Crocheted Dishcloths

I made this granny square dishcloth for a 4-H project. It took about two days to make and I think it will be useful to put in my hope chest.

My mom and I like crocheted dishcloths better than commercial dishcloths because they last a very long time, absorb water better, and are sometimes prettier. My mom has made lots of crocheted dishcloths for our household. She makes them for wedding gifts, and she has made quite a few sets for my hope chest. If you make them too big or too thick, it is hard to squeeze the water out. You have to hang them up to dry or they will smell bad.

Crocheted dishcloths are really very easy to make. You just need to have the skills and materials. I learned how to make a granny square from the 4-H project. My mom was the leader for the project. You need to use 100% cotton yarn because this type of yarn absorbs water into the fiber. Acrylic yarn doesn’t, so it won’t work for dishcloths. You can buy cotton yarn at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. Use either a "G" size or an "F" size crochet hook.

You also need time to crochet. It helps if you like to do it. Crochet is not my favorite thing to do. I get kind of restless because it seems to take a long time. Mom says I just need more practice. When I see all the pretty things you can make with crochet, it makes me want to stick with it.

Respectfully submitted by Miss Abigail.

A note from Kathleen:

There are a couple of ways to make a granny square. Abigail’s pretty dishcloth is made using the granny square pattern required by her 4-H crochet project. I instructed her to add a final row of single crochet in each stitch around to make a bit more of a finished edge.

You can find directions for making a granny square in many places. Just add however many rounds you wish until the size is just right. The patterns usually read something like this:

Round 1: Chain 4 to 6 and join with a slip stitch in the first chain to make a ring. Chain 3. (This chain counts as the first dc stitch.) Make 2 dc in the ring, catching in the loose thread end. (ch 2, 3 dc) in ring. Repeat (ch 2, 3 dc) twice more. Ch 2 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting ch 3.

Round 2: Chain 3. Make 2 dc in the corner space (immediately below the chain three). Ch 1. Make (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in the next corner space. Repeat (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) twice more. Make 3 dc in the next (first) corner space. Ch 2 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting ch 3.

Round 3 and more: Repeat the same pattern. (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1) in the corner space. This makes the initial corner. Put a group of (3 dc, ch 1) in each space across the side. In the corner spaces, put (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1). Begin the rounds and close the last corner as in round 2.

edit: Tipnut has several links for more crocheted dishcloth patterns. Tipnut is such a great internet resource! -km

edit: Here is a link to a later post that shows an easy scalloped edging for this pattern. -km