Project introduction
This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial. It summarizes the Christmas ornament dishcloth by Kristina L Moore of Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet: supplies, gauge, and construction flow. The pattern is free on the designer’s blog, and a paid ad-free PDF with photos is also available. The complete instructions are at the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.
Related seasonal overviews: Crochet Christmas Elf Gnome: Pattern Overview, Gnome Christmas C2C Pillow: Pattern Overview.
This Christmas Ornament Dishcloth is double sided.
As the heading promises, this dishcloth is double sided, and the designer compares the feel to holding a brillo pad. The thirsty cotton body is ideal for washing dishes, while the center of the bulb carries cluster stitches worked in Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle yarn. Those textured clusters add extra scrubbing power, so one cloth can handle everyday dishes and the tougher spots too.
You may notice that there is a “Pink” dishcloth.
If you spot a pink dishcloth among the project photos, the color is deliberate. The designer shares that she is four years past her cancer diagnosis and now designs chemo caps for others in treatment; her Hope and Harvest page gathers those patterns, and every pattern on her blog is free forever. She invites makers to crochet a pink ornament too, as a tribute to breast cancer fighters, victims, and survivors.
I want to give God all honor and praise for the extreme peace he has given me, during this time.
The designer also shares a short, heartfelt reflection, giving thanks for the deep peace she felt after her mastectomy: restful sleep and no fear, which she calls an undeserved blessing and gift. The passage closes with a reference to Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 in the King James Version.
Gauge
The stated gauge is four rows of height per inch and four single crochet stitches per inch of width. Working to that gauge keeps the ornament at the size the pattern was designed for.
Finished Measurements
The finished dishcloth measures 5.5 inches from the tip to the bottom of the ornament, and 5.5 inches across its widest point.
Hook
The pattern calls for a US size H-8 crochet hook, which measures 5.00 mm.
Notions
The only notions listed are a yarn needle and a pair of scissors. The needle weaves in the ends left by the color changes, and the scissors trim them neatly.
Yarn
The yarn list is short and practical:
- Peaches and Cream cotton yarn, or any comparable dishcloth yarn: about 35-40 yards of the main color, plus a small amount each of the first and third contrasting colors.
- A small amount of Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle yarn, used as the second contrasting color for the textured cluster round.
- For the pink tribute version, the designer used Crafter’s Secret cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby.
Stitch Key
These abbreviations and color labels appear throughout the pattern:
- MC: main color. CC1: first contrasting color, for the stripes. CC2: second contrasting color, the Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle yarn for the cluster round. CC3: third contrasting color, gray or silver, for the hanging cap.
- sc: single crochet. hdc: half double crochet. slp st: slip stitch. dec: decrease, worked as two single crochets together. nxt: next. beg.: beginning.
- An asterisk pair (* *) means repeating the sequence between them the stated number of times; parentheses ( ) work the same way.
Special Stitch Guide
The signature texture comes from the cluster stitch: a yarn over and loop pull into the indicated stitch is repeated four times, then the yarn is drawn through all five loops and closed with a chain one, pushing the cluster forward before the next stitch. Since the piece is crocheted in the round, it needs shaping afterward: grip the sides at three o’clock and nine o’clock and pull, then at twelve o’clock and six o’clock, flattening the dishcloth into its ornament form.
Christmas Ornament Dishcloth Crochet Pattern Overview
The ornament is worked in the round, opening with a chain of three joined into a ring or started as a magic circle. Increase rounds build the round bulb; contrasting stripes and a textured cluster round in scrubby yarn add color and scrubbing power. Decrease rounds taper the top, the final rounds form the small cap, and a chain loop provides the hanger. The piece is finished by weaving in the ends and pulling it into its ornament shape.
Round 1
The first round forms the tiny center of the ornament in the starting ring, closed with a slip stitch, anchoring the bulb for the increases ahead.
Round 2
Increases double the count to fourteen stitches, widening the circle, closed with a slip stitch.
Round 3
Increases continue steadily to twenty-one stitches of single crochet, joined as before so the bulb stays flat.
Round 4
Another increase round reaches twenty-eight stitches, building the width of the ornament bulb.
Round 5
The final increase round reaches thirty-five stitches, with the first contrasting color pulled up at the join.
Round 6
Worked evenly at thirty-five stitches, this round completes the first stripe band as the main color returns.
Round 7
A plain round of single crochet in the main color holds thirty-five stitches, building the bulb before the textured section.
Round 8
This even round prepares the texture ahead, ending with the scrubby sparkle yarn pulled up at the join.
Round 9
The signature round alternates cluster stitches with single crochet, so the scrubby texture stands proud in the bulb’s center, each cluster pushed forward as made. The scrubby yarn is then fastened off, and the main color returns at the join.
Round 10
A simple round of single crochet in the main color smooths the fabric after the textured round, holding thirty-five stitches.
Round 11
The second stripe begins: the main color is dropped at the join and the first contrasting color returns.
Round 12
The stripe continues evenly, then the first contrasting color is fastened off and the main color returns.
Round 13
Spaced decreases shape the bulb down to twenty-eight stitches; here the designer also secures the yarn tails inside the ornament.
Round 14
Decreases continue evenly to twenty-one stitches as the top of the ornament draws in.
Round 15
Another decrease round tightens the top to fourteen stitches as the cap approaches.
Round 16
The final decrease round reaches seven stitches; the main color is ended off as the third contrasting color is pulled up at the join.
Round 17 & 18
Two short, even rounds of single crochet at seven stitches form the little stem of the cap.
Round 19
A chain of five is slip-stitched directly opposite the joining stitch, forming the hanging loop; the work is fastened off and tails are woven in.
How To Shape The Christmas Ornament Dishcloth
A freshly crocheted ornament tends to look round but flat, so a little shaping gives it its tree-ornament character. Grip the sides at three o’clock and nine o’clock and pull gently, then repeat at twelve o’clock and six o’clock, continuing to pull and flatten until the bulb takes its ornament silhouette. The finished piece will not lie completely flat, which suits its fit in the hand.
Copyright statement
This pattern is protected by copyright belonging to Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet, 2021, and may not be sold, altered, or redistributed. Makers may sell their finished dishcloths, while remaining responsible for those items; mass production is not allowed. It is for crafting use only, and each maker is responsible for safe material choices. Credit the designer as Kristina L Moore of KrissysOverTheMountainCrochetAndCrafts.
Read the designer’s safety and care guidelines for full details.
