Dishcloth Pattern and Framed Quaker Tapestry

A big welcome to my new followers and thank you all very much for the lovely comments on my blanket and dishcloth. Here's the pattern for making the dishcloth. It could be used for a washcloth too. I'm sure it could be used for many types of items. The fabric this stitch produces is solid but lovely and drapey. I think it would be good for a cardigan or jumper.

So, anyway, let's get on with the pattern. I used King Cole Bamboo Cotton yarn and a 50g ball made a good big dishcloth. The second one I made a little smaller than the first so I had a bit left over; just enough to do a final round on a washcloth or something like that.

Also, I used a 4 mm hook. You can use whatever yarn you like best and a hook size that is suitable for that yarn.

Make a chain with an odd number of stitches. To use most of a 50g ball of yarn and make a good-sized cloth, make the chain about 55 stitches. It will depend on your tension, of course. So you might prefer 53 or 57. It doesn't matter so long as it is an odd number.

I'm writing this using UK terminology. For US readers, where it says double crochet (dc) use a single crochet (sc) and where is says treble (tr) use a double crochet (dc).

Foundation Row:

Work a double crochet into the 3rd chain from the hook.

* Work a treble into the next chain.

Work a double crochet into the next chain. **

Repeat from * to ** until you reach the end.

Pattern Row:

Make 2 chain and turn.

* Work a double crochet into the next treble.

Work a treble into the next double crochet. **

Repeat from * to ** until you work the treble into the last double crochet.

Now work a double crochet into the top of the starting chain-2 of the previous row.

Repeat the pattern row until you have made a square. Then fasten off and sew in the ends.

It's extremely easy!

Do you remember me showing you my Quaker tapestry a while ago? Well, I am very pleased to say that it has now been framed.

Oh dear, it was impossible to get a picture without the reflection.

No reflection this time though it's a bit far away to see any detail.

Not only has the tapestry finally been finished and finally been framed, it has finally been hung on the living room wall. I'm very pleased with it!

My Quaker Tapestry

On one of our holidays to the Lake District, we visited the Quaker Tapestry Museum in Kendal. We found the exhibition extremely interesting and the detailed embroidery is so well done. Many people, all over the world, added their bit to the tapestry. When we were leaving, we visited the gift shop. As well as a string of tiny red bells for Christmas decorating, I also bought a tapestry kit. My favourite was this Sheep & Dog kit.

When I got home, I enthusiastically started my tapestry. But interest waned and crochet or knitting took crafting priority. I put the tapestry away in a drawer, nice and carefully. At times I completely forgot about it being there. Sometimes I remembered about it and felt guilty for not working on it. Occasionally guilt got the better of me and I worked a few more stitches on the tapestry, only to put it away again for another few months.

Recently I decided that I was going to finish the tapestry. I was determined. So it came out of the drawer and stayed out until it was finished. Which wasn't all that long! If I'd just kept at it it would have been finished years ago.

Well here it is. This first picture shows it still with the ring from the embroidery hoop.

Here is a closer view. Quaker tapestry is very 'free hand'. There are only a few stitches but you can work them in any direction and build up the picture. It is almost 3-D with the stitches really portraying the textures of the subject.

I'm really pleased with it and all that remains now is to get it framed. Soon.

If you are ever near Kendal this would be a great place to visit. They have a coffee shop too, though we didn't go to it. It is award winning so should be good. I can't remember now why we didn't go as it's very unusual for us to pass up a chance to get coffee and a scone or cake!

I'd love to hear what you think of my Quaker tapestry.