Crochet Dish Drying Mat Pattern (Printable PDF, Washable & Beginner-Friendly)
If you’re tired of laying dish towels across the counter only to find them damp hours later, this crochet dish drying mat is a sturdier alternative. Made with double-stranded cotton yarn, it’s thick, rectangular, washable, and designed to stay flat – even under heavy casserole dishes.
This is the final piece in my cozy kitchen set – practical, absorbent, and oversized enough for real everyday use.
Prefer a clean, ad-free printable version? You can grab the downloadable PDF pattern here.
A Little Backstory
I started this drying mat during the weeks when my kitchen was torn apart from a surprise leak, and I ended up living in a hotel. With half my house in boxes and my old potholders accidentally donated in the chaos (still not sure how that happened!), I needed something to keep my hands busy besides scrolling and counting how many times the mini fridge hummed.
So, I grabbed some cotton yarn and started crocheting — no plan, no pattern, just something to keep me sane until I could have a real kitchen again. After making the dishcloth and the regular hot pad, I realized the hotel counter was tiny, and I kept imagining all the big casserole dishes I’d eventually be cooking again at home. That’s when this crochet dish drying mat idea showed up. I just kept chaining and stitching until it felt “big enough,” and honestly… it worked. Now it’s the most practical piece in my handmade kitchen set — and the one I never expected to need until that hotel stay forced me to get creative. It’s now one of the most-used items in my kitchen – and easily the most practical pieces in my crochet kitchen set.
Why Make a Crochet Drying Mat?
- Perfect for everyday kitchen use
- Washable and reusable (100% cotton)
- Protects counters from heat or moisture
- Great for large baking dishes, pots, and pans
- Beginner-friendly, simple, soothing stitch repeat
- Completes your full handmade kitchen set
- Makes a thoughtful handmade gift
This drying mat is the largest and most versatile piece in my crochet kitchen set – and surprisingly handy year-round. It’s functional, not decorative. And that’s exactly why I love it.
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What Makes This Pattern Different?
This isn’t a flimsy single-layer mat. It’s made with two strands of 100% cotton yarn held together, giving it:
- Weight
- Structure
- Absorbency
- Durability
The finished piece is oversized enough for practical kitchen use but simple enough for confident beginners.
If you can single crochet and half double crochet, you can make this.
Get the Printable Pattern
The complete, ad-free printable PDF includes:
No scrolling. No ads. Just the pattern.
- Full written pattern
- Clear stitch counts
- Row-by-row instructions
- Exact finished measurements
- Clean, easy-to-print formatting
Printable Drying Mat Pattern: $4
👉 Download the Printable Drying Mat Pattern
Building your own handmade kitchen set?
Save with the complete 4-pattern Kitchen Crochet Bundle: $9
- Beginner Cotton Dishcloth
- Thick Crochet Hot Pad
- Oversized Hot Pad
You can purchase the drying mat pattern individually – or save with the complete Kitchen Crochet Bundle.
Materials You’ll Need
These are the exact materials needed to make this crochet dish drying mat.
- 100% cotton yarn (4 weight), held double
- Crochet hooks: Size 9 (for foundation chain) and Size 7
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- Measuring Tape
Full stitch details and row by row instructions are included inside the printable pattern.
A Helpful Note About Scissors
For best results, keep your yarn scissors just for yarn. Using the same pair for fabric or kitchen tasks dulls the blade and makes cutting cotton harder.
Finished Size
This mat is rectangular and generously sized for everyday kitchen use – from casserole dishes to stacked dinner plates. Exact measurements are included in the downloadable pattern.
Need a quick refresher?
You can learn the single crochet, half double crochet, and slip stitch with clear videos and step-by-step photos at Yarnspirations Stitch Tutorials and for more information on the yarn standards and guidelines for stitches, the Craft Yarn Council is a fabulous resource.
💛 If you’re just getting started with crochet, you might enjoy my post Learn to Crochet – Easy Project and Essential Tools for Beginners. It walks through the basic stitches, beginner tools, and that first cozy project that helped me fall in love with crochet.
Complete the Whole Kitchen Pattern Set
This drying mat is part of my handmade kitchen collection — created during that unexpected hotel renovation season.
You can mix and match the full set:
- 🧽 Beginner Dishcloth Pattern → Beginner Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
- 🔥 Regular Hot Pad / Potholder → Easy Double Thick Crochet Hot Pad Pattern
- 🍲 Oversized Casserole Hot Pad → Oversized Crochet Hot Pad Pattern
- 🌿 Washable Drying Mat → this post
All four patterns work beautifully together as a matching kitchen set, perfect for gifting or adding cozy handmade touches to your own home.
If you’d rather print this pattern, the downloadable PDF is available here.
Stay Organized with My Plan My Day Checklist
If you love simple handmade projects, you might enjoy staying organized too.
I use this checklist every morning to keep my day calm and focused – whether I’m crocheting, cooking, or planning new blog posts.
👉 Grab your free copy here → Plan My Day Checklist (free)
Final Thoughts
This crochet drying mat is an easy pattern that you’ll likely find yourself making more than once. It works up quickly, looks beautiful in any kitchen and makes a thoughtful handmade gift. I’d love to see your color choices — tag me or leave a comment on the blog.
Tools I Use
- Tapestry Needle – Yarn Darning Tapestry Big Eye Weaving Crochet Blunt Needle
- My go-to cotton yarn – Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn
- My go-to crochet hook set – Clover 3672 Amour Crochet Hook Set, 10 sizes
- My favorite yarn-only scissors – Sharp scissors with Leather Cover
About the Author
Hi, I’m Mary Ann — welcome to My Tasteful Threads. I share cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns, easy family recipes, and stories from everyday life. My grandma taught me the basics, and projects like these always remind me of those early days sitting beside her, learning one stitch at a time. I’d love for you to join our cozy, creative community.
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