Just The Way I Like 'em Dishcloth

[Krakovianka]

This just barely could be considered a pattern--it's more of an explanation and general directions, in which I hold no claim to copyright.

 

I like my dishcloths light and stretchy. I don't like to make them with double crochet stitches, because they feel too thick and bulky to me. I want to be able to wring out my cloth well, and I don't like holes. After a good bit of experimenting, this method makes dishcloths "just the way I like 'em."

 

Any cotton (or cotton blend) yarn can used, with any hook appropriate for the yarn. I've made them with worsted weight cotton, and fairly fine cotton, simply changing the hook to suit the yarn (a slightly larger than normal hook makes the cloth even stretchier). The cloth is worked corner to corner, so you can make them whatever size you prefer (I usually try to make mine between 8 and 9 inches square).

 

The pattern is worked in all sc (alternating between back and front loops) with increases at both ends of each row until the halfway point (which is wherever you decide it should be), then one row worked evenly (no increases or decreases), then decreases at both ends of each row until you finish.

 

Begin with ch 4.

 

Sc in second ch from hook, and in next 2 ch. (3 sc)

 

ch 1 and turn.

 

2sc in *back loop* of first sc, sc in *front* loop of middle sc, 2sc in *back loop* of last sc.

 

From now on, you will work in this pattern:

 

ch 1 and turn.

 

2sc in *back loop* of first sc, then sc across row, alternating between front loop and back loop. 2sc in the last stitch, which should always be a back-loop.

 

Continue this pattern, increasing each row, until your cloth is 1/2 the size you want it to be. Ch 1, turn, and work evenly in pattern (always beginning and ending with a back loop sc) for one row, then begin decreasing in this way:

 

ch 1 and turn.

 

Decrease by inserting hook in back loop of first stitch and drawing up yarn, then inserting hook in front loop of second stitch and drawing up yarn. YO, and draw yarn through 3 loops on hook. Follow the back loop, front loop pattern of sc until you reach the last two stitches. Decrease, but this time you will insert your hook into the front loop first, and the back loop second (the first and last stitches should always be made in the back loops).

 

Continue decrease rows until you have only 3 stitches left.

 

ch 1 and turn, sc in each of those 3 stitches, fasten off and weave in ends.

 

I prefer not to put a border around this, because that interferes with the stretchiness I like. These are more functional than pretty!

[MsSuzKelly]

Very COOL! I am going to give that a try and I'll let you know what I think!!! Thanks for sharing that with us :)

[catheryn]

I am with Suzy on this....cannot wait to try it out! Thanks so much....

[diane gladys]

That sounds like a great pattern ,I'm thinking of changing the colour scheme of my kitchen and wash room witch is just off the kitchen to red and pink(strange I know) it is or was red yellow & royal blue,it's gradually being changed over when I made a trinket box and Delsi Doll(toilet tissue cover ) for the wash room,how soft is it would it work as a wash cloth also.

[MsSuzKelly]

Ok I am trying it and I am loving the feel of it. I also like a lot of stretch and I have yet to find a dishcloth pattern that was functional for me. I think this is the ticket!! Thanks so much!

 

Catheryn - give it a whirl yet?

[SHERYL]

Awesome pattern ~ thanks for sharing.

[Eneida]

for the pattern. I also like my dishclothes small and light ..I will try this pattern for my own use.

[CrochetLiving]

That is one of my favorite stitch patterns! In vintage books it's called the Apple Seed Stitch. The fabric is nice and flexible. Your dishcloths turned out real nice!

[yarncat]

Great dishcloth pattern!Thanks!!

[losingmymind2]

That's how my mom likes her dishcloths, I'll have to try some for her.

[kittyloverdeb]

Thank goodness someone perfected this! That is why I never make dishcloths because I hate them heavy and thick! I can't wait to try this one! Thank you so much for sharing!

[pineapplequeen]

:tyI agree, I don't like them thick either. Cant wait to try this.

 

Betty

[DreamsOfYarn]

I've made them similar to that, just going side to side instead of diagonal. I love them.

 

I am going to make one diagonal later on today. Thanks so much for the pattern!!

[Krakovianka]

Wow, I didn't expect so much enthusiasm for such a simple thing. Glad you all approve! I think it's neat to know that it was called the Apple Seed stitch--that's cool. Probably makes a better name than "Just the way I like 'em."

 

I tried this pattern side to side, but I liked it better corner to corner in the end. I didn't say this, but they work up pretty quickly, in spite of being all single crochet. I tried working it "in the round," too, but without turning, it doesn't come out the same.

[quietheart]

I learned how to knit to do dishcloths that were thin and stretchy, I cant wait to try this! Thank you!

 

blessings,

Kath

[CandEsMom]

Thank you for the pattern. I've been trying all kinds of granny square patterns to find a dishcloth I like, but haven't found it yet. Perhaps this will be the one - it sounds great!

[bgs]

I have also made the side to side ones and am looking forward to working on the diagonal. Thank you for the pattern.

[handcraftedinala]

I love this dishcloth pattern. I hope to try it soon!

[Cliffnote]

That sounds so interesting, I think I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Kim

[MsSuzKelly]

Finished a dishcloth today and I love it! Love that stitch.

[carovan]

I am going to have to try this too. Thanks so much for the pattern.

[DreamsOfYarn]

I made one yesterday and I love it. It works up fast. I used it last night and it was so easy to wring it out.

 

Thank you so much for the pattern. I will be making more of these.

[123mama]

I thought I lost this thread. lol It looks like the one I knitted and I love that one so I am going to make this one. Thanks a lot for the pattern

 

sondra

[tris4crochet]

made one with Peaches N Creme and my FA Chophook

 

quick pattern and like the way it feels... haven't tested it out on the dishes yet... will let DH do that for me

 

[Krakovianka]

It looks like I'm not alone in finding this dishcloth extremely functional!