There’s something so special about decorating the kitchen for the holidays. This festive little project doubles as a dishcloth or a cheerful afghan square. The raised bobble stitches form the shape of a Christmas tree, giving you texture and a subtle seasonal design without being too fussy.
It’s the kind of project you can work up in an evening while watching a Christmas movie (I had Elf on in the background while stitching mine!). Pop a couple into a gift basket with some homemade treats, and you’ve got the perfect handmade hostess gift.
What You’ll Need
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in green (1 ball)
- Hook: US H/5.00 mm crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle
- Finished Size: About 9” x 9”
Gauge isn’t critical, but I worked at 14 sc x 15 rows = 4.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
Bobble: YO, insert hook into designated st and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops. Repeat [YO, insert hook in same st, pull up loop, YO, pull through 2] three more times. YO and pull through all 5 loops on hook. Ch 1 to secure.
Pattern Instructions
Foundation
Row 1: Ch 28 loosely. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch. (27 sts)
Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, sc across.
Tree Bobbles
- Row 4 (Bobble Row): Ch 1, turn, sc 13, Bobble, sc to end. (1 Bobble)
- Row 5: Sc across.
- Row 6 (Bobble Row): Sc 12, Bobble, sc, Bobble, sc to end. (2 Bobbles)
- Row 7: Sc across.
- Row 8 (Bobble Row): Sc 11, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 2 times, sc to end. (3 Bobbles)
- Row 9: Sc across.
- Row 10 (Bobble Row): Sc 10, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 3 times, sc to end. (4 Bobbles)
- Row 11: Sc across.
- Row 12 (Bobble Row): Sc 9, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 4 times, sc to end. (5 Bobbles)
- Row 13: Sc across.
- Row 14 (Bobble Row): Sc 8, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 5 times, sc to end. (6 Bobbles)
- Row 15: Sc across.
- Row 16 (Bobble Row): Sc 7, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 6 times, sc to end. (7 Bobbles)
- Row 17: Sc across.
- Row 18 (Bobble Row): Sc 6, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 7 times, sc to end. (8 Bobbles)
- Row 19: Sc across.
- Row 20 (Bobble Row): Sc 5, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 8 times, sc to end. (9 Bobbles)
- Row 21: Sc across.
- Row 22 (Bobble Row): Sc 11, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 2 times, sc to end. (3 Bobbles)
- Row 23: Sc across.
- Row 24 (Bobble Row): Sc 11, Bobble, [sc, Bobble] 2 times, sc to end. (3 Bobbles)
Rows 25–27: Sc across.
Border
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 3 sc in corner, sc evenly across each side, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st. (112 sc)
Round 2: Sl st into corner, ch 1, working in back loops only, 3 sc in each corner, sc across sides. Join. (120 sc)
Round 3: Work sl st in back loops only all around, join, fasten off.
Finishing Touches
Weave in ends. Give your dishcloth a light steam or blocking to square it up.
This piece makes a sweet stand-alone dishcloth, but it also works beautifully as part of a patchwork afghan. Try making several in different Christmas colors—red, white, or even sparkly yarns—for a festive set.
Tip for gifting: Wrap your finished dishcloth around a wooden spoon or homemade cookie mix jar, and you’ve got a thoughtful handmade gift.
