Saturday 6 December 2014

Washcloth Pattern

Some of you, after reading about my washcloths, were interested in having the pattern. So here it is. I hope you will enjoy making your own washcloths. Don't hesitate to ask if you're having any problems with the pattern.

Here's a picture of the washcloth again so you know what I'm talking about.

For the pattern I'm using UK terminology throughout. US readers simply replace double crochet with single crochet.
 
The yarn I used was King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK but any similar yarn would do just as well. One 100g ball was enough to make two washcloths but only just! I used a 4mm hook.
 
The neatest way to make the washcloth is what I'll give you details for first. However, if you find it too difficult to work the split stitch into the foundation chain then read on for a simpler method.

Foundation Row:  Work 43 chain.

Row 1: 
Into the 4th chain from the hook work a split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into chain and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next chain and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.

*Now, working into the same chain where the second leg of the last split stitch was made, make a split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into chain and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next chain and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.

Continue from * until the last chain is used for the second leg of the 39th split stitch (counting the beginning 3 chain you have 40 stitches in this first row).

Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2: 

Work a double crochet (dc) into the top of each split stitch and a double crochet into the top of the beginning chain-3 of the previous row (40 dc – the chain-1 doesn’t count as a stitch).

Chain 3 and turn.

Row 3:

Work first split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into first stitch and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next stitch and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.

*Now, working into the same stitch in which the second leg of the last split stitch was made, make a split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next stitch and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.

Continue from * until the last stitch is used for the second leg of the 39th split stitch (counting the beginning 3 chain you have 40 stitches in this row).

Chain 1 and turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until a total of 14 rows of split stitch have been worked.

Final Row:

Work a dc into the top of each split stitch,
work 3 dc into the top of the beginning chain-3 of the previous row,
work 2 dc into the end of each split stitch row and 1 dc into the end of each dc row of the first side,
work 2 dc into the corner,
work 1 dc into the remaining loop of each chain in the foundation row,
work 2 dc into the corner,  work 2 dc into the end of each split stitch row and 1 dc into the end of each dc row on the second side,
work 2 dc into the corner,
join with a slip stitch to the chain-1 at the start of the row and finish off.

Sew in ends and block.


For some reason my square turned out to be skewed but it was easliy pulled into shape and, after a really good blocking, it came out as a true square.

Here's a couple of close-up pictures of how split stitch looks.




If you find it too difficult to work the split stitch into the foundation chain then here’s a slightly different way to make the washcloth that is a bit simpler to do.

Foundation Row:

Work 41 chain.

Row 1:

Starting at the 2nd chain from hook, work a double crochet (dc) each chain (40 dc – don’t count initial chain-1 as a stitch)

Row 2:

Work first split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into first stitch and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next stitch and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.

*Now, working into the same stitch in which the second leg of the last split stitch was made, make a split stitch as follows:

yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook),
yarn over hook, insert hook into next stitch and draw yarn through (5 loops on hook),
yarn over hook and draw through 4 loops (leaves 2 loops),
yarn over hook and draw through remaining 2 loops.


Continue from * until the last stitch is used for the second leg of the 39th split stitch (counting the beginning 3 chain you have 40 stitches in this row).

Chain 1 and turn.

Row 3:

Work a double crochet (dc) into the top of each split stitch and a double crochet into the top of the beginning chain-3 of the previous row (40 dc – the chain-1 doesn’t count as a stitch).

Chain 3 and turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until a total of 14 rows of split stitch have been worked.

Final Row:

You will already have worked a dc into the top of each split stitch and a dc into the top of the beginning chain-3 of the previous row. Continue as follows:

work another 2 dc into the top of the beginning chain-3 of the previous row,
work 2 dc into the end of each split stitch row and 1 dc into the end of each dc row of the first side,
work 2 dc into the corner,
join with a slip stitch to the last dc of the first row and finish off.

Join yarn at the starting chain-1 of first row and work 2 dc into this corner,
work 2 dc into the end of each split stitch row and 1 dc into the end of each dc row on the second side,
work 2 dc into the corner,
join with a slip stitch to the chain-1 at the start of the row and finish off.

Sew in ends and block.


Enjoy crocheting. Don't forget to let me know if you have any problems.

17 comments:

  1. I'm not brilliant at crocheting so I've been knitting my washcloths. They make a super present when gifted with a nice bar of handmade soap.

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  2. Oh this looks like a sneaky stitch and really pretty effect. I think I might give it a whirl during Strictly. Thanks Gillian.

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  3. Hi Gillian, thank you so much for sharing your pattern, a very pretty stitch which I admire in the cotton you chose to give definition.
    Thank you again,
    Helen

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  4. It looks beautiful but sounds so complicated. I think they would be beautiful in any color.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  5. Thanks for sharing, Gillian!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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    Replies
    1. Hi Gillian! Please would you kindly email me?
      I need to ask you something: scutagal {at} yahoo co uk
      Thanks!
      Ingrid xx

      Delete
    2. Hi Ingrid - I've sent you an email. Gillian

      Delete
  6. Thanks for sharing! I'm usually better at reading charts but yours are very clear :-)
    I need a hostess gift and they will be great with some nice soap
    Amalia xo

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  7. Hi Gillian, thanks for sharing! Your pattern is very clear, I hope I'll manage to find a bit of time to make some washcloths myself...
    Wish you a lovely Sunday! xx

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  8. Fantastic! I have not heard of this stitch, but I must come back and try it some time as it sounds fascinating! xx

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  9. So fine needlework, delicious.
    Good second Sunday in Advent to you.

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  10. Hello Gillian

    Thank you, thank you so much for your instructions, they are so clear.
    I've not heard of this stitch but determined to have a go.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  11. these look great, will have to try!

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  12. aha, I have yarn to use up, this project will be good, thank you! Suzy x

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  13. Wow , great job on the pattern. Great instructions and very detailed. I will try it for sure after the holidays.thanks for sharing.

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  14. Wow that is pretty! Thank you for writing the pattern out so clearly - I look forward to trying it :)

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  15. What a fascinating stitch! I'm dying to have a go. Got to get all the Christmas crochet out of the way first, though. Thanks for sharing - so interesting and beautiful. Victoria from http://www.stringtheorycrochet.co.uk/

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