Weekly Wash #24: Hard-Working Cloths

Yes, I do have this thing about crocheting cloths. They are great little projects to work on almost anywhere and in the car plus they are nice to stash away for gifts. But, let’s face it, some cloths are too pretty for scrubbing dishes and many take some concentration to make.

These little “hard-working cloths” are designed for those times when you want to be crocheting but have a busy house or that tv show needs some extra attention.

You might also like to try my “Nancy’s Square Cloth” which is very similar to this one, but worked corner to corner.

Hard Working Cloths Pattern

The crochet pattern for this dishcloth is available for free below.

Materials

Yarn: Lily Sugar N Cream worsted weight 100% cotton yarn in choice of colors. You can get two solid colored versions of these cloths out of a regular skein of yarn.
Crochet Hook: H (5mm) or I (5.5mm)
Miscellaneous: yarn needle to weave in ends
Gauge: not necessary for this project
Measurement: 6.5″ (H hook) – 7″ (I hook) square

Notes

The striped cloth measures 6.5″ and is made using an H hook for a denser cloth. You could use any hook from F- K, and depending on your gauge, produce a variety of thickness and size.
Color changes are written for the striped version. Ignore these notations if making a solid-colored cloth.
You can start with any length chain and almost any size hook and make any size you want too…. even placemats if you need them!

Directions

1. With choice hook and red yarn (or choice of color), ch 25, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (24sts)

2. Work in BLO (back loops only) from this point on. Ch 1, turn, sc in the BLO of each st to end of row.

3. Repeat previous row.

4. Change to white yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in the BLO of each st to end of row.

5. Repeat previous row.

6. Change to red yarn, Ch 1, turn, sc in the BLO of each st to end of row.

7. Repeat previous row.

8. Repeat steps 4-7 until cloth is square.

9. Continue with red yarn. This step is worked around the outer edge of the cloth. Ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (NOT BLO) until 1 st remains. (sc, ch 1, sc) in the last st. Pivot the piece to work down the side of the square. Sc evenly across the side. (Sc, ch 1, sc) in the first st of the bottom edge, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the last st. Pivot the piece to work up the next side of the square. Sc evenly across the side. Sl st in the first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends.