I didn't enter the world of homemade dishcloths until last year, here in England most of us just buy them or as in my case use old towels, the thought of making a dishcloth seemed like a waste of time to me but I was intrigued because so many of you make them and love them..
so I made some to try out and since then they have been on trial, I have been using them all the time and I have come to the conclusion that I love them and have been completely converted not only are they great to use but they are great to make too.
Then I got to thinking why not towels too I know it's easy to buy a towel but by making my own I could make it the size I wanted and it would be super thick and absorbent too and in colours that matched my kitchen...
I like it a lot it's so soft and fits nicely over the handle of my cooker.
The inspiration for the stitch for the towel came while I was making one of the squares from the 200 crochet blocks book by Jan Eaton. I realised that the closed texture of this stitch was perfect for towels, dishcloths and potholders and has been probably used for this purpose by many of you but this is how I made mine.
Materials
I used
170 grams Drops Love you 5 in shades forest green - red - orange - off white but any aran weight 100% cotton would do (My favourite is lily sugar n cream)
5.00 mm hook
Pattern is in US terms for Uk terms just substitute sc with dc.
work a 49 chain,
1st Row - sc in 2nd chain from hook and and in each chain across = 48sc, 2ch turn.
2nd Row - miss 1st st, 2sc in second st, *miss next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to* to the end of the row 2 chain turn.
(you are working 2sc in the second sc of each 2sc group on each row and ending each row with a 2 chain turn)
Repeat row two until you have the length you require, then work a sc edging all around the towel.
I worked 68 rows and my towel measures 31cms wide and 42cms long.
Here it is basking in the sunshine. :)
Of course I had to make some matching dishcloths.
To make these I began with a 31 chain and used the same method as above.
I'm now going to make a red towel with contrasting stripes yes beware towel/dishcloth making is addictive. :)
© Linda Solaiman 2015
find a print friendly version here
so I made some to try out and since then they have been on trial, I have been using them all the time and I have come to the conclusion that I love them and have been completely converted not only are they great to use but they are great to make too.
Then I got to thinking why not towels too I know it's easy to buy a towel but by making my own I could make it the size I wanted and it would be super thick and absorbent too and in colours that matched my kitchen...
I like it a lot it's so soft and fits nicely over the handle of my cooker.
The inspiration for the stitch for the towel came while I was making one of the squares from the 200 crochet blocks book by Jan Eaton. I realised that the closed texture of this stitch was perfect for towels, dishcloths and potholders and has been probably used for this purpose by many of you but this is how I made mine.
Materials
I used
170 grams Drops Love you 5 in shades forest green - red - orange - off white but any aran weight 100% cotton would do (My favourite is lily sugar n cream)
5.00 mm hook
Pattern is in US terms for Uk terms just substitute sc with dc.
work a 49 chain,
1st Row - sc in 2nd chain from hook and and in each chain across = 48sc, 2ch turn.
2nd Row - miss 1st st, 2sc in second st, *miss next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to* to the end of the row 2 chain turn.
(you are working 2sc in the second sc of each 2sc group on each row and ending each row with a 2 chain turn)
Repeat row two until you have the length you require, then work a sc edging all around the towel.
I worked 68 rows and my towel measures 31cms wide and 42cms long.
Here it is basking in the sunshine. :)
Of course I had to make some matching dishcloths.
To make these I began with a 31 chain and used the same method as above.
I'm now going to make a red towel with contrasting stripes yes beware towel/dishcloth making is addictive. :)
© Linda Solaiman 2015
find a print friendly version here
It certainly is addictive! The set looks great, nice practical colours for lots of use in the kitchen :)
ReplyDeleteOh Linda, what a wonderful set! ♥ So beautiful. And what an easy stitch, great! I must definitely keep that in mind. I have to admit I'm still not using dishcloths up to now because I like the washing-up brushs more. But the cloths are so fun to make! And I like these handmade towels a lot! I started one last summer, but the knitted way. Maybe that's the reason why it's not finished and laying around somewhere.... I'm thinking about frogging and trying a new one in crochet :o). Have a nice day! Nata xxx
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I also saw this stitch and loved the closed texture, too =) So I made two little baskets with it...
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Austria!
Sandra
That's such a neat idea for towels/dishcloths! I like making them for friends who are getting married, so it's always good to have a new pattern on hand. Yours are really pretty.;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful towels and washcloths, Linda :-) I love the colors. Thanks for sharing your pattern.
ReplyDeleteThese look great Linda! I've been making my own dishcloths for the past few years too, and I love them so much better than the ones you buy in the store. It's nice to make the mundane chore a little special with a homemade item. Your towel looks great! I've been thinking of making a few towels too, but haven't got around to it yet. Did you use 100% cotton for these cloths & towels? I like your choice of colours for all of them :)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Yes I did Wendy but this particular cotton I found is not as absorbent as the lily sugar n cream so I will be using that next time. :) x
DeleteLove the towel. Dishcloths are quite addictive. So easy to make and give with some homemade muffins or cookies. Or as a washcloth with a bar of handmade soap. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week.:*
What a great idea! They all look so good and it is nice that they coordinate with your kitchen too. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, wow I love your dish towel and dishcloths you made! I would love to try and make them with your pattern. Summertime is the perfect time of year to make them. Thanks for linking up to Cooking & Crafting with J&J.
ReplyDeleteJulie xo
This is so pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Beautiful towel, Linda !!:) I like the design and colors too for all your pieces.
ReplyDeleteI love making and using my own dishcloths. For quite a while (including just this morning) I've been thinking about crocheting towels. Wondering would it be worth the effort. Your towel looks really great. There are some gorgeous aran weight cottons available so I must give it a go.
ReplyDeleteThey all look lovely. I've also heard that face cloths are much better than the bought equivalent. I'll have to give some a try.
ReplyDeleteLovely towel and dishcloths !!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day !
Anna
They are so pretty, Linda. I am so glad you introduced me to Jan Eaton's books. I have always felt that crochet dishcloths are too pretty to use, which is why I haven't made any. Maybe I should!
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful Linda.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Love your towel and cloths. I taught myself to crochet last year and can manage to crochet a granny square but when I tried to crochet a cloth I couldn't keep the edges straight. I will have another try after seeing your lovely makes. Joan at www.aviewtothefells.com
ReplyDeleteThey look beautiful, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I crocheted a dishtowel once, but it wasn't exactly what I wanted or envisioned...I didn't use cotton, but acrylic and bet that makes a HUGE difference. Pinning for later!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at my Link up last week.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to join me again today
Is this a US pattern?
ReplyDeleteSo it's a sc?
Yes it is a US pattern and is worked in single crochet.
Deletelove theses towels..was wondering wat the multiple is for this pattern..
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy a multiple of two plus one for starting chain.
Delete