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Free Pattern: Bubble Washcloth

Originally, when I started yarn crafting, I only knew how to crochet. As I started searching for things to make, I started seeing so many great hats, and sweater patterns that were knit. This led me on a journey to learn how to do both. After completing my first knit project (a winter hat), I realized how much I enjoyed both crocheting and knitting. They each have their positives and negatives. Knitting brings a cleanness to things. Crochet has a different look and feel. It also offers different heights in its stitches. Both can bring great texture to a design.

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Originally, when I started yarn crafting, I only knew how to crochet. As I started searching for things to make, I started seeing so many great hats, and sweater patterns that were knit. This led me on a journey to learn how to do both. After completing my first knit project (a winter hat), I realized how much I enjoyed both crocheting and knitting. They each have their positives and negatives. Knitting brings a cleanness to things. Crochet has a different look and feel. It also offers different heights in its stitches. Both can bring great texture to a design.

In honor of celebrating these two great types of art, enter… the bubble washcloth. My mash-up of knitting and crochet.

This first pattern I created; I worked on here and there. Finished it in the car on my way to Montello, WI to see my good friends and owners of Sage Hen Serendipity.

finished bubble washcloth laying on my lap.
this is the washcloth done on my road trip.

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Why a washcloth?

There are some great things to be said about doing a washcloth, especially as your first project. Firstly, they’re easy and (usually) fast to make (also, if you’re new to knitting or crocheting, it’s a great way to learn or get in some new stitches).

So I’ll be sharing a couple of different Washcloth patterns I have created using different stitches I’ve learned. There will be some links to the sites I learned the stitches as well. They will all be knit with a crochet border as my way of introducing you to my lovely world of fiber technique mash-up. :-). This week… The Bubble Washcloth is a knit design with a crochet border.

The concept

I decided I wanted a textured washcloth for my kitchen. When I first started knitting, knit borders were not my thing. So this was my first ever merge of crochet and knit. If you’re not a crocheter, you can simply skip the crochet part, and do a knit row, then a purl row at the beginning (then start the bubble washcloth pattern), and a purl row and knit row before you bind off.

I promise it’s pretty simple to do (this pattern was even included in a knit-along!). I will be creating a video on how to do the popcorn stitch and adding it to my YouTube Channel soon.

Details, notions, etc.

Finished Measurements (all are approximate)

One washcloth should measure 9.5″ X 9.5″ (after blocking with border)

Yarn

Knitting needle and Crochet Hook

Notions

Special Stitches

Popcorn – K into the front and back of the loop twice, and then slip the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stitches over the 1st.

Gauge

The gauge for this piece isn’t super important. I do tend to knit tight, so if you want, use a set of smaller or larger needles. Optionally, you could just simply knit your washcloth, and make sure it measures as long as it measures wide. (depending on how big you make the washcloth, you may or may not have extra yarn)

finished bubble washcloth folded.

Pattern:

CO 43

  • Row 1 (and Right side): K across the front
  • Row 2: K2 P across to last 2 stitches, K2 Row 3: K3 *Popcorn, K5* Popcorn, K3
  • Row 4: K2 P across to last 2 stitches, K2
  • Row 5: K across
  • Row 6: K2 P across to last 2 stitches, K2
  • Row 7: K6 *Popcorn, K5* Popcorn, K6
  • Row 8: K2 P across to last 2 stitches, K2
  • Repeat rows 1-8, until approx 9.5 inches long. Bind off (try the crochet cast-off) but do not cut yarn.

Next, get out the 4mm crochet hook

Then, ch 1, sc in the same stitch as ch, *sc across 21 times (about 1/2 of the knitting stitches), 3 sc in corner* After the last sc, fasten off and weave in ends.

*If you’re not quite sure how to crochet around the border this video can help. It explains the Super Soft Baby Washcloth but can be applied to this or any knit washcloth.

Should I block this?

Honestly, it depends on you. If you’re giving the bubble washcloth as a gift or are selling them, I would definitely recommend blocking this piece so it has nice straight edges. But if you’re not worried about it because it’s for you, you can simply start using it. Just be careful how tightly you pull as you block anything you make, the more you pull, the bigger it will be.

Now you can enjoy your new bubble washcloth. This does knit reasonably fast once you get the hang of it. So on a nice rainy day, grab some yarn and knit up a bunch for yourself, or gift baskets with some nice soap.

Don’t forget the gift tag! If you share it on Social Media, tag me on Instagram or Facebook using  #alwaysjennsmith or @alwaysjennsmith! I LOVE seeing your makes!

Always, Jenn Smith (Signature image)

Need more knitting patterns? Check out:

finished bubble washcloth

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