Two Color Thermal Crochet Dishcloth (Dishcloth Series #5)

The second dishcloth this week is the two color version of the Thermal Crochet Dishcloth. This version also uses thermal single crochet to make a super squishy and absorbent dishcloth, but with a different color on each side. It's a little like the double-knitting of the crochet world! I love how the thermal crochet stitch allows the color from the back to "peek" through the front. 

To make the colors work together and not have a bunch of ends to weave in, a row of each color is worked in the same direction before turning your work. One of the colors is worked on the front of the row, like for the single color version, and the other color is worked on the back of the row. The photo tutorial below shows the process in detail. They work up pretty quickly once you get the hang of the stitch.

If you are just learning crochet, and in particular the thermal single crochet, I recommend you start with the single color version (link above) before moving on to this two color version. 

I hope you all enjoy this pattern as much as I do! I have two VERY exciting dishcloth variations coming next week as well, but I wanted to release these in order as the skills build up through the series.

As always, you can purchase the ad-free, printable pdf version of this pattern on Etsy. It is packaged together with the single color variation, so you're getting two separate patterns!

You can add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here.

If you're ready to start, grab some Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend and a size L/11 (8.00 mm) crochet hook at let's get started with the photo tutorial!

Two Color Thermal Stitch Photo Tutorial

The two color version begins the same as the single color version.

Step 1: Chain 27 in your main color. This is the color that will peek over the top and bottom on the opposite color side.

Step 2: Holding your chain with the back bump facing down, single crochet into the front loop (bottom loop) only of the second chain from your hook. You will be working into the other loop on Row 2. Continue across the row, sc in each front loop.

Step 3: At the end of this row, change to your contrasting color (the color you want on the second side of your dishcloth).

Work the first part of the last single crochet. You can tie the new color to the tail of the initial chain to keep your first stitch from coming loose.

Yarn over in the new color and draw through both loops on the hook.

Step 4: Do NOT chain 1 to turn. Sc in unused loop from the foundation chain below the first single crochet and the front loop only (flo) of first sc (tscf). Sometimes this first stitch is a little hard to find. Continue across the row in the same fashion, working into the loop below and the flo of each sc. 

In this loop the remaining loop from the foundation chain is the bottom most loop below the first single crochet.

Step 5: At the end of this row, do NOT turn your work. Draw up a large loop and then return to the beginning of the row where you dropped your main color. 

Insert your hook in the space in front of the first stitch... 

and draw up a loop with your main color.

Step 6: Chain 1. (Turn chains are needed when working in two colors because each new row of each color is a full row up, unlike working in one color.) 

With the contrasting color you worked across the front of this row, now you will work across in the back of the row. Insert your hook into the back loop of the first single crochet, and then into the remaining loop from the single crochet below. Work a single crochet in these two loops (tscb). Repeat this stitch across the row.

Step 7: At the end of the row, draw up a large loop in your main color and pick up the dropped loop of your contrasting color. Each pair of rows in each direction will be worked first in your contrasting color, then in your main color. Each time you will be alternating between working in the front of the row first, then the back and working in the back of the row first, then the front. The last row worked was in the back, so when you turn your work and pick up the new color, the first row will also be worked in the back of the row. It becomes very obvious which side you will be working into.

Chain 1 with your contrasting color and work thermal single crochet into the back of the row (tscb), just like the last row worked.

Step 8: At the end of this row, pull up a large loop and drop it off the hook. Return to the beginning of the row and pick up your main color. Chain 1 and work regular thermal single crochet into the front of the row (tscf).

After a few rows, the texture of this stitch will really start to shine.

Step 9: When you have completed 44 rows and you are on the last row of the last pair in your main color, finish your work by working thermal single crochet into the front of the row. Work through the remaining loop from the row below, but work into BOTH loops of the single crochet.

This creates a nice finished edge without extra loops. (Yes, I know the dishcloth pictured is not finished!)

Now you are ready to make your own Two Color Thermal Crochet Dishcloth!

Two Color Thermal Crochet Dishcloth

Crochet Pattern

Finished Size

Each dish cloth measures approximately 8" (20 cm) by 8” (20 cm). 

Materials

Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend (7 oz./200 g; 392 yds./ 358 m) 

Main Color (MC): #718 Mai Tai

Contrasting Color (CC) #098 Whipped Cream

Size L/11 (8.00 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

   

Gauge

Gauge is not important for this project, but if you want your dish cloth to measure 8” by 8”, try to stay at the following gauge:

22 rows/13 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern stitch.

Instructions are written using standard US abbreviations. 

Ch - chain

Sc - single crochet

Flo - front loop only

Blo - back loop only

Tscf - thermal single crochet in front of row (see photo tutorial)

Tscb - thermal single crochet in back of row (see photo tutorial)

Instructions

Note: in these instructions, RS is the main color side and WS is the contrasting color side.

With Main Color (MC) ch 27.

Row 1 (RS-MC): Sc in flo of 2nd chain from hook and each chain across. At end of row, change to contrasting color (CC). Turn. (26 sc)

Row 2 (WS-CC): Do NOT ch 1. Begin thermal sc by inserting hook from the bottom up into the unused loop from the foundation chain, below the first sc. Then insert hook into the flo of the 1st sc. Make 1 sc in both loops (one tscf completed). Work on tscf into each stitch across the row. Do NOT turn. Draw up a large loop and drop it off your hook. 

Row 3 (WS-MC): Return to beginning of Row 2. Pick up MC by inserting hook into space in front of first stitch and drawing up a loop. Ch 1. Working into the back of the row, tscb in each stitch across (see photo tutorial). At end of row, draw up a large loop and drop it off your hook. Pick up dropped loop of CC. Turn.

Row 4 (RS-CC): Ch 1. Working into the back of the row, tscb in each stitch across (see photo tutorial). At end of row, draw up a large loop and drop it off your hook. Do NOT turn.

Row 5 (RS-MC): Return to beginning of Row 4. Pick up dropped loop of MC and ch 1. Working in the front of the row, tscf in each stitch across. At end of row, draw up a large loop and drop it off your hook. Pick up dropped loop of CC. Turn.

Rows 6-41: Repeat Rows 2-5 nine times.

Rows 42-44: Repeat Rows 2-4. At end of Row 44, fasten off CC.

Row 45 (Final Row RS-MC): Ch 1. For last row, repeat Row 5, except work each single crochet into the loop below and BOTH loops of each single crochet. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

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Copyright © 2020 Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare

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The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. Please email yarnmare@gmail.com with any questions.