our recent crappy weather has encouraged some quiet, crafty evenings at home. In going through our supplies, we’ve discovered tons of leftover yarn from previous projects. instead of trying to mix and match it all into one larger thing, we’ve discovered the joys of making little things—projects we can whip up in 30 minutes or so while catching up on flight of the conchords or whatnot… these dish scrubbers are a good example: quick and easy to make, a great use of cotton yarn scraps, and they make great gifts. plus they’re a great alternative to stinky, disposable sponges. use these, toss them in the laundry, and use them again and again and again.
have fun!
derek & lauren
CLICK HERE for the full project and instructions
here’s what you’ll need:
-worsted-weight cotton yarn (available at yarn stores and craft stores for $3-$6 per skein). we used lion brand cotton in seaspray, paprika and avocado.
-size F crochet hook
-scissors
-yarn darning needle for weaving in ends
1. to make an 8″ square dish scrubber, chain 34 stitches with your crochet hook.
2. insert the hook back into the third chain from the end and do one half double crochet stitch into each chain to complete the row. for more detailed instructions on how to crochet this stitch, click here for a youtube video. we found the half double crochet to be the perfect stitch for these dish scrubbers- not as dense as the single crochet and not as loose as the double.
3. chain 2 stitches at the end of each row and continue working in half double crochet until you end up with a piece that is 8” square (about 24 rows).
4. cut your yarn, tie it off and weave in both loose ends with your yarn darning needle.
5. depending on the size of your skein of yarn, you should be able to get 2-4 dish scrubbers out of each one.
47 Comments
love these- I bought some off etsy and adore them! So simple! So great!
i love these. my grandmother has been making them for years, and recently sent me a new set after i helped her move. they make even the sink look cozy and loved!
I love these! so cute and easy to make, and a great way to use up leftover bits. Thanks!
What a great idea! I have got to make some of these…. they are LOVELY colors too :)
-thanks
my Granny makes me a set every year for Christmas! They work much, much better than sponges on tough dishes to clean… I wouldn’t be without mine.
I am so doing this over the weekend.
dishcloths are so addicting to make. these look great, i love the colors you used.
i have one that was a extra gift with purchase from an etsy seller. i absolutely love it. she somehow found actual “scruby yarn” to use so its 2 rows of cotton yarn, 2 rows of “scruby yarn” alternated. it works wonderfully well!
My grandma makes me these for xmas – they’re the best kind of washcloth!!
My sister sent me a fancy bar of soap with a little white knit wash cloth It is so cute, and I love how it looks in my bathroom with my other white towels, plus it is really soft.
What a great idea!
And this is good to practise our crochet skills :-D
March is National Crochet Month according to the Crochet Guild of America. This information comes to me via my friend Ellen who is a Crochet Queen and often gifts spa cloths with delicious soap. It’s a great project.
what a fantastic idea!
I love your blog! I have totally been a) OBSESSED with Flight of the Conchords lately, and b) I’ve been crocheting dish cloths. I love how simple this is…will have to switch to just hdc. thansk!!
These are so cute and timely…i just finished reading the book “The Friday Night Knitting Club”. Makes me want to learn how to knit!!
Not to mention environmentaly friendly!
Love this stitch – cool. I make these to sell in my Etsy shop and at craft shows, and sets are the way to go. These cloths last forever, they feel so good on your skin and they dry quick so they don’t stink. I add potholders and experiment with color combos for a great little gifts.
too cute to use for my nasty dishes!1
Picked up my as yet unused hook as soon as I got home!
Thank you, thank you! I’ve recently learned how to crochet and have been meaning to find a simple pattern for dishrags. I found you through http://www.oneprettything.com
leave i to me with the semi-non-sequiteurs…. flight of the concords films a lot in greenpoint, for those brooklynites out there. and check out eagle vs. shark on netflix if you like the show. i’ve been wanting to learn to knit. my aunt knits everywhere- even at the movies. is crocheting easier?
Great idea! …and, would you mind divulging the source for the spherical hanging lamps (looks like they’re constructed of rafia or reed) on Domino’s current Budget Decorating Guide page? They’re exactly what I’ve been searching for.
I love these. I wish I knew how to crochet. Maybe I’ll learn.
So beautiful they might just inspire me to learn crochet, but don’t know if I could use them for the dishes – they’re lovely just to look at :)
That’s so cute, what a good idea! I never could crotchet, but now seems a good time to improve :)
Washable, too xxxx x
Love these – if only my crocheting looked like this! I took a crochet class at the Point Cafe in New York last year – and I was rubbish. But I love the idea of making these yourself.
I made a rug all is half double crochet using 2 strands of contrasting chenille yarn. It looked great and was nice and cushy. I may have to make another one. And some of these too.
You two are too fabulous! Another great project. I’ve been wanting to learn to crochet, and this is something I could handle. And use (now UFO’s hanging around. Yay!)
i’ve been meaning to do this forever and now i am! thanks, guys!
With cute colors and made by hand, that is even better than the dish towels made in China.
What a great idea! I love this versus a stinky old sponge!
Thanks
i love this photo so much it’s my screensaver now
OMG…now I know why my grandmother taught me how to crochet! I can’t wait to try this.
I tried this with some of my leftovers, and they came out so great – and quick! Thanks so much for the idea – how useful!
Giving me a reason to get my hooks out again!
This made me want to learn how to crochet! I was wondering though, do you have to have a yarn made of wool? Is there any other material that’s not an animal product that I could use?
Flight of the Conchords – They’re from my country yet they seem way more popular in America…
Anyway, huge fan of this site!
This project inspired me to finally learn to crochet. I made one – and I am hooked (on hooking… get the pun??)! Thanks for the shove in a crafty direction.
Yay! I’ve been making these since I was just a wee girl…except I knit them…lots of great patterns :)
Wow, I’ve been doing this wrong all along! I have always done a single crotchet stitch my entire life. I learned just from watching my grandma when I was 4 and have been crotcheting since, 33 yrs. I’m going to try this simple technique. Thanks for sharing with us!!!!!!!
Love these! I have a circular pattern I use for my dish scrubbies, and instead of using cotton yarn scraps I prefer using super cheapo scratchy acrylic yarn. I find it works much better for scrubbies.
You can do these in a half an hour each?! It takes me a whole evening to finish one.
are you crocheting into just the back loops of the previous row? or going under both loops?
It looks like you are just doing the back loops, but the instructions don’t say anything about it, so I just wondered before I start :)
I have been making these for years! They make super great face cloths, I put them with some homemade soap & give them as gifts.
This is the first pattern that is not so complicated. Absolutely love them. Thank you.
I am already half way there.
I haven’t crocheted in maybe 30 years. I sw these and was inspired! I love simple, easy,practical, beautiful and natural. This project is all those things! I had to learn how to cast on again…but I followed a few youtube videos and off I went. I finished two the first day. My husband said “Where did you get this?” and when I told him I made it he said “Good.” lol He likes them too! Thank you for taking the time to post these nice instructions on such a perfect little project!
I love this, I am definitely making some of these tonight. So glad I found this, thank you!
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