As I mentioned a few days ago in my last post which you can read here, I’ve been working hard, and as quickly as I can, to make a dent in my yarn stash before we move out of state (there is an update I need to address in regards to our move, but I will write about that in a separate post).  Because, like many, if not most other crocheters, I have a yarn hoarding problem, lol. I see all these beautiful fibers and colors in the store and I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL!!  In the end (once I return home from the store) all the pretty yarns get tucked away in a tote bin or reusable shopping bag (in this case, a large bag full of cotton yarns, at one point all of them having a distinct purpose which is now long forgotten).

While I’ve been making many dishcloths, washcloths and hot pads lately, following other designer’s patterns (which will also be talked about in a separate post later on), I decided to get creative and design my own washcloth. I realize this washcloth pattern probably already exists SOMEWHERE out there, as it’s very simple using basic beginner skills. In fact, if you can make a single crochet you will have no problem whatsoever making this washcloth.

Knowing that this stitch pattern DOES exist (sc in alternating front loops and back loops), I didn’t have a name for it. So I Googled it, of course. While many websites showed designs using this stitch pattern, I only found one website where it was given an actual name. That name being the “Alternating Front & Back Porch Pattern”. I provide a link to this stitch pattern in the Notes/Helpful Hints portion of this post below, but to save you from scrolling and looking for it you can click here. I love how this stitch pattern works up. The end result, in my opinion, makes something so simple look so pretty.

Now that this pattern is done, I will be working diligently on other designs, and hopefully before too much longer that big bag of cotton yarn will be a thing of the past (I’ll keep you updated!)

Until the next post (which will hopefully be before the New Year), keep on stitching and Happy Hooking!

Amanda

QUEUE OR FAVORITE ❤ THIS PATTERN ON RAVELRY!

Textured Washcloth Pattern

© Amanda Bryant 2017

Materials Used:

Peaches & Creme Brand cotton yarn, worsted weight 4-ply, 2.5 oz/70.9 g balls, 120 yards/109 meters, in the colors “Sunshine”, “Bright Orange”, “Bright Pink” and “Royal”

Peaches & Creme Brand cotton yarn, worsted weight 4-ply, 14 oz/400 g cone, 706 yards/645 meters, in the color “Limeade” (which is the green/white variegated yarn, shown in the photos of washcloths further down this page)

**Each washcloth uses less than 100 yards of yarn. The “Limeade” washcloth was made using left overs from previous pojects. I don’t know for certain if this color can be purchased in smaller balls, but I’m pretty sure it’s available in only the large 14 oz cone (I did a search online and couldn’t find smaller balls of it).

5 mm hook

large eyed blunt needle for sewing in the ends

Gauge: (in pattern) 4 sts and 4 rows= 1 inch

Finished Size:  Approximately 9.5″ square

Abbreviations Used (US Terminology):

ch- chain

sl st- slip stitch

sc- single crochet

RS- right side

WS- wrong side

Notes/ Helpful Hints:

* the first sc of each row is made in the same st that you made your ch-1 turn in

* the right side of the work always starts with a sc in the front loop, and the wrong side of the work always starts with a sc in the back loop

* to make it easier to remember which is the wrong side and which is the right side, try placing a safety pin through the right side of the work. Also, the yarn tail from your foundation chain will be on your left hand side (if you are right handed) while working the stitches in the right side row (and opposite if you are left handed).

*For helpful information, including a diagram of this stitch pattern, read about the”Alternating Front & Back Porch Pattern” here.

*For helpful information on working in the back bump of the starting ch (row 1 of pattern) read here

*This stitch pattern creates straight vertical rows of texture. Here is a close-up view of the stitching, comparing a variegated color yarn (top)  with a solid color yarn (bottom):

Instructions:

Ch 41

Row 1 (RS)- (in the back bumps of the starting ch) sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (40 sc)

Row 2 (WS)-  sc in back loop of first st, sc in front loop of second st, *(sc in back loop of next st, sc in front loop of next st), repeat from * across to end of row.  Ch 1, turn

Row 3 (RS) – sc in front loop of first st, sc in back loop of second st, *(sc in front loop of next st,  sc in back loop of next st), repeat from * across to end of row. Ch 1, turn

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you’ve reached approximately 9 inches, and then repeat row 2 one more time.

Next- working in both loops, sc in each st across to the end of the row (40 sc).

Now, you can either fasten off here, tie in your loose ends and call it a washcloth, or, you can make a border around the entire washcloth. To do this, simply start with a ch 1, and then work sc all around the entire washcloth, making sure you have 3 sc in one stitch at each corner (for a nicely rounded and even corner). When you get back to the beginning sc, join to it with a sl st and then fasten off and weave in all your loose ends.