Wonders in Wool - Dishcloths! (Part of Crafting a Creative Summer)

Let’s start off by talking about yarn for a moment! For dishcloths I always use a basic cotton yarn. Basic cotton yarn has a tendency to split when working with it so some will prefer mercerized cotton instead. A mercerized cotton would also reduce any stretching or warping that may occur. But most importantly for today’s project it needs to be a cotton or cotton blend yarn, fibers like acrylic will not work well when it’s time to wash those dishes!

My personal favourite patterns for dishcloths are the Lemon Peel Stitch Dishcloth(crochet) available below, and the Snakes and Ladders Washcloth pattern from Leah Michelle Designs(knit) available as a free download here. I love the look of either, but crochet dishcloths tend to stretch less and be thicker so are my personal favourite.

Basic Lemon Peel Stitch Dishcloth
(This pattern uses US terminology)

Using a Size H/8 or 5mm Crochet hook and a medium (4) cotton yarn.

Chain 29. (Or any odd number of chains.)
Row 1: *sc into second ch from hook, dc in next. Repeat from * to end, ch 1 and turn. (28 Stitches)
Row 2: *sc into first stitch, dc in next. Repeat from * to end, ch 1 and turn. (28 Stitches)
Row 3-23: Repeat Row 2. (or until the project is square)
Finishing: Cut the yarn and pull the end through the final chain through to secure your work. Sew in the ends and get to scrubbing those dishes!

Notes: This pattern creates a dishcloth that is approximately 7.5” or 19cm square, however gauge tends to vary from crocheter to crocheter. Also because these are cotton, your dishcloth will shrink a bit when you wash it. Good news is it’s easy to make it bigger or smaller based on what you prefer simply by adding stitches and/or rows. Overall this simple stitch gives a double sided fabric with a nice texture.

[image consists of a Snakes and Ladders washcloth in progress and three Lemon Peel Stitch dishcloths]

Really, you almost don’t need a pattern to make a dishcloth. Almost any new stitch pattern you want to try or technique you want to learn can be turned into a dishcloth! They even make special “scrubby” yarns that can add more scrubbing texture to your next dishcloth.

Do you make your own dishcloths? 

Do you have a favourite pattern or yarn you use when making them?

Part of Crafting a Creative Summer