Simple Shell Dishcloth - Free Crochet Pattern

Homemade dishcloths make great gifts, and are quick and easy to make.  A single ball of kitchen cotton yarn will make two dishcloths (depending on pattern), so make several to keep in your gift closet for last minute gift giving.

They’re also nice as face or washcloths for the bath and shower, so pair some of your crocheted cloths with a bar of handmade soap or a fancy body wash for a housewarming or hostess gift that any woman would love. This simple shell pattern would look especially nice in a bathroom with a seashell or ocean/beach themed décor.

If sharing this pattern, please share the link to this blog post. You may print a copy for your personal use, but please don’t print copies to share with others.

Simple Shell Dishcloth Pattern

Abbreviations:

Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
HDC =half-double crochet
Sk = skip
St = stitches

With kitchen cotton yarn and size H (5.0mm) crochet hook, ch 30

Row 1:  2 DC in 3rd ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, SC in next ch, sk 2 ch, 5 DC in next ch, repeat from *, ending with sk 2 ch, 3 DC in last ch.  Ch 1, turn.

Row 2:  SC in first st, *sk 2, work 5 DC in next st, sk 2, SC in next st.  Repeat from * across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3:  Work 2 DC in first st, * sk 2, work SC in next st, sk 2, 5 DC in next st.  Repeat from * across, ending with 3 DC in last stitch.

Repeat rows 2-3 until you have 15 rows, ending with row 3.  Ch 1, turn.

Row 16/finishing row:  Sk first st, *HDC in next two sts, DC in next st, HDC in next two sts, SC in next st; repeat from * across. Finish with SC border around remaining three sides. 

Simple, right?  Enjoy!

~ Marie Anne

P.S.  A copy that's printable without the ads and wonky formatting is paired with another of my favorite cloths in my Etsy Shop, The Crooked Yarn (look for listing titled Two Easy Crochet Dishcloth Patterns).

Two Super Easy Dishcloth Patterns to Crochet

I've been busy with a bazillion other things, but I finally published two super simple dishcloth patterns yesterday.  Both should be able to be completed by even a beginner, and they work up very quickly, great for last minute Christmas gifts if you've still got some people on your list!

This first one is just SC and DC across, with the next row the opposite -- DC in the SC spot, SC in the DC spot.  Ta-da!  I call it the Simple Single Double Dishcloth (< -- click for free pattern and more photos).

The second one is a simple shell dishcloth (< --- click for free pattern and more photos).  I like to keep some of my dishcloths aside to use as facecloths and washcloths for the bath and shower.  I think this shell pattern would look especially nice in a bathroom with a seashell or ocean theme.

That's it for now ... Merry Christmas!

~ Marie Anne

Baby Hat Day

With my first grandbaby on the way in November, I'm anxious to crochet some cute things for her (yes, she's a she!).  Baby blankets are a given as I have several different patterns that I like to crochet so she'll get more than one, I'm sure.  I'm hopeless at booties, and have only made one halfway decent baby sweater, so I thought I'd look to hats.

I made this little hat this morning out of Aran Fleck yarn, weaving a chain of black yarn that's then tied into a bow at the brim.  It's one of Bev's simple patterns and I could make a number of them from the leftover yarn I have in my stash, but my concern is sizing.  The finished measurements of this baby hat seems to be in line with charts I've seen, but I'd feel a lot better if I had an infant model to try them on.  I'd hate to send my son and his wife a half dozen hats in various colors and have none of them fit, ya know?

Do you have a favorite baby hat pattern that you know works out well for a newborn baby, and up to a few months old?  I'll be looking around at various pattern sites, but if you have a personal favorite, please leave a link in the comments and I'll check it out.

~ Marie Anne

MA Featured on a FASHION Blog? Ha!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a fashionista.  As a retired Marine, I supplement my retired income by freelance writing, and of course selling a few pieces of my crochet work here and there.  None of those things require getting dolled up, although I do make sure I'm wearing clean jeans and a suitable top when venturing out to Walmart and other errands.

So how did I get featured on a fashion blog?

A combination of those things ... writing and crochet.

Fellow freelance writer ShawnTe played guinea pig when I first made some little round makeup remover pads a few months ago, and she loves them as gentle exfoliants when washing her face.  She was making up a gift basket for her friend, and thought some of my crocheted items might help fill it up.  She placed a special order for some washcloths and makeup remover pads in hot pink and bright yellow, and I threw in a matching soap sack to complete the spa set.

Pink and Yellow Spa Set © CrookedYarn 

© ShawnTe 

We've already established that I'm not a fashionista, but ShawnTe is, and she writes about beauty and fashion for several online venues and also maintains her own blog, SJP's Fashion Updates.  Today that blog features a post about the gift purchase she made for her friend from my Etsy Shop, and also what she has ordered for herself and her mother.  I'll not toot my own horn further but let her tell you all about it herself in her post, SJP's Fashion Spotlight: The Crooked Yarn.

