The Cotton Dishcloth

Once Removed or Dressed Up!

Thanks to Marion Torgerson, Duluth, MN, for this fancy, round, cotton 
dishcloth pattern. Thanks to the friend of my mother who got this pattern 
from Marion and photo-copied it for me.

Worsted weight cotton yarn such as Sugar and Cream or Coats Crochet Cotton 
(one skein).  Needles size 7, 8, 9 or 10 (I use 7 for a tight knit that is 
still soft, yet scrubs and I have never made one for washing dishes.  They 
are too pretty!)

Cast on 15 sts.
row 1:  K across
row 2:  K3, YO, K to last st, turn
row 3:  K across
row 4:  K3, YO, K to last 2 sts, turn
row 5:  K across
row 6:  K3, YO, K to last 3 sts, turn
row 7:  K across
row 8:  Bind off 3 sts, K2, YO, K to last 4 sts, turn
row 9:  K across
row10:  K3, YO, K to last 5 sts, turn
row11:  K across
row12:  K3, YO, K to last 6 sts, turn
row13:  K across
row14:  Bind off 3 sts, K2, YO, K to last 7 sts, turn
row15:  K across
row16:  K3, YO, K to last 8 sts, turn
row17:  K across
row18:  K3, YO, K to last 9 sts, turn
row19:  K across
row20:  Bind off 3 sts, K across row.

Repeat these twenty rows 6 more times, draw up the center and sew together.
Result:  a lovely round dishcloth that has small petal-like edges.
This could be knit with Sugar and Cream sport weight yarn on size 5 needles 
for a dainty coaster.

When I made them this year for Xmas, I used red and white cotton that had 
shots of gold. I used #7 needles.  I did rows 1 & 2 with the color I wanted 
the stripe to be.  (i.e. red) then finished the twenty row section with the 
other color.  I told my recipients that the colors might bleed, but I thought 
it was worth the effect of getting a peppermint cloth with some peppermint 
soap.  Last year for baby gifts I cast on only 9 sts, used only one
color.  I think you had to shorten up the sections by a few rows, I'd have to 
sit down and do it again.  But anyway, I made smaller cloths and gave them as 
shower gifts (excuse the pun) with sample sizes of baby shampoo, soap, 
powder, lotion, etc.  The cloths fit your hand very well and fit small baby 
places.  They are also softer than regular washcloths, even if line dried.  

I also successfully knit a cool hat for a friend that has been complaining 
that I hadn't knit him anything.  I just knit a tube to the desired length:  
it was a thick wool, hand spun from farmer's market, knit on #9 circular 
needles.  I cast on 80 sts.  Plain st st for about 11 inches, I think.  I 
then turned it inside out and bound off with a third needle, this is
kind of like Kitchener stitch, but easier.  Then I braided twelve strands 
about 5 inches, twice.  so you have 2-5 inch braids.  I attached these to the 
corners of the cap as I finished my ends and I had a pseudo-jester cap that 
was way cool for even the crabbiest man, which this friend is.  It is kind of 
like the Lopi hats on the back of the Family Circle Knitting mag, but I 
didn't rib because I like the rolled brim like the fruit or vegi
caps.  I made a baby friend of mine one of these caps with the washcloth 
yarn, 70 stitches cast on #6 needles and striped with the odd ends I had from 
the cloths and then put bells on the corners.  It was darling!


Mardi Halvorsen

Scanned Image, Barb Burri 2002

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