How to Crochet a Dish Scrubby with Front and Back Post Stitches

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Create the foundation chain

Begin with a slipknot, then chain 24 stitches plus one turning chain for a total of 25 chains. Hold the hook in your dominant hand and keep the yarn tail in the other, ensuring each new loop passes through the centre of the previous one as you chain. The 24-stitch count gives a good square scrubby size, but you can adjust up or down in even increments to make the finished piece larger or smaller. Keep your tension relaxed and consistent throughout the foundation chain — overly tight chains make the first row of post stitches difficult to work into cleanly. Count carefully before starting row 1.

Step 2 — Work row 1 with FPdc and BPdc

Turn the work so you are on the wrong side of the fabric. Insert the hook from front to back around the post of the second stitch from the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, then complete the double crochet as normal — this is your first front post double crochet (FPdc). For the next stitch, insert the hook from back to front around the post of that stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, then complete the double crochet — this is a back post double crochet (BPdc). Continue alternating FPdc and BPdc across the row. At the final stitch, work a regular double crochet to close the row neatly. The alternating post stitches create the first layer of the raised, ribbed texture.

Step 3 — Work row 2 with reversed stitches

Turn the work again so you are back on the wrong side. Row 2 reverses the pattern exactly: begin with a back post double crochet (BPdc) in the second stitch from the hook, then work a front post double crochet (FPdc) in the next stitch. Continue alternating BPdc and FPdc all the way across, finishing with a regular double crochet in the last stitch. By working the opposite post stitch into each position, the raised and recessed areas of the fabric stack consistently as rows build up — this is what creates the distinctive, even texture across the entire scrubby surface. Keep your tension firm but not tight so the post stitches sit cleanly around each post.

Step 4 — Continue working rows

Repeat rows 1 and 2 alternately until the piece reaches your desired height. For a square scrubby, keep working until the length of the fabric matches its width — measure regularly as you go to catch the square point before you overshoot it. The texture becomes more defined with each pair of rows added, and the finished fabric will be noticeably thicker and more structured than a standard double crochet piece — ideal for scrubbing without scratching. Turn with a chain 1 at the end of each row and do not count the turning chain as a stitch.

Step 5 — Add the border

Once the scrubby body is complete, chain 2 to begin the border row and turn the work. Insert the hook into the space between the first and second stitches of the previous row — these gaps between stitches are the chain spaces — and work a double crochet. Continue working one dc into each chain space all the way across the row. At each corner of the scrubby, insert the hook into the corner space between three stitches (two horizontal and one vertical) and work 3 dc — this three-dc corner keeps the corners square and prevents them from pulling inward. Along the side edges, work 2 dc per row to keep the border proportional and lying flat. Continue all the way around all four sides.

Step 6 — Finish and weave in ends

Once the border is complete and you have worked back around to the starting point, fasten off the yarn by cutting a tail of around 15cm and pulling it through the final loop to secure it. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and weave it through several stitches of the border in two directions so it cannot pull free with washing or use. Trim close to the fabric once secure. Weave in the starting tail and any other loose ends in the same way. Your dish scrubby is now complete — rinse it before first use if desired, and machine or hand wash as needed to keep it clean between uses.

Frequently asked questions

What materials do I need to make a crochet dish scrubby?
You will need cotton or acrylic yarn suitable for dish cleaning, a crochet hook (size H/5mm or I/5.5mm works well), scissors, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. A tape measure or ruler is handy for checking the size as you work.

What is the difference between row 1 and row 2 in this dish scrubby pattern?
In row 1, you start with a front post double crochet (FPdc) in the second stitch, then alternate FPdc and back post double crochet (BPdc) stitches across the row, finishing with a regular double crochet. In row 2, the pattern is reversed: you begin with a BPdc and alternate BPdc and FPdc stitches. This reversal each row is what builds the raised, textured surface.

How do I add a border to the crochet dish scrubby?
Chain 2 to start the border row, then turn your work. Insert the hook into the space between the first and second stitches of the previous row and work a double crochet. Continue working one dc in each chain space across. At each corner, work 3 dc into the corner space to turn the corner squarely. Along the sides, work 2 dc per row to keep the border lying flat and even.

Enjoyed this tutorial?

Find 60+ free tutorials on YouTube. Grab a pattern from the Etsy shop, or go deeper with a community membership.

Free tutorials on YouTube →    Shop on Etsy →    Join the community →