Whit's Knits: Mother's Day Washcloths
Not much is humbler than a washcloth. A small square of fabric drenched, soaped and wrung, it may not be glamorous, but a washcloth is one of the day's small pleasures. And when that washcloth is handmade, it is also one of life's pleasures!
Moms are notably deserving of such things. And so with their special day around the bend, I crocheted up this pretty set of Mother's Day Washcloths. Blue Sky's 100% organic Skinny Cotton combines with Habu's very distinctive Natural Cover Cotton for a vintage look with a modern edge.
Paired with beautiful soaps, your mom will really feel your love this Mother's Day... and every day!
The Materials
For all three washcloths:
- 3 skeins of Blue Sky's Skinny Cotton, 100% organic cotton. This color is Organic Birch.
- 1 skein of Habu's Natural Cover Cotton, 100% cotton. This color is Red.
- A Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook
The Pattern
Gauge
5 1/3 single crochets = 1 inch with the Skinny Cotton
Finished Size
9 inches square
Washcloth #1
With the Main Color (MC), chain 49.
Starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, make 1 single crochet (sc) into each chain. (48 sc)
*Turn the work towards you and make 1 sc into each stitch. (48 sc)
Repeat from * until piece measures 6 1/4 inches from the beginning. Cut the yarn.
With the Contrast Color (CC), work 2 rows of single crochets. Cut the yarn.
With MC, work 2 rows of single crochets. Cut the yarn.
With CC, work 4 rows of single crochets. Cut the yarn.
With MC, work rows of single crochet until piece measures 9 inches from beginning (or until the piece is square). Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Weave in your tails and block if you'd like!
Washcloth #2
With the Contrast Color (CC), chain 49.
Starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, make 1 single crochet (sc) into each chain. (48 sc)
Turn the work towards you and make 1 sc into each stitch. (48 sc)
Repeat the last row. Cut the yarn.
With Main Color (MC), work rows of single crochet until piece measures 8 1/2 inches from beginning (or until 1/2 inch shorter than the overall width of the washcloth). Cut the yarn.
With CC, work 2 rows of single crochet. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Weave in your tails and block.
Washcloth #3
With the Main Color (MC), chain 49.
Starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, make 1 single crochet (sc) into each chain. (48 sc)
*Turn the work towards you and make 1 sc into each stitch. (48 sc)
Repeat from * until piece measures 3 1/2 inches from the beginning. Cut the yarn.
With the Contrast Color (CC), work rows of single crochets for 2 inches (or until halfway through the CC is half the overall width of the washcloth). Cut the yarn.
With MC, work rows of single crochet for 3 1/2 inches. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Weave in your tails and block!
April 12, 2012
Reader Comments (14)
I have, in the past, made a chain at the end of single crochet rows, but I have since learned that it's not totally necessary because the single crochet row is so short. I don't see that it looks any worse, and it is easier. So, for single crochet fabrics, I'm forsaking the chain these days. If you're more comfortable with the end-of-the-row chain, that's fine too!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
I'd prefer to knit. Can you tell me in your opinion what knitted stitch most resembles a single crochet? Would you do moss stitch to get this same look? Thank you!
I agree that moss stitch would be a good choice! We actually have a moss stitch washcloth on the Bee called the Wedding Washcloth. It's right here: http://www.purlbee.com/wedding-washcloths/ . And if you're really in the mood to knit some washcloths we also have a pattern for Log Cabin Washcloths here: http://www.purlbee.com/log-cabin-washcloths/
Have fun!
Whitney
Let us know how it goes! -Laura
Thanks! I just ordered it.
Michelle
Keeping the edges neat is one of the hardest things for beginner crocheters to do! First, you want to turn your work consistently in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Also, make sure that you make the first single crochet of every row into the very first stitch (the one right next to your hook). Also, in the beginning, you may need to count your stitches a lot, verifying every row that you have the right number of stitches. It's a pain, but it will really help you learn the mechanics of crocheting!
I'm so glad you're enjoying your new craft! Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
One thing I can't figure out is why chain 49 (so big) if the finished size is 9 inches, a perfect square? Am I missing something? My dish cloth is huge!
thank you :)
It should be that you're working 48 stitches and that your gauge is 5 1/3 stitches to the inch for a finished width of 9 inches (48 divided by 5.3 equals 9 inches).
It sounds like your gauge may be a bit looser, i.e. bigger. If that's the case then using a smaller crochet hook will solve the problem!
Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney