Crochet A Dishcloth


I think I might be having a minor OCD episode.  I can't seem to stop crocheting!  I've had this hobby since I was a young child making lopsided blankets for my dollies, scarves for my teddy, and pillows for myself.  I sure wish wearing doilies as sweaters was fashionable, because I'd be SET.  I made about 100 of them in college.


(Mom, Dad, close your eyes and skip to the next paragraph please)  When I was working on an afghan for my grandma, I used to actually skip classes to work on it!  If it wasn't for the crocheting and that hot guy in Mechanics of Materials?  I'm sure I could have gotten an A instead of a B.  But then my grandma wouldn't have that afghan.  And I wouldn't be married to that hot guy.  

I KNOW - I was such a wild college girl.  I wonder if I'd have any takers if I could figure out a way to crochet a "Girls Gone Wild Over Crocheting" sweater?  Yeah.  Probably not.

Good grief.  How old am I anyway?  102?


So, as you can see, I've been sewing my crazy fingers to the bone recently.  I'm determined to clear out my craft room.  I have so many supplies for various projects, they literally fill an entire room in my house.  It seems the OCD flares up every time I walk into a craft store too.

I found the most excellent pattern for making dishcloths, and I thought I'd share.   This makes a cloth that's about 9 1/2 inches square, it washes up beautifully, and even keeps it's shape after washing and drying.  If you're new to dishcloths, you'll need to pick up some 100% cotton yarn.  One popular brand is "Peaches -n- Cream" or something like that.  

Who knows - if the economy keeps going like this, maybe I'll be bartering my crochet work.  What do you think I'll be able to get for a hand-made teddy bear?  A sack of potatoes, maybe?

Anyhoo - here's the pattern:

Chain 34 loosely

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook and in each ch across.

Row 2:  Ch 1, turn; sc in first dc, ch 2, skip next dc, sc in sp before next dc, ch 2, ** skip next 2 dc, sc in sp before next dc, ch 2; repeat from ** across to last 2 st, sc in top of beginning ch.

Row 3:  Ch 3, turn; dc in first ch-2 sp, 2 dc in each ch-2 sp across to last ch-2 sp, dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in last sc.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until piece is approximately square.

You can leave it as is, or you can sew a border for a more finished look.  I do a simple dc border all the way around the edges, taking care to evenly space the stitches to avoid ruffling or puckering.  Sew 3 stitches in each corner to make the turn.  If the piece "cups" after making the turn, rip back to the corner and add a corner stitch.  I frequently have to do 4 stitches in the corner.

Happy sewing!

Jennifer  – (4/09/2009 01:46:00 AM)  

Oh my gosh, I'm in the same boat! I have so many drawers filled with beads, yarn, stamps and ink! What am I supposed to do with all this stuff!? *sigh*

Lisa  – (4/09/2009 05:56:00 AM)  

When I was about 8 years old, my great grandmother taught me how to crochet and I went through a stage like you. Although I've forgotten. is it like riding a bike...it all comes back? Maybe you should teach me again!!


Is this nervous energy you are using up by crocheting? :-) Do you need an etsy shop?

Becky Avella  – (4/09/2009 08:09:00 AM)  

You do need an etsy shop!

Yippee I've been waiting for this post. I can't wait to try your pattern. I just won't be showing you my crooked, lopsided version when I'm done. : )

Kathy  – (4/09/2009 08:22:00 AM)  

My mom made knit dishcloths and it's all I use. She has been gone for almost 11 years and the stack of new ones I had is almost gone (great prizes at showers and fab hostess gifts!) as she obviously had some OCD about making these as well! I have been thinking I need to take over the task for friends and family, but I don't know how to knit, but my mom did teach me to crochet! I know I can still make one of those 'bookworm bookmarks,' MAYBE I can follow your pattern! Thanks much for the inspiration!

Becky Avella  – (4/09/2009 10:06:00 AM)  

What size crochet hook should I use?

Craig and Bethany  – (4/09/2009 10:22:00 AM)  

LOVE IT!! I've been blowing off stress knitting them. I cast on 30 stitches and then just knit every row until it's square. Great post.

