Create Your Own Zigzag Herringbone Cloth with This Free Crochet Pattern in UK and US Terms
- Joanne
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Why use the Zigzag Herringbone Cloth Free Crochet Pattern?
Zigzag Herringbone Cloth Free Crochet Pattern is for an absorbent, lightweight and scrubby textured cloth which is fun and relaxing to make.
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.
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.
The tilted stitches used for the main square provide a herringbone pattern and an interesting chevron edge. This is enhanced by following the path of the stitches with a simple slip stitch edging and surface crochet.
Enjoy making your cloth!
A Gift for You
If you love making washcloths, did you know that I'm publishing a FREE washcloth pattern every month in 2026 in both UK and US terminology plus with a full video for the pattern so as many people as possible can make it? Join my mailing list on this sign up page to get notified when each one is ready to make and you'll also get a copy of my sign-up gift, "The Yarncrafter’s Guide to Creating Sturdy Bags", a workbook with lots of tips, experiments and tests for yarns, tools, stitches etc. to help find the best ones for projects that would benefit from being more sturdy, whether that's a bag, a storage basket or a garment that needs to keep crisp lines or avoid sagging.
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Zigzag Herringbone Cloth: Free Crochet Pattern Info
Sizes
One size with adjustment tips at end.
Tension
12 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
a. Length: 18 cm/7”
b. Width: 18 cm/7”
Requirements
Yarnsmiths Cotton Aran; Aran/worsted weight; 80m (88 yd) per 50g skein; 100% cotton or similar. Sample worked in MC Scarlet Red (4100) and CC Coffee Bean (4079)
MC: 35 m / 40 yd
CC: 20 m / 20 yd
4.5mm / US G+/7 crochet hook
Yarn needle and scissors
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
RS/WS right/wrong side
st/sts stitch/stitches
R/s Row/s or round/s
ch chain (0)
rep repeat
slst slip stitch (.)
UK Terms Herringbone Treble (HBtr)/US Terms Herringbone Double Crochet (HBdc): VIDEO yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull through st and first loop on hook, yo, pull through first loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
Beginning/turning chains count as a stitch unless otherwise specified in pattern instructions.
This pattern is provided here in both UK terminology and US terminology versions is also available. Please be sure you are using the section in your preferred terminology.
I recommend that you read through the pattern before starting.
Method UK Terms View in US Terms
Centre VIDEO
Worked flat, turning at row ends.
With MC work 21 ch
R1: HBtr in 4th ch from hook (3 missed ch count as 1 HBtr), HBtr to end, turn, turn.
R2: 3 ch (counts as 1 HBtr), HBtr to end, turn.
R2-R14: Rep R2 12 times.
Fasten off.
Edging VIDEO
R1: Join CC with slst in last st of Centre R14, slst around, typically you will work 1 slst in each st of R14 and R1 and 3 slst through each row end st, however this can vary according to your tension, so increase or reduce the number of slst as needed to avoid distorting the Centre sts. To enhance the square shape and zigzag appearance of the side, work 1 ch at each change of direction, except for the two softer corners at the end of R14 and the start of R1.
Fasten off CC
Embellishment VIDEO
R1: Join CC with slst in st 7 of R14 of Centre, slst down to R1 following the shape of the sts, typically (3 slst, 1 ch) down each HBtr, repeat from st 13 of R14 of Centre.
Fasten off CC
Method US Terms View in UK Terms
Centre VIDEO
Worked flat, turning at row ends.
With MC work 21 ch
R1: HBdc in 4th ch from hook (3 missed ch count as 1 HBdc), HBdc to end, turn, turn.
R2: 3 ch (counts as 1 HBdc), HBdc to end, turn.
R2-R14: Rep R2 12 times.
Fasten off.
Edging VIDEO
R1: Join CC with slst in last st of Centre R14, slst around, typically you will work 1 slst in each st of R14 and R1 and 3 slst through each row end st, however this can vary according to your tension, so increase or reduce the number of slst as needed to avoid distorting the Centre sts. To enhance the square shape and zigzag appearance of the side, work 1 ch at each change of direction, except for the two softer corners at the end of R14 and the start of R1.
Fasten off CC
Embellishment VIDEO
R1: Join CC with slst in st 7 of R14 of Centre, slst down to R1 following the shape of the sts, typically (3 slst, 1 ch) down each HBdc, repeat from st 13 of R14 of Centre.
Fasten off CC
Finishing VIDEO
Weave in ends and block to measurements provided.
Video Tutorial
Here's the video version too:
Make it your own
Length: for a longer/shorter cloth increase/reduce the number of repeats of R2.
Width: add or reduce sts by any number to increase the width of the cloth
Create a hanging loop for your cloth, when working Edging work 6-10 ch instead of 1 ch in one of the corners.
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 work the centre and edging in 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 #zzherringbonecloth on Instagram and do tag me in your post or caption!
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