Sunglasses-Themed Dishcloth Pattern

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This cheerful crochet dishcloth pairs a sunny, round face with bold black sunglasses and a stitched smile. The playful design makes an everyday kitchen cloth feel special, and its compact construction is a satisfying project for crocheters who enjoy simple shapes and colorful finishing details. It’s a fun make for your own kitchen, a lighthearted handmade gift, or a small project to work on between larger pieces.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

The sun is built in rounds with half double crochet stitches, while the sunglasses are made separately in single crochet and sewn on afterward. That combination gives you practice with circular increases, straightforward rows, joining pieces, and embroidery—all useful skills to carry into other crochet projects.

The finished piece has plenty of personality without relying on complicated colorwork. You can work the sun in one color, then add the black glasses and a small embroidered smile. The separate pieces also make the project easy to pause and pick up again. If you already know chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and basic sewing-in of yarn ends, you’ll recognize most of the techniques.

“I enjoyed how quickly the sunny shape came together. Adding the glasses and smile was my favorite part—it turned a simple crochet piece into a cheerful little kitchen accessory.”

Before You Begin

You’ll make a round sun in Sunshine yarn, then crochet a pair of black sunglasses and attach them to the front. The sun begins with a short chain and is worked in joined rounds. The sunglasses are formed separately from single crochet rows, edged, joined, and sewn in place. The smile is embroidered as a final detail.

The pattern uses familiar stitches, but the sun’s increases and the sunglasses’ lens shaping are described only in outline here. Follow the complete pattern’s specified increase placement and lens-row instructions if you have them; those details determine the intended shape. This outline does not provide exact finished measurements, a full lens stitch count, or a precise yarn quantity, so those should not be guessed.

Allow enough time to crochet the separate pieces, assemble them, and weave in the ends. Your pace will depend on your experience, tension, and how much time you spend arranging and securing the facial features.

Materials You’ll Need

• Lily® Sugar’n Cream® yarn
  • Main Color: Sunshine
  • Contrast A: Red
  • Contrast B: Black
• Susan Bates® Silvalume® crochet hooks
  • U.S. G/6
  • U.S. H/8
• Yarn needle

Use the larger hook, U.S. H/8, for the sun and the smaller hook, U.S. G/6, for the sunglasses. The two hook sizes help distinguish the fabric and features as intended. Lily Sugar’n Cream is a cotton yarn commonly chosen for kitchen projects because it has a sturdy feel and is practical for washable items. Check your yarn label for its exact fiber content, recommended care, and any relevant product details.

The listed palette includes Red as Contrast A, but the supplied steps do not specify where to use it. The instructions below therefore use Sunshine for the sun and Black for the sunglasses, without adding an unlisted red detail. A small pair of scissors may be useful for cutting yarn, but it is not included in the required material list.

Pattern Instructions

The steps below follow the provided construction outline. For the exact increase placement in the sun and the individual rows that shape the lenses, use the full stitch-by-stitch pattern if available. Those details are not specified here, so they should not be improvised if you want to match the intended design.

1. Begin the sun. With the larger U.S. H/8 hook and Sunshine yarn, chain 3.

2. Work the first round. Make 10 half double crochet stitches (hdc) in the third chain from the hook. Join the round as directed in the complete pattern. The chain and first stitches form the center of the sun.

3. Continue the sun in rounds. Work the following rounds in half double crochet, increasing as specified in the full pattern until the round contains 78 hdc. Keep track of the stitches as you go. The source outline does not give the number or placement of increases in each round, so refer to the complete pattern for that information rather than distributing increases at random.

4. Fasten off the sun. Once you have completed the round with 78 hdc, finish the yarn end according to the full pattern and leave a tail long enough for sewing if the pattern calls for it. Check that the sun lies flat before moving on.

5. Start the sunglasses. With the smaller U.S. G/6 hook and Black yarn, chain 9.

6. Make the lenses. Work the lens pieces in rows of single crochet (sc) as outlined in the complete pattern. Follow its row-by-row directions for the shape and dimensions of each lens. Turning instructions and specific stitch counts are not included in the source outline, so do not add rows or shaping without checking the original directions.

