How to Crochet a Washcloth in Mosaic Crochet – Free Starburst Washcloth Pattern

Looking for a quick project that will expand your crochet skills, keep you engaged, and create an eye-catching piece of functional art to use around your home? The Starburst Mosaic Washcloth is as pretty as it is practical! Grab the free pattern and learn how to crochet a washcloth in mosaic crochet.

The name of the technique used in this dishcloth—overlay mosaic crochet—gives you a clue about the structure of the fabric. To create the design, some of the stitches from each round are worked over the round below. The result is a thick, layered cloth that’s excellent for absorbing spills.

An added bonus when working mosaic crochet in the round is that instead of cutting off the yarn each round, you’ll be carrying it throughout the project. That eliminates most of the yarn ends which means less time spent weaving them in (yay)!

Don’t have time to make this now? Pin the image below for later.

The Yarn

I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby for the washcloth pictured here. ILTC is a super soft worsted weight cotton that feels great against the skin. It creates kitchen items that are easy on the your hands, which you will appreciate if you wash a lot of dishes.

You can choose any brand of worsted weight cotton you want/have. BUT you will definitely want to use a cotton yarn so that your dishcloth is absorbent and cleans your dishes well. Other fibers do not have the same properties.

The Hook

I used a size H/8/5mm crochet hook to make this dishcloth. However, each crocheter has their own style so you may prefer to use a different size. If you’re not getting the size and tension you want, try going up or down a hook size.

If you don’t have a favorite hook or you want to try something new, one of my favorites is Furls crochet hooks, like these Streamline Wood Hooks. They have an ergonomic shape that feels so good in my hand. I recommend you try one for sure!

Purchase A Furls Wooden Hook Here

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How do You Crochet A Washcloth in Mosaic Crochet?

To successfully complete this dishcloth, you’ll need to be familiar with mosaic crochet. If you’ve never heard of the technique before, that’s okay! Let me break it down for you.

Overlay Mosaic Crochet is a technique that requires you to work in the BLO (back loop only) and then drop down to pick up the front loop of stitches from lower rows which creates textured stitches that lay over the stitches from previous rows and can be used to create wonderfully intricate patterns.

This pattern is worked on one side only, carrying the unworked yarn under the first BLOsc of each round, then dropping the unworked yarn to the wrong side of the work. Each new round consists of only ONE color, but with the use of the sc and drop down dc stitches, you get the mosaic design. Most overlay mosaic patterns come with a chart. The symbols on the chart tell you when to use a dc and when to use the special drop down dc.

• Learn the basics of overlay mosaic crochet.
• Practice with a Free & Simple swatch pattern.
• Crochet a similar square – the Mosaic Granny Square

It seems complicated, but I promise, it’s super easy (and addictive) as you go. Not only that, but once you master overlay mosaic crochet, you’ll be able to create many of the most popular designs on this blog.

Video Tutorial of this Pattern

Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel, comment that you joined in from the Mosaic in a Month CAL, and like the videos. Thank you so much!

Interested in Crochet dishcloths and Other Small Projects?

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• Simple Moss Stitch Washcloth
• 19 Quick and Easy Mosaic Crochet Patterns
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• Crochet (& Knit) Patterns to Use Up All Your Yarn Scraps

get the pattern and Learn How to Crochet the Starburst Mosaic Washcloth

The Starburst Mosaic Crochet Washcloth pattern has been provided to you for free on this blog. However, it may be easier and more enjoyable to purchase a beautifully-designed, ad-free pattern. You may print it or save it in your digital files for later use. You can purchase this pattern for just a few dollars from shop (you can add it to your Ravelry pattern library from there)! You can also buy the pattern from Ravelry or Etsy, or view it on Gosadi.

OR

Scroll down to view the pattern for free on the blog!

Free Pattern for the Starburst Mosaic Crochet Washcloth

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted (#4) weight cotton yarn in 2, colors – 70 yards of each color
  • I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby
• Size H/5mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Gauge

(worked using the pattern as written)
Rounds 1-8 = 4”x4” square
Measured on the wrong side

Finished Measurements

10” x 10”

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terminology)

• BLOsc – Back Loop Only Single Crochet
• ch – Chain
• FLOdc – Front Loop Only Double Crochet
• mc – Magic Circle
• rsc – Reverse Single Crochet (crab stitch)
• sc – Single Crochet
• sk – Skip
• st – Stitch
• You’ll find a video tutorial for this pattern here.

Special Stitches

Corner

BLOsc, ch1, BLOsc

Worked together into the BLO of the ch 1 of the corner in the row below. 

Except for Round 2 when it’s worked into the BLO of the indicated sc.

Back Loop Only Single Crochet (BLOsc)

Insert hook through the back loop of indicated stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo pull through both loops on hook.

Front Loop Only Double Crochet (FLOdc)

Yo, insert hook through the front loop of the stitch 2, rows below, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops on hook, yo, pull through remaining loops.

Note: images are from a different pattern

Invisible Join

Work last stitch, Remove hook from loop, Insert hook through back of 1st stitch of row, Grab dropped loop, Pull yarn loop though. (May also use sl st to join.)

Click here for a video tutorial.

Crab Stitch – Reversible Single Crochet – RSC

Pattern Notes

• Sts between *asterisks* are repeated on each side of the square
• Sts between [brackets] are worked in consecutive stitches, and repeated as indicated.
• Sts between (parenthases) are worked in consecutive stitches, and repeated as indicated.
• The ch 1 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch.
• Pattern is worked in the round. Each round (except Round 1) begins with the corner sts.
• The Corner stitches (BLOsc, ch1, BLOsc) are worked together into the BLO of the ch 1 of the corner in the row below. 
• Carry the unworked yarn under the first BLOsc of each round, then drop the unworked yarn to the wrong side of the work and continue working.
• A chart for this pattern is included as well. 
• For Round 20, work one rsc per stitch, even in the corners.
• Click here for a video tutorial.

Mosaic Crochet Chart for the Starburst Washcloth

Pattern Instructions

Round 1: With Color A, make a mc, ch 1, 8 sc in mc, Invisible join to in 1st st.

Round 2: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner (see Special Stitches), BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 3: With Color A,  ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 4: With Color B,  ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 5: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x3, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 6: With Color B,  ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc] x3, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 7: With Color A,  ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, FLOdc,] x2, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 8: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, FLOdc, BLOsc x3, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st. 

Round 9: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2] x4, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 10: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, FLOdc] x2, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 11: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x2, FLOdc, BLOsc x3, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x2, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 12: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x6, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 13: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, (FLOdc, BLOsc x2,) x3 FLOdc], x2, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 14: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x3 FLOdc, BLOsc x3, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x3, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 15: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x8, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 16: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, (FLOdc, BLOsc x2,) x4 FLOdc], x2, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 17: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x4 FLOdc, BLOsc x3, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x4, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 18: With Color B, ch 1, *Corner, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2,] x10, FLOdc, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 19: With Color A, ch 1, *Corner, [BLOsc, (FLOdc, BLOsc x2,) x5 FLOdc,] x2, BLOsc, repeat from * around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Round 20: With Color B, ch 1, rsc in each st around. Invisible join in 1st st.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Ready, Set… CROCHET!

This Pattern was Featured In…

Definitely post pictures and share about the blog hop on any social media you have. When you make this dishcloth, be sure to tag me @juniperandoakes and use #juniperandoakes so we can see your progress!

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2024. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.