Pastel Bobble Washcloth Trio: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

These three sweet square washcloths are the perfect first bobble project: soft, squishy, and quick enough to finish in an evening or two. Each one is worked flat in half double crochet with a border of small beginner-friendly bobble clusters and a narrow colorblocked stripe near one edge. The kawaii pastel palette of cream paired with mint, lilac, or butter yellow makes them look like little candy squares in the bathroom or kitchen. Worked in worsted cotton, they feel absorbent and sturdy in the hand, and they soften with every wash.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn. Per cloth: 120 yd Color A (main) and 30 yd Color B (contrast). For the trio: 360 yd A and 90 yd B total. Sample uses Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (100% cotton, 50g/85yd): A = Vanilla Cream (408); B = Mint Green (425), Lilac (446), and Butter Yellow (453).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), blocking mat and pins
• Finished size: Approximately 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 cm) after blocking

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• yo – yarn over
• bobble – 3-hdc cluster: work 3 incomplete hdc in the same stitch (each time yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, leaving the last loop of each on the hook), then yo and pull through all 4 loops on the hook to close

Gauge

16 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in half double crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section in the middle; adjust your hook size if needed so the cloth finishes at 8 x 8 inches.

Tips Before You Start

• The ch 1 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch, so always work your first hdc into the very first stitch of the row.
• Bobbles sit on the wrong side of the fabric as you work them; they pop out to the right side once you turn. Don't worry if they look tucked in mid-row.
• Change color at the last yarn over of the indicated stitch so the new color is ready for the next row.
• Keep your tension relaxed on bobble rows so the clusters stay puffy and the cloth doesn't pull in at the edges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cloth 1 (Mint)

With A, ch 33.

Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (32 hdc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across (32 hdc).

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first 2 sts, [bobble in next st, hdc in next 3 sts] 7 times, bobble in next st, hdc in last 2 sts (8 bobbles, 24 hdc).

Rows 6-8: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across (32 hdc).

Rows 9-28: Repeat Rows 5-8 five times (total 6 bobble rows).

Row 29: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across (32 hdc).

Row 30: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across, changing to B in last st (32 hdc).

Row 31: With B, ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across (32 hdc).

Row 32: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across, changing to A in last st (32 hdc).

Row 33: With A, ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across (32 hdc). Fasten off.

Cloth 2 (Lilac)

Work as Cloth 1 using Lilac for Color B.

Cloth 3 (Butter Yellow)

Work as Cloth 1 using Butter Yellow for Color B.

Edging (All Cloths)

With right side facing and A, join yarn with sl st in any corner.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire cloth, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st to first sc (approx 124 sc).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

No seaming is needed—each cloth is worked in one piece. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading them through a few stitches in the same color so they stay hidden. Block each cloth to 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 cm): mist with water, pin squarely on a blocking mat, and let dry completely. Blocking opens up the hdc fabric, evens the edges, and makes the bobbles pop.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a matching set in any pastel shades—peach, baby blue, or soft pink work just as well as the sample palette.
• Add a hanging loop: after the final edging round, ch 10 and sl st back to the same corner before fastening off.
• For a denser, scrubbier cloth, go down one hook size (4.5 mm / US 7); for a looser, drapier cloth, go up to 5.5 mm (US I-9).