Off The Hook: Pink Washcloth

When I decided I wanted to master crochet at long last this year, I grabbed my copy of The Bumper Book of Crochet and set out to work through it. 

I actually set out to do this about 3.5 years ago, but I didn't really know how to read the pattern I'd picked to try. And my crochet hook felt unnatural and awkward in my hand. And my tension was off. And all I could think while I wrestled with it was 'I could be getting so much knitting done right now'. So aside from a wonky rectangle, I didn't produce anything at all. 

This time I started at the beginning, skipped the first two projects (involving making jewellery by doing chain stitch) because I didn't have all the required extras, like beads, and set to making a washcloth.

And I recently finished my fourth washcloth! 

Artfully draped over my armchair.

This one is for Miss 4 and I wanted to practice changing colours so asked her to pick two. I knew the main colour she'd want would be pink before she even said; she's very much a pink child (despite all my attempts to aim for non-pink clothes for her). We ran through the other colour options for the second colour and she picked a purple shade.

Crocheting while presenting a radio show.

This is Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton, actually purchased about four years ago and I've mostly used it for knitting in the past. These two colours are Rose and Raisin. It's a DK weight, but I'd say it's thinner than other DKs. I used a 3.5mm hook as recommended on the ball band.

This washcloth was my first time going off pattern slightly. Rather than following the instructions and starting with a chain of 35 stitches, I added on an extra ten. But then I didn't adjust the subsequent rows to make it square, so this washcloth is more rectangular than the others I've done so far.

Super satisfying stitches!

The border is in the purple and there's just a tiny wonky bit. I still need to improve my starting and finishing when I join on yarn for the edging. I maybe need to watch some videos to make sure I'm doing it right. There's one bit where the end I'd woven in popped out when I was adding the edging on and I think it's maybe untidy looking now, even though I managed to secure it in place again, but otherwise, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Of course, Miss 4 is yet to use it. She's worn it on her head and pretended it was a mask. It even got used as a blanket for a cuddly toy at one point. Maybe some day she'll use it to wash her face too!