Retro Circle in a Square Crochet Washcloth Free Pattern

Introduction

This Retro Circle in a Square Washcloth is a love letter to 1970s color and geometry. It's written for advanced beginners who are comfortable with half double crochet and ready to try a simple color change and a shaped corner. The design pairs a sunny mustard yellow circle with an avocado green square frame and a thin burnt orange border, so it looks just as good folded by the sink as it does hanging on a hook. Worked in worsted weight cotton, it feels soft but sturdy in your hands, with a nubby half double crochet texture that scrubs gently and dries quickly. Make one for yourself and a stack for everyone who admires it.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn, approximately 50 yards each of mustard yellow (A), avocado green (B), and burnt orange (C). Sample uses Lily Sugar'n Cream.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers (optional, for the first stitch of each round).
• Finished size: Approximately 8 inches x 8 inches (20 cm x 20 cm) after blocking.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• inc – increase: work 2 hdc in the same stitch.
• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start a circle.
• sp – space.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• [ ] – work everything inside the brackets the number of times stated.

Gauge

14 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet. Crochet a small swatch in hdc, measure a 4-inch section in the middle, and adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 14.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your circle flat: if the yellow disc starts to ruffle, your stitches are too loose; if it cups upward, work a little more firmly or go up a hook size.
• Count your stitches at the end of every round. The circle must end with exactly 64 stitches so the green square fits evenly.
• When you join a new color, pull the first stitch snug so the color change looks clean, and leave a 6-inch tail for weaving in.
• Mark the first stitch of each round with a stitch marker so you never lose your place.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Circle (Color A – Mustard Yellow)

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), work 8 hdc into the ring, join with sl st to first hdc (8 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 2, inc in each st around, join (16 sts).

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [hdc, inc] x8, join (24 sts).

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [2 hdc, inc] x8, join (32 sts).

Rnd 5: Ch 2, [3 hdc, inc] x8, join (40 sts).

Rnd 6: Ch 2, [4 hdc, inc] x8, join (48 sts).

Rnd 7: Ch 2, [5 hdc, inc] x8, join (56 sts).

Rnd 8: Ch 2, [6 hdc, inc] x8, join (64 sts). Fasten off A.

Square (Color B – Avocado Green)

Rnd 1: Join B with sl st in any st of Rnd 8, ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 6 sts, [hdc, ch 2, hdc] in next st (corner), *hdc in next 7 sts, [hdc, ch 2, hdc] in next st; rep from * around, join with sl st to first hdc (68 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, working [hdc, ch 2, hdc] in each ch-2 sp, join (76 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 (84 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 2 (92 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 5: Rep Rnd 2 (100 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 6: Rep Rnd 2 (108 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 2 (116 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 8: Rep Rnd 2 (124 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off B.

Edging (Color C – Burnt Orange)

Rnd 1: Join C with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off C.

Assembly and Finishing

This washcloth is worked in one piece, so there is no seaming. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading each tail through several stitches in its own color so it disappears. Block the washcloth to an 8-inch square: mist it lightly with water, pin it out evenly at the corners and sides, and let it dry flat. Blocking opens up the stitches and makes the circle sit perfectly inside the square.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the colors for a modern look: cream circle, sage square, and charcoal edging work beautifully in any kitchen.
• Add a second sc round in color C for a wider border, working 3 sc in each corner as before.
• Make a matching set by working the same pattern in a larger hook size for a bath-sized cloth, or a smaller hook for a face cloth.