Create Your Own Cinema Washcloth with This Free Crochet Pattern in UK and US Terms

Why use the Cinema Washcloth Free Crochet Pattern?

This is a really absorbent, thick and scrubby textured cloth which is fun and relaxing to make. It makes a great mat too!

Work it up in a couple of bold contrast colours for a fun look, a pair of similar shades for a subtle variegation. Otherwise, try a single colour that matches your kitchen or bathroom or one that will add a seasonal touch or the favourite shade of a gift recipient.

Not only is the textured fabric perfect to mop up spills and clean or protect work surfaces, it’s also ideal for when you want to crochet but might not be able to look at your work either because you want to keep your eyes on something else or because you can’t easily see, hence the name Cinema washcloth; it’s my go to project when I take my children to see a film that isn’t going to be much to my own taste.

The Cinema Washcloth Free Crochet Pattern is part of a series of monthly washcloth patterns released throughout 2026. I was so pleased with how popular my Endearment Washcloth was when it launched in January, that I decided I should make a washcloth pattern each month available free on my website in both UK and US terminology plus with a full video for the pattern so as many people as possible can make it.

If you prefer using a downloadable or printable pattern rather than working from patterns on websites, this pattern is also available to purchase as a printable pdf on Ravelry.

Add to your Pinterest to find the pattern easily

Cable Smocked Washcloth: Free Crochet Pattern

Sizes: One size with adjustment tips at end.

Tension: 17 sts x 8  rows = 10cm x 10cm / 4” x 4” measured over main patt rep

Working method: Centre is worked bottom up. Piece is edged.

Finished measurements (see schematic)

a. Length: 15cm / 6”

b. Width: 15cm / 6”

Requirements

Lily Sugar ‘n Cream; Aran/worsted weight: 109m (120 yd) per 70g / 2.5 oz skein; 100% cotton or similar (Sample worked in MC Hot Green 01712 and CC Orchid 01137)

MC: 35 m / 40 yd

CC: 25 m / 30 yd

4.5mm / US G+/7 crochet hook

1 Locking stitch marker

Yarn needle and scissors

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

st/sts    stitch/stitches

R          Row/s or round/s

RS/WS  right/wrong side

ch        chain (0)

rep       repeat

slst        slip stitch (.)

dc        double crochet (x)

htr        half treble (T)

tr          treble (2)

chsp    chain space

F/BP     Font/Back Post, i.e. work stitch around the post of the stitch below instead of through its head starting from the front/back.

Pattern Notes

Beginning/turning chains do not count as a stitch unless specified in pattern instructions.

This pattern uses UK terminology and a US terminology version is also available. Please be sure you are using a copy in your preferred terminology.

I recommend that you read through the pattern before starting.

Method UK Terms View in US Terms

CENTRE

Set Up

Worked flat in rows, turning at end of each row.

With MC, 27 ch.

R1(RS): 1 tr in 4th ch from hook, tr to end, turn. 25 sts

R2(WS): 2 ch, *1 FPtr, 1 BPtr, rep from * to last st, 1htr pulling CC through instead of MC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

Do not fasten off.

Repeat

R3:       With CC, 2 ch, *1 FPtr, 1 BPtr, rep from * to last st, 1htr, turn.

R4:       2 ch, *1 FPtr, 1 BPtr, rep from * to last st, 1htr pulling MC through instead of CC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

R5:       With MC, 2 ch, *1 FPtr, 1 BPtr, rep from * to last st, 1htr, turn.

R6:       2 ch, *1 FPtr, 1 BPtr, rep from * to last st, 1htr** pulling CC through instead of MC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

Rep R3-R6 twice more, ending at ** on final row.

Do not fasten off either yarn.

EDGING

R1:       Continuing in MC, 1 ch (does not count as st), *2 dc around end st of last row, 2 dc around end st of next row, 1 dc around end st of each row to last 2 row end sts, [2 dc around end st of next row] twice, 2 ch, htr along next side, missing both row end sts and alternate BP sts, 2 ch, rep from * once more and slst in 1st st of round. 70-74 sts, 4 2chsp

Fasten off MC

R2:       Pull CC through nearest edging st, *slst in each edging st to corner 2chsp, (1 dc 2 ch, 1 dc) in corner 2chsp, rep from * three more times slst in each edging st to 1st st of round. 70-74 sts, 4 2chsp.

Fasten off CC

Skip US terms and continue with finishing

Method US Terms View in UK Terms

CENTRE

Set Up

Worked flat in rows, turning at end of each row.

With MC, 27 ch.

R1(RS): 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, dc to end, turn. 25 sts

R2(WS): 2 ch, *1 FPdc, 1 BPdc, rep from * to last st, 1 hdc pulling CC through instead of MC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

Do not fasten off.

Repeat

R3:       With CC, 2 ch, *1 FPdc, 1 BPdc, rep from * to last st, 1 hdc, turn.

R4:       2 ch, *1 FPdc, 1 BPdc, rep from * to last st, 1 hdc pulling MC through instead of CC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

R5:       With MC, 2 ch, *1 FPdc, 1 BPdc, rep from * to last st, 1 hdc, turn.

R6:       2 ch, *1 FPdc, 1 BPdc, rep from * to last st, 1 hdc** pulling CC through instead of MC to create loop on hook to start next row, turn.

Rep R3-R6 twice more, ending at ** on final row.

Do not fasten off either yarn.

EDGING

R1:       Continuing in MC, 1 ch (does not count as st), *2 sc around end st of last row, 2 sc around end st of next row, 1 sc around end st of each row to last 2 row end sts, [2 sc around end st of next row] twice, 2 ch, hdc along next side, missing both row end sts and alternate BP sts, 2 ch, rep from * once more and slst in 1st st of round. 70-74 sts, 4 2chsp

Fasten off MC

R2:       Pull CC through nearest edging st, *slst in each edging st to corner 2chsp, (1 sc 2 ch, 1 sc) in corner 2chsp, rep from * three more times slst in each edging st to 1st st of round. 70-74 sts, 4 2chsp.

Fasten off CC

Here's the video version too:

Finishing

Weave in ends and block to measurements provided.

Make it your own

Length: for a longer/shorter cloth increase/reduce the number of repeats of R3-R6.

Width: add multiples of 2 sts to increase the width of the cloth

Create a hanging loop for your cloth, when working Edging R2,  work 6-10 ch instead of 2 ch in one of the corner 2chsps. 

Yarn choice: any kind of plant fibre or washcloth yarn could be used. Using a different yarn weight with a hook that matches the manufacturer’s recommendations will result in a smaller or larger cloth

Colour changes: use up lots of different yarn scraps to make each row a new colour for a bold colourful cloth or a single colour  for a more subtle look.

Remember that you’ll need to allow extra yarn for some changes.

How did it go?

I love to hear from anyone who uses one of my patterns to create a project. Any feedback you give about the pattern will help me develop future patterns that are easy to follow and it’s always exciting to see in-progress or finished projects created using my patterns. Use #cinemawashcloth on Instagram and do tag me in your post or caption!

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