These organic cotton washcloths are a cinch to make. The two styles, one seed stitch and the other stockinette with a seed stitch border, are both easy enough for very beginners. But I don't think the washcloths will be less appreciated for their simplicity. They are beautifully soft and sturdy and will definitely stand out as having been made with love!
21 1/2 stitches = 4 inches in seed stitch
8 inches x 8 inches unblocked size
8 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches blocked size
Cast on 43 stitches.
*k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat this row every row until piece measures 8 inches.
Bind off and finish, leaving a tail about a foot long.
Your gauge in stockinette stitch may be different than your gauge in seed stitch, so I suggest doing a gauge swatch in stockinette stitch. When you know how many stitches per inch you're getting, take that number and multiply it by 8. Cast on the odd number closest to that number. For example, if your stockinette gauge is 5 3/4 stitches per inch, multiplied by 8 is 46, so cast on either 45 or 47 stitches.
Row 1: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Row 1 six more times.
Row 8: [k1, p1] 2 times, knit to last 4 stitches, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 9: [k1, p1] 2 times, k1, purl to last 5 stitches, k1, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Repeat the last 2 rows until piece measures 7 inches.
Knit Row 1 seven times.
Bind off and finish, leaving a tail about a foot long.
To make a little loop for hanging the washcloth, insert the crochet hook into the corner of the washcloth. Pull a loop of the tail through.
Chain 11.
Put the crochet hook into the same place the chain originated, and pull a stitch through.
Slip stitch and finish.
Sew the tails along the cast on and bind off edges so that they're nicely hidden.
Sometimes I don't block my finished projects, but, in this case, I think it's a pretty important step. Cotton is a bit unforgiving, so blocking will definitely help even out your stitches, and also, by blocking, you can shape really neat and even squares.
So, soak the washcloths in a sink or basin of room temperature water. You can add some mild soap to the water if you want (like Ivory dishwashing soap, baby shampoo, or I use a gentle wool wash called Soak which you don't have to rinse out).
Squeeze the excess moisture out of the washcloths (but don't wring or twist). Then roll them in a dry towel and squeeze the towel (I even kneel on the towel roll to really get the water out).
Pull the washcloths in all directions, horizontally, vertically, diagonally, shake the stitches around. Then lay each washcloth out on another dry towel and carefully shape each one into a neat square. My squares were 8 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches, but if your gauge is a little different that's okay, as long as they're all about the same as each other!
They'll dry exactly in that shape - (almost) perfect!
May 12, 2008