Crochet & Knitted Dishcloths

It’s the little things in the supermarket trolley that add up over time isn’t it?!

Estimating how many disposable dishcloths we paid for then threw  away into landfill in  a year …well … it was a lot since the synthetic disposable ones don’t have a long life.

I’m always looking in our supermarket trolley to try and cut down costs, find more environmentally friendly options, see if we can make something instead, it all adds to our handmade home and not being as reliant on shop bought options.

Just like you we are doing what we can when we can. Every little thing counts.

These crochet dishcloths are so much prettier  and gentler  (more tactile on the hands) to use.

~ 10 Reasons to use handmade cotton dishcloths ~

1.They are handmade!

2.A cotton dishcloth is so much prettier hanging over your tap or dish rack to dry off then a neon synthetic one. So much money spent & care taken designing a kitchen, colour coordinating cupboards, crockery, curtains, kettle, the lot really then there is that drab looking acrylic thing used to wipe benches and do the dishes with… (did you guess the synthetic ones are a pet peeve LOL!)

3.Use cotton dishcloths for general washing up and wiping benches. Gentle on glassware and vintage crockery too.

4.It’s an easy & affordable way to change your kitchen sink area to an environmentally friendly space. Some cotton dishcloths, choose environmentally friendly  dishwashing tablets & detergent, a stack of cotton tea towels.

5.When the dishcloths are past their prime they can go in the rag bucket. We have a bucket under the laundry sink that has old cotton dishcloths & tea towels past their prime in it. (To save any confusion on washing day cut those old tea towels in half, they are a  good alternative to paper towel.)

6.Using cotton dishcloths is a whole different sensory experience to something made out of synthetic materials. There is a calmness & a joy to using them.

7.They wash well and can either be line dried, go in the tumble drier or dry on the clothes rack.

8.No plastic packaging. The handmade dishcloths have no packaging. Save the label on the yarn, it will help you decided what yarn/colour to buy next time.

9.The dishcloths are quick to make. They are an easy project to pick up and put down, easy to transport in your small craft bag that fits inside your handbag or backpack &  take with you to do while in your lunch hour or waiting at appointments.

10.You can make them to the size that fits more comfortably  for you.

Have you thought about making your own dishcloths?

How I make dishcloths is very basic, there are lots of lovely patterns available, there are also lots of  Youtube tutorials and patterns also on ravelry.com

Just to be clear I am not re-inventing the wheel here, just sharing a simple pattern that I am sure our ancestors would have probably known about or used.

*If you are already a capable knitter or crocheter have you thought about making your cotton test gauge swatches to dishcloth size, then when you have finished making your swatch it is big enough to use for something practical.

~ How I make a simple yet very practical crochet dishcloth ~

Skill level: Beginners. They are a great way to practice your new craft.

Yarn: 8ply cotton. (Look for yarn that doesn’t split & is tightly spun).

I find Bendigo Woollen Mill 8ply cotton the best for this project, it doesn’t split like some 8ply cotton does,  doesn’t break the bank, the cotton is easy to order online, the final product washes and dries well, doesn’t pill and has a long life. I’ll be using this yarn until I find an organic cotton that is cost effective, that glides off the hook and doesn’t aggravate my injured hand.  For now supporting an Australian business based in rural Victoria is the next best alternative. (Not a payed advertisement.)

Hook: 4mm.

How to make:

The dish cloths are simply a crochet square using 8ply cotton.

Our dish clothes measure approx. 21cm x 21cm. Remember you can make the dishcloths as big or as small as you want.

1.The first way I make a crochet dish cloth is I make a granny square with 11 rows. And finish with a row of double crochet or a row of single crochet stitch as the border. Sew in the ends with a darning needle.

2.The second way I make a crochet dish cloth is I cast on 40 chain. My first row is double crochet stitch into the foundation chain row. The following rows are treble crochet stitch. My last row is a double crochet stitch.Sew in the ends with a darning needle.

~ How I make a very simple yet very practical knitted dishcloth ~

Skills: Beginner Level.

Yarn: 8ply 100% Cotton see above.   Needles: Size: 4mm.

Cast on 40 stitches. Using Garter Stitch – knit every stitch on every row until you have reached the size dish cloth you would like. Approx. 42 rows. Cast off, sewing in the ends.

In my next post I’ll share other ways we use the dishcloths.

Happy crafting,

Sending Light & Love, Jude x