Washcloths are practical items in your bathroom, but do they need to be boring? Crochet your own, and add some style to your bathroom decor.
What you need is something that will compliment your bathroom décor. What you need is something that fits perfectly, yet still functions as it always has. The best possible solution is to make your own. To do this, you will need a few supplies and about an hour. You are going to crochet your own washcloth!
Depending on your décor, you will be required to purchase cotton yarn suitable for the color(s) of your bathroom. If your bathroom is still in the bland-white stage, crocheting a washcloth can be the perfect jumping-off point for a great redecorating job. Do not be frightened""the washcloth is a relatively easy task for the crochet beginner and a snap for the more advanced.
The following patterns are your said jumping-off points. There is one square pattern and one circle. Both are capable of serving as a canvas for color choices and style.
The supplies needed for this project are:
- G Hook (4.25mm)
- 2 oz of cotton worsted-weight yarn (one washcloth, depending on size, may take 1-1.5 oz per cloth)
- Yarn needle with an eye large enough for your yarn
It is important to know that there is no real gauge for this project. The feel of your washcloth depends on you; if you want a tighter washcloth, use an F (3.75mm) hook, and if you prefer a looser, larger washcloth, you may prefer to use an H (5.00mm) or I (5.50mm) hook. This is a matter of preferencem, and it should not be left up to the pattern writer.
SQUARE WASHCLOTH
Skill level - beginner
Crochet terminology and stitches for this pattern:
CH - Chain stitch. This is often called your "working chain" and is the base of every crocheted item you make. The front of the chain will look like a line of V's and the back of the chain will have a ridge or spine look.
YO - Yarn over. Wrap the working yarn from behind the yarn, bringing it from the back to the front.
SC - Single crochet. This is the first stitch most beginners learn. Slide your hook underneath the top loop of your chain or previous row, yarn over, pull through the top loop, yarn over and pull through both (2) loops on hook.
FASTEN OFF - Snip yarn 6 to 8 inches (the tail) from working area and yarn over, pulling the tail through last loop on hook. Tighten the knot made slightly to prevent unraveling.
WEAVE IN ENDS - Thread the tail through the eye of the needle. Placing the needle underneath a stitch of your last or beginning row, weave the tail through the stitches. There are several methods of securing the weave: you can jump a row and weave the remaining tail, snipping the end off so it can be tucked away or you can turn your needle around and weave it in the direction you originally started, snipping the end off after an inch or two.
- CH 21 (or to desired width plus 1).
- SC in second chain from hook.
- SC in each remaining CH using only the top loop (20 stitches made).
- CH 1 and turn work around.
- SC in top 2 loops, remembering to count stitches to keep width even.
- SC in each remaining stitch and when at the end CH 1 and turn working area around.
- Repeat pattern (SC in each stitch across, CH 1, turn) until desired length is reached.
- Fasten off, and weave in ends.
ROUND WASHCLOTH
Skill level - beginner
Crochet terminology and stitches for this pattern:
CH - Chain stitch.
YO - Yarn over.
SC - Single crochet.
SL ST - Slip stitch. This stitch is often used when joining a row together. Slide hook underneath the next stitch, yarn over, and pull out from under the stitch and through all loops on hook.
- CH 3
- SC 12 times in third CH from the hook""this will form a ring of SC stitches
- SL ST to join last SC to first SC (this is called a "round" and your very first one in this pattern at that)
- CH 1
- SC twice in next stitch, using the top two loops
- SC twice in each remaining stitch till you meet the beginning of your round
- SL ST to join last SC to first SC
- CH 1
- SC once in next stitch.
- SC twice in following stitch.
- Continue in this pattern of "SC once, SC twice" until you meet the beginning of your round.
- SL ST to join last SC to first SC.
- CH 1.
- SC once in next two stitches.
- SC twice in following stitch.
- Continue in this pattern of "SC once in next two stitches, SC twice in following stitch" until you meet the beginning of your round.
- SL ST to join last SC to first SC.
- CH 1.
- SC once in next three stitches.
- SC twice in following stitch.
- Continue in this pattern of "SC once in next three stitches, SC twice in following stitch" till you meet the beginning of your round.
- SL ST to join last SC to first SC.
- CH 1.
Continue making rounds with an increase after an extra stitch is added to the count. Here is an example of your next two rounds: SC in next 4 stitches, SC twice in following stitch; SC in next 5 stitches, SC twice in following stitch. Following this guideline you can increase in rounds until your washcloth is the desired size, fastening off at your last stitch and weaving in your ends.
With the pattern(s) for the basic form of a washcloth, you can crochet as many as you like. Once you become comfortable with the pattern, you can play with the idea of changing color after every few rows. You could even go so far as attempting to outdo traditional washcloths, crocheting squares within the pattern, or learning how to work from a chart in order to crochet the image of a duck (and why not a duck?). There aren't any limitations as to where you can take this simple project.
With inspiration and determination you can build a crocheted foundation for a comfortable bathroom. Dream of luxury, fun, or any kind of bathroom you like, as long as it's something you can crochet. All you will need to get started is a washcloth.