7. Edge the lenses. Work single crochet around the lens edges as specified. Keep the stitches even, especially around corners and curves. If the complete pattern gives a stitch count or particular corner instructions, follow them to prevent the edge from puckering or flaring.

8. Join the lenses. Bring the two lens pieces together and join them as directed in the full pattern. Check that they sit evenly side by side, with the bridge between them aligned, before securing the join.

9. Position the glasses. Place the sunglasses on the sun before sewing. Adjust their position until they look level and centered. Pinning or temporarily holding the pieces in place can make this step easier.

10. Sew the sunglasses to the sun. Use a yarn needle and a suitable yarn tail to stitch around the sunglasses securely. Take small, even stitches through the glasses and the sun fabric. Avoid pulling so tightly that the round base puckers.

11. Embroider the smile. Add the smile to the sun with embroidery, following the expression and placement in the complete pattern if available. Secure the starting and finishing ends on the back, then inspect the front to make sure the stitches lie neatly.

12. Finish the cloth. Weave in loose ends securely on the back. Lay the piece flat and check that the sun, glasses, and smile are firmly attached and that the finished dishcloth keeps its shape.

Ways to Use Your Finished Project

Use the sun as a kitchen dishcloth, or keep it on display as a bright accent in a cheerful kitchen. Its novelty face also makes it a fun addition to a handmade gift bundle—pair it with other kitchen cloths, a matching towel, or a small batch of homemade treats.

For a coordinated set, make more than one and vary the facial expression or color palette. If you plan to use the cloth regularly, make sure all facial features and yarn ends are secured well so they hold up to washing and handling.

The round shape and smiling face make it particularly suited to casual, playful décor. You can also make one as a small housewarming or birthday gift for someone who enjoys sunny colors and whimsical handmade items.

How to Care for Your Crochet Dishcloth

Follow the care directions on the yarn label. Cotton yarn is often suitable for routine washing, but care recommendations can vary by product and dye color. For the first wash, consider washing the dishcloth separately or with similar colors, especially if you are unsure whether the red or black yarn might release dye.

Use a gentle wash cycle or hand wash in lukewarm water with mild detergent, according to the label. Avoid harsh bleach unless the yarn manufacturer specifically says it is safe; bleach can weaken fibers or affect the colors. Rinse well, then press out excess water without twisting the fabric.

Reshape the sun while it is damp and lay it flat to dry. This helps the circular outline stay even and reduces stretching around the sewn-on glasses. Avoid hanging the cloth by one edge, which can pull the shape out of alignment. If the face becomes distorted after washing, gently smooth it back into shape while damp. Do not block aggressively or use high heat unless the yarn label allows it.

Tips for a Neat Finish

• Count the rounds and stitches. The sun must reach 78 hdc, but that total alone does not tell you where each increase belongs. Use the full pattern’s increase instructions and count each completed round to catch mistakes early.
• Use a stitch marker. Mark the first stitch of each round if the pattern calls for joined rounds. A marker makes it easier to keep your place and spot an accidental extra stitch.
• Check the circle as you work. Lay the sun flat after a few rounds. A shallow cup can indicate too few increases, while a wavy edge may signal too many. Compare your work with the intended pattern before adjusting anything; tension and increase placement both affect the shape.
• Join consistently. Follow the pattern’s joining method each round. A tight or uneven join can leave a visible seam or pull the edge out of shape.
• Keep lens edges even. Single crochet edging can make the sunglasses look polished, but crowding extra stitches into a curve may cause ruffling. Too few can make the edge draw inward. Follow any stitch counts supplied with the full pattern.
• Arrange before sewing. Set the sunglasses on the sun and check their position from a short distance. A small adjustment before stitching can make the finished face look noticeably more balanced.
• Secure the details. Use small, even sewing stitches to attach the glasses. Weave in the embroidery ends on the back and check that no loose loops remain.
• Avoid pulling too tightly. Tension that is too firm while sewing can gather the sun or distort the lenses. Keep the joining stitches secure but flexible.
• Use the specified hook sizes. The larger hook is for the sun; the smaller hook is for the sunglasses. Changing hooks can alter fabric density and the relative size of the pieces.

