Lattice Washcloth in Red Heart - LM5938 - Downloadable PDF

Lattice Washcloth in Red Heart – Free Crochet Pattern LM5938

The Lattice Washcloth is a charming, functional crochet project designed by Cassandra Bibler and published by Red Heart. This free downloadable PDF pattern (pattern number LM5938) produces a finished washcloth measuring 7 inches by 7 inches (18 cm x 18 cm) — a perfectly compact size for use in the kitchen as a dishcloth or in the bathroom as a face cloth. The design features a textured lattice surface created through a combination of post stitches, giving the finished piece visual depth and a satisfying tactile quality that makes it both decorative and practical.

Who This Pattern Is For

Rated as a beginner difficulty project, the Lattice Washcloth is an excellent choice for crocheters who are just moving beyond the basics and want to explore simple textured stitch techniques. The pattern introduces front post and back post single crochet stitches, which are beginner-friendly ways to create raised, woven-looking fabric without complex construction. Even if you have never worked post stitches before, the pattern's special abbreviations section explains each technique clearly, making this an ideal learning project.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for RED HEART® Scrubby Smoothie® yarn in color 9205 Aqua, with just 1 ball required to complete the washcloth. This yarn is a worsted weight yarn specifically designed for scrubbing and cleaning applications, making it a natural fit for a washcloth pattern. Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie is known for its unique blend that combines softness with a gentle scrubbing texture, allowing the finished cloth to clean effectively without being harsh on surfaces or skin. Because only one ball is needed, this is also a budget-friendly and stash-friendly project — a great way to use up a single skein of worsted weight yarn.

Recommended Hook and Notions

While the specific hook size is referenced within the full pattern materials list, worsted weight Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie yarn is typically worked with a crochet hook in the 5 mm range, consistent with standard worsted weight recommendations. Beyond yarn and a hook, the only finishing step required is weaving in ends, so no additional notions or materials are necessary.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Lattice Washcloth uses a focused set of crochet stitches that work together to create its signature woven, lattice-like surface texture. The following stitches and techniques are used in this pattern:

• Chain (ch): The foundational stitch used to begin the project and create the starting chain.
• Single Crochet (sc): A basic stitch that forms the structural body of the washcloth.
• Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch incorporated into the design to add height and structure.
• Front Post Single Crochet (Fpsc): Worked by inserting the hook from front to back then to front around the post of the indicated stitch, drawing up a loop, and completing as a single crochet. The stitch behind the Fpsc is skipped. This technique creates a raised ridge on the front surface of the fabric.
• Back Post Single Crochet (Bpsc): Worked by inserting the hook from back to front then to back around the post of the indicated stitch. The stitch in front of the Bpsc is skipped. This creates a recessed effect on the front surface, contributing to the interlocking lattice appearance.
• Reverse Single Crochet (reverse sc): Also known as the crab stitch, this finishing technique involves working single crochet in the opposite direction from the usual working direction — right to left for right-handed crocheters, and left to right for left-handed crocheters. It creates a neat, rope-like edging that frames the finished washcloth beautifully.

Construction and Finishing

The washcloth is worked as a flat, square piece. The combination of Fpsc and Bpsc stitches alternated across rows is what produces the lattice or woven grid effect on the surface of the cloth — a technique that mimics the look of interlaced fabric without any actual weaving. Post stitches work around the vertical post of stitches from the previous row rather than through the top