FREE CROCHET PATTERN: Easy Acrylic Dish Scrubber

Downloadable, printable, ad-free pattern is available in my Etsy store.

Make a quick, easy gift! This pattern is great for beginning crocheters!

The sample shown uses acrylic yarn, which is very durable and is not subject to a sour odor, as with cotton. Feel free, however, to make this pattern from cotton, too. Either way is great!

Please be cautious when using acrylic yarn near a stove, however, as it is not a fire retardant fiber.

The primary stitch in this pattern is half-double crochet placed between the stitches of the previous row, instead of in the tops of the stitches. This yields a more dense fabric, which is great for holding plenty of soap.

Skill Level – Easy – Basic stitches (sl st, ch, hdc, fhdc), repetitive stitch patterns (each row is the same), simple color changes (optional color change for border), simple shaping and finishing.

Materials – Worsted weight (10-ply) acrylic yarn, weight #4, 0.7 oz. (19.9 grams or 37 yds). Samples shown use Red Heart Super Saver Solids. You may use cotton yarn, but cotton dish cloths will develop a sour odor.

Tools – Crochet hook size G6 (4.0 mm), yarn needle, and scissors. In order to make a dense fabric, this hk size is smaller than what is normally recommended on many yarn labels for worsted (10-ply) yarn.

Gauge/Size – 13 sts and 13 rows per 4” x 4” square. Finished square is 6.75” x 6.75”.

Abbreviations – Chain (ch), foundation half double crochet (fhdc), half double crochet (hdc), hook (hk), loop (lp), loops (lps), slip stitch (sl st), stitch (st), stitches (sts), yarn over (yo).

Notes – Beginning ch2 does not count as a stitch. All hdc sts are made between posts of sts in previous row to make scrubber more dense.

Stitch Conversion Chart

US	UK/Aussie/NZ
chain(ch)	chain(ch)
half double crochet (hdc)	half treble (htr)
slip stitch (sl st)	slip stitch (sl st)

 US Stitch Instructions

Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc) – Begin with slip knot. Ch3. Yo and insert hk under two strands of first ch. Yo, pull through. Yo and pull through one lp. Three lps on hk. Yo, pull through pull through all three lps. (Chain and hdc both complete.) [Yo, insert hk under two strands of foundation ch st just made. Yo, pull thorough. Yo, pull through one lp. Yo, pull through three lps.] Complete bracketed segment for specified number of stitches.

Half Double Crochet (hdc) – Yo, insert hk, yo again and pull through. Yo and pull through all three lps.

Instructions

Row 1: Fhdc 20 sts.

Row 2: Ch 2 and turn piece clockwise. Do not skip first st. Hdc between posts (not in tops) of sts from previous row. (20 sts)

Rows 3 through 20: Repeat row 2. Depending on your tension, you may need to make more or fewer rows, in order to make a perfect square.

Edging

Side 1. Ch2, 3 hdc in same stitch. Turn piece clockwise. Hdc in end of every row.

Side 2. In corner, 4 hdc. Turn piece clockwise again, hdc between posts of each fhdc.

Side 3. In corner, 4 hdc. Turn piece clockwise. Hdc in end of every row.

Side 4. In corner, 4 hdc. Turn piece clockwise again. Hdc between posts of each st. Sl st to join in 2^nd ch of beginning ch-2. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Suggested enhancement: Use contrasting yarn color for edging. Fasten off and weave in ends of first color before starting edging. Attach second yarn color in same corner as last stitch. Complete sides 1-4 as above.

Use and Care Instructions

 This scrubber looks like a pot holder, but do NOT use it underneath or to pick up hot pans or dishes. Because the fiber is acrylic, it will MELT under high heat. Keep scrubber away from open flames and from hot cooking surfaces. Scrubber may be used to wipe spills on counters and cool stovetop. However, this scrubber is not absorbent, so it will be necessary to dry surfaces with another item, such as a paper towel, cotton towel, or microfiber cloth.

Permissions – Copyright 2014 Cheryl Dee Floyd.

You are welcome to give away or to sell any items you make from this pattern. You may not copy, distribute, or otherwise publish this pattern as your own.