ShawnTe is not only a beautiful and talented writer, she's a wonderful lady who I'm glad to call friend.  Thanks for the feature and review,  ShawnTe!

Gingerbread Ragdolls

My friend Tammy is a real crafty lady and she shows it yet again with these adorable gingerbread ragdolls.

Tammy has blue plaid fabric on hand for the next batch, and will also have some in Christmas reds and greens stitched up just in time for your holiday decorating.  If you have a particular color in mind, she'll do her best to accommodate you with a custom order.

You can order these dolls from Tammy at a price of $14 each which includes the shipping cost for one doll.  If you order more, price with shipping will be adjusted accordingly.

She doesn't have a website or store yet, so order direct from Tammy at kamirukrafts@gmail.com.  I've already ordered a set of two gingerbread ragdolls that I want to display on a shelf or bookcase in my new office and can't wait to see them.  Of course I'll post pics when I have them displayed.

I can see these little bundles of country cuteness sitting on a shelf, bookcase or nestled against quilted pillow shams in a guest bedroom.  Isn't there someone on your Christmas list who would love to receive them?

The Hex is Done

I started the hexagon toddler blanket last week in Spongebob colors and decided that I did want to keep the narrow brown stripe to offset the brighter colors a bit.  I did several more rounds and realized I didn't have the next brown stripe in the right place and decided to frog it to do it right.  I ended up ripping out probably half of what I'd completed to that point.

That's how much yarn I ripped out!

It was a lot to rip out, but I'm glad I did.   If I hadn't, there would have been way too much of the bright colors without a break.

Since this pattern works up so quickly, it didn't take me all that long to get back up to speed and finish it off.  I did have to take a break for a critter nap, though.

Jethro on the right, Shirley curled up with him,
and little Boo decided she liked it with Spongebob

After rousing 'the kids', I finished the blanket and it's waiting to be washed before mailing.  It's a gift for my great-niece for her little one once they get Spongebob set up in his room.  I sure hope he likes it.

So what're you working on this week?

To play along on Work-in-Progress Wednesday, make your blog post for Wednesday be about something you're working on - some type of craft, renovation project, landscaping, even that novel you're writing. You can play along even if it’s not Wednesday; I leave each WIP up until the following week. Copy the code below Rosie's picture and paste it into your blog post so that others can follow too, and see the rest of the projects that are posted here.

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Make sure to click 'You are next' below to add your link here so my readers can follow it to your blog post.

Crochet Prayer Squares

My pal Melody over at Hooking Stitches is often an inspiration to me, and her Prayer Squares are no exception.

I'm making up small granny prayer squares to put with other gifts that I give to family and friends. The squares only take a moment or two to make, but I reflect in prayer for the recipient while I'm crocheting them. They're small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and to tuck into a pocket, so the person receiving one can have a tangible message of God's love at any time.

I sent out two packages to friends the other day and included these little prayer squares along with them. These friends have blessed me over the years, and it's just a small way to ask God's blessings upon them, to carry them through the day.


I'm hoping to expand this little ministry of mine, so please share any ideas you may have of people that might like to receive prayer squares. I would love to send them to deployed troops and missionaries.

~ Marie Anne

Latest Crochet Projects

I have had so many new crochet projects going lately that I'm not sure where to begin. I was tickled that I got the two afghans for veterans completely finished, so now I don't feel so bad starting something new.

A very dear online friend is going through the last stages of her husband's illness and she is understandably having a very tough time coping in his last days. I can't be there to give her physical support, but I wanted her to know that we are continually in prayer for her and her family, so I decided to make a prayer shawl so she'd have something tangible to remind her.

I couldn't find a pattern that I could make work (I don't usually do well other than square and rectangle), so I played around a bit and came up with something that halfway worked, I guess.
(all images are clickable)


It isn't a true triangle, but the top/side edges almost appear like angels wings, so I guess it's appropriate after all. A group of Christian friends on yahoogroups prayed with me while I tackled the project, and even if not the prettiest thing, it is full of love and prayers.

I've never done well working in the round, but with everyone raving about RR (round ripple) baby blankets, I've got that on my 'to do' list. As a bridge towards that, I decided to try the hexagon pattern posted by YarnJeannie on C'ville.


I started this a day or two ago, and here's what I've worked up so far in Red Heart Coffee, Turqua and White.


I can already tell that this will be a favorite crochet pattern, and have all sorts of colors running through my mind for baby blankets and other crochet projects that will adapt well to this hexagon afghan pattern.