latin for “The Lord’s Prayer”, or “Die Onse Vader”, as I know it.
Written Instructions
Row 1
Ch 35. Sc in the second chain from the hook and each of the remaining 33 ch’s and TURN.
Stitch Count: 34 sc’s
Row 2
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 3 (this counts as your first dc) or start with a chainless double crochet.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the last sc of the previous round.
(Make a cable stitch over the next 4 st’s – see Special Stitches above) 8 times. Dc in the last st and TURN.
Stitch Count: 2 dc’s and 8 cable stitches
Row 3
Ch 1 and sc in the same stitch. Sc in the remaining 33 st’s across and TURN.
Stitch Count: 34 sc’s
Rows 4 – 21
Repeat Rows 2 and 3, remembering that the initial ch-3 of the cable stitch rows counts as a stitch. When you get to the end of Row 21, bind off and work away your tails of yarn.
The 4 st’s that form each cable stitch should fall on top of the 4 st’s from the previous cable stitch 2 rows down. If your cables don’t line up, you have either started in the same stitch as the ch-3, not started in the same st as the ch-1, not skipped a stitch when you should have, or skipped too many stitches.
And there you have it. Two free crochet dishcloth patterns to help you practise (and fall in love with) the crochet cable stitch.
If you would like a more simple dishcloth pattern, why don’t you have a look at my linen stitch dishcloth. The linen stitch is probably the easiest of all the stitch patterns. You don’t even have to know how to work into stitches, just the spaces between stitches.
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Happy Hooking!
Ruth says
I have a question. You chained 35 then started your work in the second from the hook and ended with 34 stitches. Are ;you counting the one on your hook as the first one? If not you only will end up with 33 and most people I’ve worked patterns from say to never count the stitch on the hook.
Jenny says
Yes that is right, Ruth. Skip the first chain from the hook and sc in the next one.
Dianna Angele(Ralph) says
Hi! I made the paternoster cloth and love it! Thank you so so much. I just started crocheting a few weeks ago and am hooked♡
I’d like to make mine a bit longer. So am I figuring it right if I do multiple of 4+2 but also +1? Since ur 35 chain is a skip 1 making it 34 usable stitches?
I was wanting to add 2 more cables per row. Im almost there on figuring it but then get a tad confused when i think of your chain being 35 in leiu of 4+2.
Newby thinking i suppose!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Dianna. You are right that the starting chain should be a multiple of 4 + 3, giving you usable stitches of 4 + 2. Starting with 43 chains will give you 42 stitches per row and 10 Cables per row.
I understand what you mean about getting confused. Sometimes I literally have to chart things out in order for the maths to make sense to me. Have a great day!
Dedri
Colleen says
Thank you not only for some beautiful patterns but for introducing me to cable stitches and the chainless starting double crochet stitch! Feeling very accomplished tonight as I’ve learnt two new stitches. The chainless starting DC is going to revolutionise my crochet world!!
Dedri Uys says
I’m so pleased that you found something useful in there, Colleen. The chainless starting DC is pretty awesome :)
Dianne says
These look very interesting to make. Look forward to more.
sharmita says
i am fond of knitting and comparatively new in crocheting. your drawn pattern is awesome. thanku :)
Lisa says
Love these! Especially the Paternoster dishcloth. Thank you for sharing!