Anonymous –   – (4/10/2009 09:54:00 AM)  

Can you tell me what size hook to use for your dishcloth? I am kind of new to crocheting....alsowhen you say sew 3 stitches in corner, is this 3 DC in corner?
Thanks

Daiquiri  – (4/10/2009 10:07:00 AM)  

Hi Anonymous :)

I use a size "G" hook or similar metric size.

And yes, three (or 4) DC in each corner.

Best of luck!

Susan G –   – (4/10/2009 10:37:00 AM)  

PS I am not really anonymous, I just needed to check that to get a post on.....I am Susan and thanks for reply!!

Julie/mom  – (4/14/2009 11:45:00 PM)  

I just knitted my first dishcloth last week. I LOVE it! I will definitely make more.

alpinekleins  – (4/15/2009 02:55:00 AM)  

Wow! Sounds great, maybe EVEN I could learn to do this one. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pattern. I love your bloggy spot here also - so much fun to visit. Can't wait to return!

kristin K

mub  – (4/15/2009 06:01:00 AM)  

I like using double strands of #10 crochet thread instead of the peaches and cream. I LOVE my crocheted dishcloths, I just groan when I go to someone's house and all they have is a sponge or the crummy fabric ones. I must be a snob *L*

JLI (Jenn)  – (4/15/2009 08:00:00 PM)  

Oh, I am so excited about this! I have been wanting to do this for quite a while! As for the yarn...what size? Should it be worsted weight for best results?

Mom2fur  – (4/16/2009 07:10:00 AM)  

Knitting and crocheting are really coming back into fashion, you know. I love to crochet, and dishcloths are so satisfying because they are a project you can finish quickly. I've got lots of them made up with cotton yarn. Sugar and Cream is the brand I use the most. I'm going to try out your pattern. I've been working on a baby blanket forever, and it will be nice to start and finish something in one or two sittings. (I like to crochet--but I'm not fast at it!) Crocheted dishcloths, which you can throw in the washer, are sooooo much nicer than icky sponges! (And prettier, too!)

Beth  – (10/06/2009 07:59:00 PM)  

Hi there!

I am newer to crocheting but am absolutely nuts for it. I've made several scarves now AND a hat :D I love it. I've been wanting to learn how to make my own dishcloths and this instructional is superb. Thank you!

Anonymous –   – (10/16/2009 05:57:00 PM)  

I'd love to make this pattern, but I'm stuck by the instruction sc in space before next dc. Is that the large vertical opening right alongside the double crochet?

Daiquiri  – (10/16/2009 08:17:00 PM)  

Anonymous,

I believe so...give it a try and see how it looks :)

Daiquiri

Kristin  – (12/17/2009 12:09:00 PM)  

Thank you for this wonderful pattern! I have posted a couple of pictures and linked this page on my blog:
http://inkblotsandpolkadots.blogspot.com/

Anonymous –   – (2/22/2012 04:24:00 PM)  

Beautiful work! I am a newbie and was hoping you could steer me in the right direction as to what is the best yarn for crocheting dish cloths that hold up?
Thanks!

Anonymous –   – (10/02/2012 01:19:00 PM)  

I know this is late but I just stumbled upon your blog. I love to crochet dishcloths too. I noticed that your's appear much thinner than the ones I make with Peaches and Cream yarn. Would you mine sharing the name of the yarn you use. I've been searching for a while for a thinner yarn to make washcloth with. Thanks so much, love your blog.

Anonymous –   – (9/12/2017 03:11:00 PM)  

What size needle please?

Anonymous –   – (11/19/2017 10:15:00 AM)  

Look for the knitted washcloth too. They are wonderful in the shower. I'm knitting a set right now. I love them.

Peggy –   – (8/10/2018 08:27:00 AM)  

I laughed so hard reading your story. It is so me! I recently retired & thought I would get a lot of my projects finished up. However, I go into a craft store to get one little thing & come out with a bag of stuff.

Post a Comment




  © Blogger template Shush by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP