Get it Clean, get it Free - Dish Scrubbers Pattern...

2015 has been off to a solid start so far, filled with projects both big and small. And, while I both knit and crochet, I've had a lot more crochet commissions as of late, and that's pretty great. Perhaps the biggest commission request I get is for dish scrubbers. And yes, while you CAN go out to the store and just buy scrubbers, who doesn't love a little self sufficiency and creative expression in the common place. I meant, really. How many kitchens truly match those lovely yellow and green commercially produced scrubbers?

I've also just received word that March in National Crochet Month. And to mark the occasion, I've detailed my process so that you can make your own scrubbers in just about every palette imaginable.

To make your scrubbers you need the following materials and tools (shown to the left):

- Cutting Surface

- Straight Edged Ruler or t-square

- Scissors or Rotary Cutting Tool

- Size H/8 Crochet Hook

- 100% Cotton Yarn

- 2 yards Coarse Tulle

Begin by laying out your folded up tulle and, using a straight edged ruled and rotary cutter, cut the tulle in 1-1.5" strips. This part CAN frazzle you as the tulle tends to get caught up on itself, the scissors, your clothing, etc. This is where a good straight edged tool can really help out by holding the it flat and keeping the uncut portion away from the cut ribbons. What you end up with will be a pile of ribbon cut tulle that looks like a giant mess.

In this next step, you will want to tie together the ribbons of tulle into a ball to work from. I have found that most tulle is just too thin and soft to use as a single ribbon. So, I double mine up. Start by taking four pieces of ribbon. Layer two together, and then tie the bundle of ribbons end to end with a good knot. Trim off the excess tails for a smoother ribbon. Wind your work as you add on more tulle to prevent an irritating mess.

Once you've completed the cutting, tying and winding, you're ready to start making your scrubber!

This is visually what ought
 to happen to your work.

Starting Row: Hold netting and yarn together and create a slip knot as your beginning loop. Chain 5. Join with a slip stitch to form a circle. Chain 1.

Round One: 8-10 single crochet in the center of the ring. (How ever many that you can fit) Join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Chain 1.

Round Two: 2 Single crochet in each space of the previous row. Join with a slip stitch to complete row. Chain 1.

Round Three: 2 single crochet in the very next space. Then, [*1 Single crochet in the next space, 2 single crochet in the following space*] Repeat this pattern to end. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.

Round Four: Single crochet in each space. Join with a slip stitch. Chain three.

Round Five: You will now form the sides of the scrubber. Double crochet in each space around. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.

Round Six: Single crochet in each space. Chain 1

Now that you have formed the top and sides, it's time to form the backside by reducing the work...

Round 7: Begin to reduce this side down by using a single crochet stitch to crochet 2 together all the way around. Join with a slip stitch.

Repeat “Round 7” until you have closed off your scrubber.

Now that the scrubber has been formed, it is time to secure the stitching and flatted out that shape. Using either your crochet hook OR a tapestry needle, run your fiber through each side of the scrubber a few times to create a flattened shape. I've tried my best to illustrate this in my photo. Once the final stitching has been secured with one last knot, I like to pull any remaining tail through the scrubber and out the side, where I neatly trim off the ends. Also, At this point feel free to squish, pull, and reshape your scrubber into a nice round, flat shape, and then...

TO-DAAAAH!!!! You have now completed your scrubber!

NOW, feel free to repeat this process with as many times as you can, with as many color combinations as you like. The sky's the limit here. And don't forget that these scrubbers can be tossed in your dishwasher, or hot water cycle of your dryer, and reused over and over. And once they've just plain worn out, take comfort in tossing them knowing that the cotton yarn will biodegrade leaving only a small amount of plasticky tulle business left behind. This means that, for you die hard gardeners like me, you COULD compost the scrubbers if you so desire. (This is what I've done in the summer months) OR, if you don't feel up to making your own, just drop me a line via my online shop at: The Palette and Purl

 

I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial, and if you have any questions about this project, or suggested edits to improve or supplement it, please do not hesitate to drop me a line.