A New Wave Dishcloth...

With several WIPs on the hook I found myself wanting some instant crochet gratification so I went looking through my files of easy crochet patterns.

I came across A Practically Hyperbolic Dishcloth  and decided to make one.   And I loved it!

Which meant, of course, I couldn't make just one...

I made three!

And, of course, I couldn't help but alter the pattern a bit.  Because, well, I never seem completely satisfied until I've played around with a crochet pattern and changed it somehow.  I don't know why that is, but on the third one of these I hit upon the perfect edited version (for me).  

Now might be a good time to mention I used worsted weight cotton yarn and a size H crochet hook.  Final size will vary depending on yarn, hook, and how tightly one crochets (I don't think I crochet particularly tight or loose).

First I made a green one and I followed the pattern to the letter.  It had just the right amount of ruffliness, but it was just a tad too small for my dishwashing pleasure.  The pattern says this should measure about 6.5 inches (that would definitely be too small for me).  Mine measures 7.25 inches in diameter.   Hmmm...  maybe I am a looser crocheter than I thought.    

A follow-up:  After using these dishcloths over the period of a week or so, and washing them a couple times, I've concluded that I'm equally happy with both the 7.25 inch green cloth and the 8 inch pink cloth.   While a 7.25 inch square dishcloth would feel too small, I think the ruffliness of these cloths gives the feel of more cloth in the hand.  I'm a little surprised at this, but I've decided when I make more, I'll be following the directions to the letter (only adding another row if, for some reason, my crocheting is too tight and yields a smaller cloth) 


On to my modifying the pattern a bit:

Next I made the orange one and I experimenting by added 2 more rounds (I repeated round 9 once, and then did a row where I crocheted 2 dc's in one stitch then crocheted 1 dc in the next 5 stitches - alternating that stitch pattern all the way around).  The point of that last row was to try to "tone down" the ruffles.  It did help, but it ended up making a big cloth.  The orange cloth measures 8.5 inches.  Not too big, maybe, but with the ruffles it just feels like too much cloth in my hand.  I can use it, but it's not...perfect.

The pink one, though, was juuuuust right.  See note above (just under the picture of the green cloth).   I followed the directions in the link, but after round 9, I crocheted a round of single crochets (just one stitch in every half double crochet stitch below).  Then finished it off with a  round of slip stitch in every single crochet stitch.   This cloth measures 8 inches across and the last two rows of single crochet and slip stitch in every stitch settled the ruffles down so that the waviness is pretty perfect. 

It fits my hand and around my fingers perfectly.  Making it an easy cloth to swish and scrub dishes with. 

I think this might now be my favorite crocheted dishcloth.  In fact, I'm thinking that a few of these tucked into a bridal shower gift would be a fun surprise.  Or they'd make a nice hostess gift, perhaps.  Especially done in bright, cheery colors!  Or pastels for spring!  Or Christmas holiday colors!  Or in pumpkin orange at Thanksgiving!  Okay...you get the idea.  These are kind of perfect any time.

Check out Neatly Tangled for this and other fun, simple, and colorful crochet projects.  You can download from Neatly Tangled, or visit Deborah Ellis' Ravelry Design page and see all her fun patterns there.

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