Working Up the Crochet Cotton with Washcloths

My work in progress this Wednesday is not so much an item as it is a task.  I am in progress on working up all my bits of crochet cotton.  I have several bags, and many small bits that are not enough to make a full dishcloth, so I was delighted when I came across a new pattern that was very much like the tree skirts I like to make.  It's a free crochet pattern "Shaped Washcloth" from Lion Brand yarns.

On a roll with the wash cloth /dish cloths

False Rib Wash Cloth

False Rib is pretty in variegated yarn

A quick little update today so that I don't lose my momentum, and also to keep track of this knitting stitch / dishcloth pattern as I particularly like it.  This is the false rib stitch and it couldn't be more simple.  (K1, P1) for odd rows, and K on even rows.

A New Washcloth Pattern

I have a new favourite wash cloth pattern to make - AND it's crochet - which I find easier than knitting. I know... I know... it's very exciting. You can find the pattern for free at the Lion Brand website. I found that I needed to increase my crochet hook to achieve the proper tension - I used a 5.5 mm vs. the recommended 5.0 - but in trying the 5.0 as suggested, I did note that it would work up ideally for a bath mat - having a little more stiffness.

This simple stitch works up to a very thick wash cloth, and although they are idea for dishes OR your body - I would personally use this as a wash cloth for your face. It's so thick and luxurious. In fact, it's really making me want to make tons of them and interesting soaps to match. I don't currently make soap - but you crafters know how this trend can go.

Keeping me slightly in check is one my new organizational tools. The "bag of things to sew ends in". While I can't fit an afghan or the likes in here, it does provide a little boundary for the number of small items that accumulate that "just need the ends sewing in". At the very least, these projects may end up all hanging out together. It is kind of amazing how they can accumulate. Sigh. Okay, where's the needle? ... here I go.

I'm sure this stitch must have a name, but I don't know it. The basic stitch pattern for the washcloth is this:

With 5.5 mm hook (or 5.0 depending on your tension) - chain 35.

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, *sl st in next ch, hdc in next ch; rep from * across – 34 sts at end of this row.
Rows 2-38 (or 40 depending on cotton): Ch 1, turn, sl st in first hdc, hdc in next sl st, *sl st in next hdc, hdc in next sl st; rep from * across.

Alternate the colour pattern however you like - and enjoy.

Not Ready for Intermediate

Lion Brand yarn posted some patterns for dishcloths on Facebook today and this Knit Folly Beach Washcloth took my fancy. That would be the white one pictured below, which has already come off the needles. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out. I'm not ready for intermediate.

I wasn't too far off, and I will be trying it again but the combination of a mistake I didn't feel I could live with and my needle size choice being too large, I've decided to start again. Start again, that is, after working up to it.

I need a little more practice with knitting stitch patterns before I do this one again and there are some great samples at Knitting on the Net and the Angel Hugs Stitch Sampler. I'm going to make up some cotton washcloths to give a few a go.


It's not undersatnding the pattern that I have great difficulty with, nor is it the actual stitch variations (ssk, skp) which usually seem well explained. My fundamental problem is paying attention to what I'm doing. It's been a while since I've done crafty things that didn't allow my mind to wander off completely while my hands kept busy, and it's a wee struggle.

Even with a piece of paper to cross off rows, I often forget to do so and it was only when taking this photo of my work in progress on the Triangle Squares washcloth that I realized I flipped the diamonds after the first two repeats. As Homer would say, DOH!

While it won't be a perfect example of the Triangle Squares pattern, I am going to press on. At this point I'm curious to find out if the size will be square with one ball of wool, and it isn't terribly noticable as this makes a nice chunky looking pattern.

Next stitch choice .. something more obvious to follow. Baby steps.


In other news ... Spring arrived this week. But it's not like you would notice yet.

Related articles

• Heart Washcloth (eileencaseycreations.wordpress.com)