Featuring Lion Brand 50% cotton 50% bamboo yarn - Coboo.
I was recently reading an article singing the praises of bamboo used for fabric. It said that it was soft, highly absorbent, breathable, sustainable, and anti-microbiol. Being anti-microbiol really caught my attention because if there is a material that's naturally anti-microbiol I'm all in.
So, I did some further research and couldn't find anything definitive about it being anti-microbiol but I did find a lot of subjective information about it's breathability and lack of odor. So, it may or may not be anti-microbiol but where there's less funk I'd bet there's fewer germs.
I decided to find some yarn with bamboo to try it out myself and see if it was preferable to 100% cotton yarns. I found Lion Brands Coboo yarn which is 50% cotton and 50% bamboo.
The 50% bamboo gives this yarn a soft, luxurious feel. Almost too luxurious for something as mundane as washcloths, but not quite. If you put these out for your guests they're going to be asking you where you bought them and where they can get it.
This yarn is great for everyday things like washcloths to more elaborate things such as intricate scarves, shawls and sweaters. I already have many project ideas for this yarn and I hope I can get to them soon!
My daughter loves the softness of these washcloths. The first one I made was for her, so I could try out the yarn, and she loves using it.
For this pattern I used the Tulip Stitch, which is very similar in appearance to the corner to corner stitch. Both are very pretty stitches and make a nice, squeezable fabric. It is also very easy to do and once you've completed a row or two you'll be zipping through it in no time!
All instructions are listed below or you can purchase an ad free pdf version for $2 from my Ravelry Shop.
The color for the yellow washcloth is simply called "yellow" and for the mixed colored washcloth I used "steel blue" and "magenta". The yellow washcloth only has a chain edging added to one side to make it match the opposite side. For the mixed colored washcloth I put a chain edge on one side and a single crochet edging on the other 2 sides to hide the yarn that was carried up for color changes. You could fasten off and weave in ends after each color change if you'd prefer to do it that way.
Pattern
The Tulip Stitch is worked in a multiple of 4 stitches plus 5 for the foundation chain. I used 28 plus 5 for this washcloth. The only stitches you need to know already are the chain, single crochet, and double crochet. That's it!
Equipment Needed:
US G6/4 mm crochet hook (recommended for this yarn, but could use a smaller one)
Less than 1 ball Lion Brand Coboo yarn (You can make 3 or so from one ball)
Scissors
Abbreviations
CH - Chain
SC - Single crochet
DC - Double crochet
Instructions
CH any multiple of 4, plus 4 for the foundation chain. (I recommend a firm chain, not super tight, but firm)
Row 1
3 DC in 5th CH from hook, skip 3 CH, 1 SC in next CH, *CH 3, 3 DC in same CH as last SC, skip 3 CH, 1 SC in next CH*, rep from * to *, turn. (You will always end a row by "anchoring" with a single crochet)
Row 2
CH 4, 3 DC in first chain of the CH-4 just made, 1 SC in CH 3 space (from first row), *CH 3, 3 DC in same CH space as last SC, 1 SC in next CH 3 space*, rep from * to *, (again you will end the row by "anchoring" with a single crochet, this time into the CH 4 space. For this first one it will be the CH 4 space created with the foundation chain). You will have a "floppy" looking piece after the 2nd row. Fear not, it gets tightened up when you complete another row.
Row 2 is repeated until you have the length that you desire. My washcloth had 14 rows. After 2 rows I switched colors for the steel blue and magenta.
Add the chain edging to one side to make the opposite side look like the foundation chain:
Single crochet into the "top" of the chain 4, chain 3, single crochet into the "top" of the next chain 4, etc., till the end. Fasten off, unless you are going to do the single crochet edging on the other sides. (Next step)
Add single crochet edging to the two remaining sides:
This is optional regardless of whether you use more than one color or not. It is a little bit trickier, since they are sides and not stitches to directly stitch into. Don't be too intimated by this though. If you haven't done this before, then this is a great time to practice!
After finishing the chained edge, continue single crocheting down the side keeping the same number of single crochets in each "set" of 2 rows (one forward, one back). I had 5 in each set. (4 might actually be better) This keeps it even along the edge for the best look. At the end of the side slip stitch the last stitch instead of crocheting to help keep the corners rounded. Fasten off.
Do the same procedure along the opposite side trying to keep the same number of single crochets in each "set" and slip stitch the last stitch. Again this will keep it even and give the best look. Fasten off. Weave in all the ends.
And now....admire your work and marvel at how squishy, cuddly, and soft it is!
So far, the washcloth in use has held up nicely and every time I pick it up (several times a day) and admire it's softness and doubt I can ever have a 100% cotton washcloth again!
If you notice any errors, or have any questions, drop me an email. I'll be happy to fix it or help.
What will you crochet today?
Comentarios