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!
sheryl says
I’m going to try that as potholders
Lisa says
Hi Dedri,
Just had to say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these patterns!!! Can’t wait to make them. I have been looking for something different to add to a kitchen set I am making for someone very dear to my heart and these are PERFECT. Thank You So Much for sharing!!!
Love & Light and All The Best,
Lisa
Leticia says
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been thinking of giving crochet cables a try but have been afraid to get overwhelmed with a large project, this wash clothes are perfect to take on a new adventure!!!
Dedri Uys says
You are welcome, Leticia. Enjoy!
Fontella says
I teach a crochet class at the YMCA and the ladies are wanting to learn the crocheted cable stitch. I would love to use this pattern to teach them this unique stitch.
Fontella in Missouri
Dedri Uys says
Hi Fontella. That’s fine. Thank you for asking.
Dedri
Fontella says
Thank you! The ladies will be excited!
Margie Melendy says
I love the Paternoster pattern. I’m making a baby blanket with it for the NICU unit I make blankets for. I’m using a light pink, blue and white varigated yarn. I loved looking up the info on Paternoster West Africa I found it so interesting. I know you were glad to visit there. Thanks for letting me visit a wonderful place from my “recliner”.
KPthatsme2 says
Just made my first Knockkneed version two days ago and posted pic on Facebook. So cute. Starting Paternoster now. Thank you for sharing your pattern and tutorial.
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome. I’m glad you like the pattern :)
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) says
These are so great! I spent the weekend trying out both and I think I have found a new favourite pattern! I can’t wait to make more. :)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kristilyn. I love your blog name. I am not a huge winter fan, but reading in winter sure sounds more idyllic than reading in summer!
Elainebitt says
Dedri, I got it right now, I was not skipping a stitch after each section. I will post pics at Ravelry once I am done.
Thank you for the pic tutorial, that’s what helped me!
E.
Dedri Uys says
Ah, I just replied that I wondered if that was maybe it. I’m pleased that you’ve sorted it.
Elaine says
I am having a little problem and I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. I am making the “knock knees” pattern, in the round (after joining I turn), as a earwarmer/headband. I started chaining 72, then a round of sc. Then I started the pattern in round 2, but when I finish round 2 I have almost 20 stitches more than I should have! I am not sure what I am doing wrong, I have ripped it twice already.
Hope you can help, thanks in advance!
E.
Dedri Uys says
I think the problem might be that you aren’t skipping that first stitch of each repeat? Have you had a look at the photo tutorial?
Alexis Kirkopoulos says
If I wanted to make a blanket with this cable stitch, how long would I have to chain? Thank you
Dedri Uys says
Hi Alexis. That would depend very much on how large you want your blanket to be, what kind of yarn you’re using, how big your hook is… You will need to be a little bit more specific in order for me to help you.
Elainebitt says
It would be however wide you want it to be, as long it’s a multiple of 4+2.
Make a long chain, lay it down on your bed and see if you like the width, if you do just count the chains to make sure you have a multiple of 4 + 2 (those 2 extra chains are for one DC stitch on each side of the blanket).
That’s what I’d do anyway. HTH.
wendy says
thanks heaps for the patterns! i was looking for a fresh dishcloth idea and came across these in google! gorgeous and free… thank you for sharing your hard work!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you :)
tara says
Love the look of this pattern, but when I am at the end of my row and I chain 3 and turn, it seems like my cables end up on the back side of the cloth every other row… any idea what it could be that I’m doing incorrectly? Thank you!!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Tara. I think that you might be making your long dc in front of the other 3 dc’s instead of over them.
Rocío says
Esta hermosa el tutoríal de este patrón me encantan los colores, pero sobre todo gracias por el gráfico, ya que ayuda mucho a quienes hablamos en español, felicidades!!!
Angelica says
Howdy, Dedri. Thanks a lot for these patterns. I don’t think they are ‘just’ a little pattern, with them you’ve convinced me of three things: dishcloths may be pretty and they are much more useful as stitch samplers than the tradinional ones, sure. An last but not least, I’m going to start making my own dishcloths for practicing crochet and, if they come out pretty enough, for gifts… Christmas is coming… ;)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Angelica. I am so pleased that you have found this pattern so useful. Dishcloths are my favourite way to practise new stitches, because at the end, I have a lovely little dishcloth and I’ve used the stitch enough to know if I like it enough to use it on a bigger project.
Allegra says
Hi Dedri,
thank you so much for the wonderful patterns for the 2 Dishcloths ..
Wow – they look pretty nice! Wonderful colors also :) If i have crocheted a few of them, i will upload
the pictures to my blog here —> The Crochet-owl & I let my readers know from where i’ve got the pattern, okay?
Best regards
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Allegra :)
Mathilda Scheepers says
Stunning…Can one buy Drops Paris & Lion Brand anywhere in South Africa?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Mathilda. I asked around a bit. The closest you can get is Raeesa or Colours of Grace.
Mathilda Scheepers says
Pragtig.. waar koop jy Drops Paris of Lion Brand in Suid Africa? Jou werk is Stunning!
Dedri Uys says
Baie dankie, Mathilda. Die naaste is Raeesa of Colours of Grace :)
Carrie says
I love the history that go into your posts. It’s so sweet :)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Carrie :)
Lorainne says
Beautiful and thank you for sharing your patterns
Rhondda Mol says
Dedri, these dishcloths are so pretty :) I love them! and it is a great way to practise cables :) Thank you! Rhondda
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Rhondda. Just a simple little pattern, but they make me happy to look at x