Meadow Bloom Petal Cloth Free Pattern
Special Stitches (explained fully):
- Tulip Petal (TP): Work [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] all into the same stitch or chain space. In other words: make one double crochet, chain one, make a second double crochet in that same spot, chain one, then make a third double crochet in that same spot. This creates a little fan of three tall stitches with tiny gaps between them — the petal.
- Leaf (L): Work [sc, ch 2, sc] all into the same stitch. In other words: make one single crochet, chain two, then make a second single crochet into that same stitch. This makes a small pointed bump — the leaf.
Gauge
Gauge: 14 single crochet stitches x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet.
Why gauge matters: Gauge simply means how big your stitches come out. If your stitches are bigger than the pattern expects, your cloth will turn out larger than 9 x 9 inches; if they are smaller, it will turn out smaller. Matching gauge is how you make sure your finished piece comes out the size the pattern promises.
How to make a gauge swatch: With your White yarn and J/10 (6.0 mm) hook, chain 20. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across (19 sc). Work 16 rows of single crochet, chaining 1 and turning at the start of each row. Lay the swatch flat and use a ruler to measure a 4-inch-wide section across the middle. Count how many stitches fit in those 4 inches, and how many rows fit in 4 inches vertically. If you have about 14 stitches and 16 rows, you are right on target. If you have more stitches than that, your work is too tight — try a larger hook. If you have fewer, your work is too loose — try a smaller hook. Do not skip this step; it takes ten minutes and saves you from a disappointing surprise at the end.
Beginner Tips Before You Start
- Count your stitches at the end of every row. Every row in this pattern ends with (30 sc). If you count and find 29 or 31, you have accidentally skipped or added a stitch. Catching it right away is easy; catching it ten rows later is frustrating.
- Use stitch markers to mark your first and last stitch of each row. The very first stitch of a row is easy to miss because it sits right at the edge, and the ch-1 at the start of a row does not count as a stitch. Clip a marker into the first real stitch and the last real stitch so you always know where to begin and stop.
- Do not pull your yarn too tight. Beginners often grip the yarn like they are holding on for dear life, which makes tiny, stiff stitches that are hard to work into. Aim for even, relaxed tension — the yarn should glide, not squeak.
- Keep your unused colors loose. When you change colors, leave the resting color hanging with a little slack along the side edge. If you pull it tight, the cloth will pucker and pull inward at the edges.
- Work your color changes on the last stitch of the old color. To change color, make the stitch as normal but pull the new color through on the final "yarn over and pull through" step. This keeps the color change neat and on the correct side.
- Cotton has no stretch, and that is a good thing. Cotton yarn is firm and does not bounce back like wool, which makes it perfect for washcloths but means you should keep your tension gentle so your hands do not tire.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Notes before you begin: The washcloth is worked flat in rows from the bottom up. The tulip motifs are created using a combination of single crochet, double crochet, and chain spaces to form raised petals. Change colors as instructed; carry the unused colors loosely along the side or fasten off and rejoin. Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch unless otherwise stated — your first single crochet of each row goes into the very first stitch.
Section 1: Foundation and First Leaf Band
Row 1 (RS): With White, ch 31. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (30 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, sc in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. (30 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, L in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. Fasten off Sage Green. (30 sc)
Row 5: With White, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Section 2: First Tulip Band
Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, TP in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. (30 sc)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch-1 sp, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. (30 sc)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. Fasten off Hot Pink. (30 sc)
Row 9: With White, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-1 sp across. (30 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Section 3: Second Leaf Band
Row 11: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, sc in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. (30 sc)
Row 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, L in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. Fasten off Sage Green. (30 sc)
Row 13: With White, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Section 4: Second Tulip Band
Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, TP in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. (30 sc)
Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch-1 sp, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. (30 sc)
Row 16: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. Fasten off Hot Pink. (30 sc)
Row 17: With White, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-1 sp across. (30 sc)
Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Section 5: Third Leaf Band
Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, sc in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. (30 sc)
Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *change to Sage Green, L in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sts. Fasten off Sage Green. (30 sc)
Row 21: With White, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)
Section 6: Third Tulip Band
Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, TP in next st, change to White, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 5 sts. (30 sc)
Row 23: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 5 sts, *change to Hot Pink, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc]