Creative Ways to Customize It

You can change the sun’s color for a different look while keeping the same construction. A warm yellow gives the familiar sunny effect, while orange or pale gold creates a subtle variation. Choose a high-contrast color for the sunglasses so the face remains clear and easy to recognize.

The listed red yarn could be used for an optional accent, such as a small decorative detail, if you want to make use of all three colors. The source instructions do not specify a red section, however, so adding one would be a personal variation rather than part of the outlined design.

You can also personalize the embroidered smile. A gently curved line gives the sun a friendly expression; a more playful expression can be created by adjusting the embroidery, provided it remains securely stitched. Keep the features firmly attached if the cloth will be used and washed often.

For a larger or smaller piece, changing the hook or yarn may affect the overall scale, thickness, and drape. A different yarn weight can change the fabric significantly, and a hook change may make it looser or denser. Make a small test swatch if you decide to substitute materials, and expect the sunglasses’ proportions to need adjustment as well. Do not alter the sun’s increases casually: changing their number or placement can make the circle cup or ripple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet dishcloth suitable for beginners?

It can suit a beginner who knows chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and basic joining and sewing. The separate pieces are straightforward to handle, but the complete pattern is needed for the exact sun increase placement and lens-row shaping. Beginners may find it helpful to mark the first stitch of each round and count carefully.

What yarn works best for the sun and sunglasses?

The specified yarn is Lily® Sugar’n Cream® in Sunshine, Red, and Black. Its sturdy cotton feel is a practical choice for a kitchen cloth. If you substitute another yarn, check its care label and remember that a different fiber or weight can change the cloth’s size, texture, and durability.

Which hook size should I use?

Use the U.S. H/8 hook for the sun and the U.S. G/6 hook for the sunglasses, as listed. Using a different hook can change the size and density of each piece. If your stitches are unusually tight or loose, check the complete pattern and make a small sample before changing sizes.

How much yarn do I need?

The supplied materials list does not give yardage or skein amounts. Check the original full pattern or the yarn requirements on its source page for a reliable estimate. The amount used can vary with your tension and any color changes you add.

How can I make the dishcloth larger or smaller?

The most reliable way is to follow a complete version of the pattern that includes the round-by-round increases, then adjust the construction carefully. Changing yarn weight or hook size can also change the finished size, but it will affect thickness and drape. Keep the sunglasses in proportion to the sun, and check the full instructions before changing stitch counts.

Why is my sun curling or ruffling?

A circular piece can cup if it has too few increases or ripple if it has too many. Tension and the placement of increases also matter. Compare your rounds with the complete pattern before making corrections; the outline here does not specify how many increases to work in each round.

How do I keep the sunglasses from looking uneven?

Lay both lenses flat and compare their shape before joining them. When edging, work the stitches evenly and follow any counts or corner directions in the full pattern. Position the joined glasses on the sun before sewing, then secure them with small stitches without pulling tightly.

Can I machine wash the finished dishcloth?

Use the care instructions on the yarn label. If machine washing is permitted, choose a gentle cycle and similar colors, especially for the first wash. Lay the piece flat to dry and reshape it while damp so the round shape and facial details remain even.

Can I sell dishcloths made from this pattern?

The instructions provided here do not state the designer’s terms for finished items. Check the original pattern source for its usage and selling guidelines before offering finished dishcloths for sale.

What should I do if my glasses or smile loosen after washing?

Let the cloth dry, then check the back for any loose yarn ends or stitches. Use a yarn needle to secure loose attachments with small, even stitches, keeping the fabric flat as you work. For future finishing, weave in ends securely and avoid pulling the face features too tightly against the sun.

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