A little crochet tree in soft yarn adds a handmade touch to a mantel, shelf, or wrapped gift. These holiday decorations can be kept simple with a classic green shape, or made in playful colors to suit your home. They are a good fit for beginners who want practice with basic stitches, and for gift makers who enjoy finishing a small project in an evening. Home decor lovers can use the finished trees on their own or string several together as a garland. You will find ideas for working flat or shaping a tree in the round, along with tips for keeping your edges neat and your stitches even. The small size makes these patterns satisfying to finish, and they use little enough yarn to put leftover skeins to work.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

A firm cotton fabric and simple rows of single crochet make this dishcloth useful at the sink and easy to work on between other projects. The pattern uses one stitch throughout, so you can focus on keeping the edges straight instead of learning a complicated repeat.

It takes about two to three hours, depending on your pace, and one ball of worsted cotton is usually enough. The plain square also makes a practical handmade gift, especially when paired with a bar of soap or folded into a kitchen set.

The texture is dense enough for everyday washing but still flexible when wet. If you have made a chain and single crochet before, you can work this pattern without special tools or shaping.

The rows were easy to keep track of, and the cotton made a sturdy cloth. I finished mine in an afternoon and have already started another.

— Marta, home crocheter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner. You need to know how to chain and single crochet.
Approximate Time: 2–3 hours, depending on tension and experience.
Construction: Worked flat in back-and-forth rows, then finished by fastening off and weaving in the ends. There is no seam or separate border.
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: About 8 × 8 in (20 × 20 cm), using the gauge below. Cotton yarn and individual tension affect the final measurements.
Gauge: 15 single crochet stitches and 15 rows measure about 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm) after the fabric is washed and dried flat. Gauge is a guide for reaching the stated size, not a reason to pull the stitches tight.

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: About 85 yd (78 m) of worsted-weight cotton yarn, category #4. One solid color is enough; choose a shade that can handle frequent washing.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm / H-8 crochet hook. Use the hook that gives you the stated gauge; a smaller hook makes denser fabric, while a larger hook makes a looser cloth.
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a ruler or tape measure. A stitch marker is optional for marking the first row.
Substitutions: Cotton-linen yarn can make a firm, absorbent cloth, though it may feel less soft at first. Cotton blends can work if the care label suits regular washing. Acrylic is less absorbent and may feel slippery or hold odors, so it is not the first choice for a dishcloth. Substituting a different yarn weight changes the finished size and may change how much yarn you need.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: Chain stitch.
sc: Single crochet. Insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over again, then pull through both loops.
st(s): Stitch(es).
Turning chain: The chain made at the start of a row to bring the hook up to working height. In this pattern, it does not count as a stitch.

Work each single crochet through both top loops of the stitch unless an instruction says otherwise. No special stitches are used.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Dishcloth Body

Make a starting chain that is relaxed, not tight. At the end of each row, count the single crochet stitches, not the turning chain. The stitch count stays at 30 throughout.

Row 1: Ch 31. Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 12: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 13: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 14: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 15: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 16: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 17: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 18: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 19: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 20: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 21: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 22: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 23: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 24: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 25: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 26: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 27: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 28: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 29: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 30: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough to weave in. (30 sts)

Finishing

Lay the cloth flat and check that it measures close to 8 in (20 cm) on each side. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and weave it through several stitches on the wrong side. Change direction once so the end is secure, then trim the excess. Weave in the starting tail the same way. Wash and dry the cloth before first use to settle the stitches and check its finished shape.

Care & Washing Instructions

Wash cotton in a washing machine on a warm cycle, around 40°C (104°F), or follow the yarn label if it gives a different temperature.
Lay flat to dry, smoothing the edges so they do not curl as the cloth dries.
While damp, gently reshape the corners and sides; avoid stretching the fabric beyond its finished measurements.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Keep your chain and single crochet stitches at an even, relaxed tension. A tight starting chain can pull the bottom edge inward; if yours is noticeably narrower, make the foundation chain with a hook one size larger, then change back for Row 1.
Count the stitches at the end of every row. The turning chain does not count, so each row should contain 30 single crochets. A marker in the first stitch can help you spot the last stitch of the next row.
Weave yarn tails through the wrong side of the fabric, following the stitch paths rather than pulling straight across the surface. This helps keep the ends discreet and secure after washing.
To make a larger square, add an even number of chains and work more rows to match the new width. Each extra stitch and row uses more yarn; check the dimensions as you go rather than relying on row count alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different yarn for this dishcloth?

Yes. Cotton or a cotton-linen blend is a practical choice because it absorbs water and tolerates regular washing. A different yarn weight will change the size and texture, so make a gauge swatch and expect to use a different amount of yarn.

How can I make the cloth smaller or larger?

For a narrower cloth, begin with fewer chains, then work the same number of rows as the finished width requires. For a wider cloth, add chains and work additional rows until the height is close to the width. More stitches and rows mean more yarn.

Is this pattern suitable for a first crochet project?

Yes, if you are comfortable making a chain and single crochet. The repeated rows make it easy to practise even tension. Count each row because skipping the first or last stitch can make the sides taper.

May I sell dishcloths made from this pattern?

Check the terms that came with the pattern or the designer’s website before selling finished items. If the pattern has no stated terms, ask the designer for permission rather than assuming commercial use is allowed.

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A row of handmade crochet trees brings a bit of soft texture and personal color to holiday decorating, and each finished piece is a small win you can enjoy right away. For a simple variation, use cream or red yarn instead of green, or combine two shades in one tree. If you make one, share a photo on Pinterest or your favorite social media account so other makers can see how you styled it. You can also browse more free crochet patterns on the blog for small gifts and seasonal projects to work on next.