simka2 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I was thinking of crochet some dish cloths. How do I use these? I grew up with sponges, and am struggling with the concept. It just seems like they would get nasty fast :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Light colored sugar and cream cotton yarn, darker will bleed. Pick a fairly airy pattern, or they will be heavy when wet. They are durable, pretty because they're home-made (imho) and are excellent at scrubbing things off-within reason (except pots and pans with heavy stuck on stuff). I love them! Regardless of homeade or store-bought, I use a new one every day, used one goes in the wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 You just make a bunch and wash them often! I hang mine up near the sink when not using them to let them dry out a bit. I would get colors that you can wash with your whites and wash them in hot water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Actually, I usually think sponges get nasty fast. I prefer wash cloths because I can toss it into the laundry. When I need something abrasive I use a thin nylon scrubby thingey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Alrighty, I'm headed over to ravelry to get inspired ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Actually, I usually think sponges get nasty fast. I prefer wash cloths because I can toss it into the laundry. When I need something abrasive I use a thin nylon scrubby thingey. I use washcloths, too. I use 4 or 5 a day because I'm a germaphobe. I wash them often in hot water with towels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaJeanne Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I made some recently and love them. They clean much better than I expected. Because I have a few, I tend to use a new one every day and just wash them with towels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txbloobonnet Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I've been knitting mine and I have been making them smaller than usual....maybe 5 x 5....I love this size, the weight is perfect and they really grip what I am cleaning better than a cloth or sponge. I like a medium to dark color. I've had no problem with bleeding and they look better as they get stained. And you don't have to fold them in the drawer. They are a perfect size for stacking. I've got a picture on my blog if you want to have a look. The third one in this picture is my favorite size. http://waysidesacraments.blogspot.com/2011/01/bloggy-birthday-give-away.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britomart Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I crochet my own dishclothes, and I just get out a new one each day. If you use a new one each day, and wring it out well and hang it on the faucet in between uses, so it's never sitting there soaking, they don't get gross. Cotton can be washed and dried hot, to kill germs. Also, if you do laundry weekly instead of daily, I recommend letting the dishcloth dry completely before putting it in the dirty clothes. Don't let it sit wet (or even moist) in the hamper. Hang it on the side till it's bone-dry, then toss it in to await laundering. I like mine very much. The stitch ridges make them great for scrubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahousefullofjs Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I really like this idea. Anyone have a pattern? (It's been a few years since I've picked up a crochet hook, so a pattern is a must for me.) Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thanks everyone!!! I was suspecting that the sponges were nastier, but since it's all I knew... Here's to an a new adventure!! Does anyone use them for other cleaning jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I really like this idea. Anyone have a pattern? (It's been a few years since I've picked up a crochet hook, so a pattern is a must for me.) Thanks. This is the pattern I'm going to try. http://foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/2008/03/tulip-stitch-cloth.html Got it off ravelry :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahousefullofjs Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Ooooohhh, that is so pretty! Thanks for the link. I can't wait to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Light colored sugar and cream cotton yarn, darker will bleed. Pick a fairly airy pattern, or they will be heavy when wet. They are durable, pretty because they're home-made (imho) and are excellent at scrubbing things off-within reason (except pots and pans with heavy stuck on stuff). I love them! Regardless of homeade or store-bought, I use a new one every day, used one goes in the wash. Exactly. I hang them over the edge of the sink to dry. We change the dish towel, dish cloth, and bathroom hand towels every day. :001_smile: ETA: Here are the patterns I use: Octagon, Textured V Stitch, and Thermal Stitch. The first one is fun, the second pretty, and the third very practical. I've been wanting to try this one: Nubby Dishloth. Edited February 4, 2011 by angela in ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahousefullofjs Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Exactly. I hang them over the edge of the sink to dry. We change the dish towel, dish cloth, and bathroom hand towels every day. :001_smile: ETA: Here are the patterns I use: Octagon, Textured V Stitch, and Thermal Stitch. The first one is fun, the second pretty, and the third very practical. I've been wanting to try this one: Nubby Dishloth. I just love this type of project, so many styles to try and they work up very quickly. I made the Nubby Dishcloth lastnight. Thanks for the links and the inspiration. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I use mine for anything I would use a rag for-cleaning the floor, dusting... My son prefers them in the bath over storebought wash cloths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Exactly. I hang them over the edge of the sink to dry. We change the dish towel, dish cloth, and bathroom hand towels every day. :001_smile: ETA: Here are the patterns I use: Octagon, Textured V Stitch, and Thermal Stitch. The first one is fun, the second pretty, and the third very practical. I've been wanting to try this one: Nubby Dishloth. I did the nubby dishcloth last night. It's really simple, but didn't turn out as nubby as I wanted. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britomart Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I like doing rows of half-double crochet into the back side of the chain only (no pattern for this, I just do it), because then the front side of the chain makes a little ridge. Half-double crochet is a nice, sturdy stitch. I also like the Bark Sedge Stitch pattern (scroll down to the bottom for the actual instructions). It ends up looking kind of checkered if you use variegated yarn, which is fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest momofmany Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I agree- sponges get nasty! I wish I new how to make them, they would make great gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahousefullofjs Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I like doing rows of half-double crochet into the back side of the chain only (no pattern for this, I just do it), because then the front side of the chain makes a little ridge. Half-double crochet is a nice, sturdy stitch. I also like the Bark Sedge Stitch pattern (scroll down to the bottom for the actual instructions). It ends up looking kind of checkered if you use variegated yarn, which is fun. These are really pretty. I never thought of making them for washcloths, great idea. These are so much fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I love my crocheted dishcloths. I bleach the heck out of them and they still hold up. I knit great scrubbies. I knit the cotton yard with strips of tulle into 4" squares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Like others said, you can throw them in the wash. If they are out too long, your kitchen will take on an aroma that isn't pleasant!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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