Suzette Stitch Dishcloth

In honor of Earth Day, I'm sharing a dishcloth pattern.   I like using 100% cotton cloths in the kitchen and bathroom.  Once they start looking a little dingy, I use them as reusable paper towels for cleaning, wiping and other chores.  The old ones are stored in a pretty basket under my sink.  When they get really grungy, they are sent to the rag box in the garage for outdoor chores.  Eco-Friendly!

I have been trying the past few years to make less of an impact on the environment through my choices in shopping and my use of disposable products at home.

This is one of my favorite patterns.  Once you try it, you will see why.  The Suzette Stitch gives a nicely textured solid dishcloth.  It's a simple combination of single crochet and double crochet, which makes it easy for beginners.

Supplies:
Cotton Yarn 75-100yards
Size H Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle

Stitches & Abbreviations:
Chain = ch
Double Crochet = dc
Single Crochet = sc
Stitch = st
Hook = hk

Pattern:

• Chain 28 
• Row 1: sc & dc in the second ch from the hk, skip one ch, (sc & dc in next, skip one ch) repeat across, sc in last ch, ch 1 turn
• Row 2:  sc & dc in the first st skip one st, (sc & dc in next, skip one st) repeat across, sc in last st, ch 1 turn
• Repeat row 2 until dishcloth is square or desired size.  Weave in ends using the yarn needle. 

Notes: To resize this dishcloth or to use the Suzette Stitch for another project, use an even number in the starting chain.

Add this to your queue or favorites on Ravelry
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 Happy Stitching!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Starfish Dishcloth

Are you ready for summer?  As I sit looking out my window at the remnants of the April snowstorm, I'm a little anxious for some warmer weather or a quick trip to the ocean.  In the meantime, I'll just make a few more of these fun dishcloths and imagine the sounds of a warm afternoon at the beach.

This beautiful Starfish Dishcloth was my first attempt at crocheting something that wasn't square, rectangular or round.  I don't know why I waited so long!  It was so much easier than I thought it would be.  There is a cupcake shaped dishcloth that is next on my list.  Stay tuned for more fun patterns.

The pattern comes from Red Heart: Starfish Dishcloths

 Happy Stitching!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Mesh Dishcloth

If you know one thing about me after reading my blog it might be that I make a lot of dishcloths!  You would be right - I certainly do!  I enjoy crafting practical things like blankets, hats, and scarves.  But my favorite thing to crochet is dishcloths.  I also like to use dishcloths to test new stitches or stitch combinations.

The finished product has a bit of stretch and drapes nicely.  It's perfect for wiping counters.

If you are looking for other fun dishcloth patterns, click here: Grandma Duck Designs Dishcloths

Close up of the stitches

Supplies:
Cotton yarn
Crochet hook size G or H
Yarn needle

Stitches:
Chain = ch
Single Crochet = sc
Chain Space = ch-sp

Pattern: Mesh Dishcloth
Chain 28
Row 1: sc in the fourth ch from the hook, (ch 2, skip one ch, sc in next) repeat across row, turn.
Row 2: ch 3, sc in the first ch-sp, ch 2 (sc in next ch-sp, ch 2) repeat across row, sc in last ch-sp, turn.
Repeat row 2 until the desired size.

To increase or decrease the finished size, chain any even number.

Place it in your Ravelry Queue
Pin it on Pinterest

 Happy Stitching!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

  

Spring Gingham Dishcloth

Sometimes I see a pattern and just have to drop my current project and make it.  Or sometimes I need a break from a large project.  This week it was both!  I saw this adorable dishcloth and just had to try one.  Plus, I needed a break from the big project I'm working on.  I needed that feeling of accomplishing something.  This pattern is well written and includes both written and video instruction.


I love how this dishcloth turned out!  The only thing I didn't like was weaving in 26 (YES 26!) ends.  Next time, I will use two skeins of white and carry those up the sides to eliminate some of the ends. I think it took me longer to weave in the ends than construct the dishcloth.

Isn't it PRETTY??!?!  I will definitely be making more of these.  Now I need to find more pairs of light and dark cotton yarn in the same color.

Pattern: Spring Gingham Dishcloth by Left in Knots

 Happy Stitching!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Northern Lights Winter Hat

Last fall I designed and made the Northern Lights Winter Scarf.  It was perfect for the cold Minnesota winter. (And this winter was particularly cold and snowy!)  I wanted to create a hat to match the scarf's texture but was unsure how to accomplish that.  Could the Lemon Peel stitch be done in the round?  Would it work in the increasing rows?  I set out to try!  With a few minor adjustments, yes, you can do the Lemon Peel stitch in the round!

I'll share a little secret with you -- I was so excited about how the hat turned out that I wore it for several hours after I finished it.   Don't laugh, but I was in the house, watching a movie and wearing my spiffy new hat.  Call me a nerd!

Supplies:
Size 5 Yarn, approximately 100 yards (I used Premier Serenity in Majesty- 1 skein)
Crochet Hook size N (10 mm)
Yarn Needle
Stitch Marker

Stitches:
ch = ch
dc = Double crochet
sc = Single Crochet
sl st = sl st

Pattern notes: Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch in each round. This is a variation of the Lemon Peel stitch, done in the round.  Throughout the pattern, alternate sc and dc stitches.

Row 1: ch 2, make the following 8 stitches in the second ch from the hook: dc, sc, dc, sc, dc, sc, dc, sc, join with a sl st.  (8 stitches)

Row 2: ch 2, dc and sc in the same stitch, dc and sc in the next and in each stitch around, join with a sl st.  (16 stitches)

Row 3: ch 1, sc and dc in the same stitch, sc in next, dc and sc in next, dc in next (sc and dc in next stitch, sc in next, dc and sc in next, dc in next) repeat 2 more times join with sl st (24 stitches)

Row 4: ch 2, dc and sc in the same stitch, dc in next, sc in next (dc and sc in next, dc in next, sc in next) repeat 6 more times join with a sl st (32 stitches)

Row 5: ch 1, sc and dc in the same stitch, sc in next, dc in next, sc in next, dc and sc in next, dc in next, sc in next,  dc in next, (sc and dc in next, sc in next, dc in next sc in next, dc and sc in next, dc in next, sc in next,  dc in next ) repeat 2 times (40 stitches)

Row 6: ch 2, dc and sc in the same stitch, dc in next, sc in next, dc in next, sc in next (dc and sc in next, dc in next, sc in next, dc in next, sc in next) repeat 6 more times, join with a sl st (48 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, dc in next, (sc in next, dc in next) repeat alternating sc, dc around join with sl st (48 stitches)

Row 8: Ch 2, dc in the same stitch, sc in next, (dc in next, sc in next) repeat alternating dc, sc around, join with sl st (48 stitches)

Rows 9-17 repeat rows 7 then 8.

Row 18: sc in blo around, join with sl st.  Fasten and weave in ends.

Place this pattern in your Ravelry Queue
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 Happy Stitching!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Goal Progress: March

March was an amazing month for Grandma Duck Designs!  My Dreaming of Spring Dishcloth pattern that I entered into the Hookin On Humpday - A Yarn Linky Party sponsored by Moogly and  Petals to Picots was the most clicked on pattern during the two weeks.  Then it was featured on their blogs and on their Facebook pages.  It generated a ton of traffic to my blog! 

My productivity was down in March but I'm back full force and feeling ultra-creative!

My craft related 2019 goals include the following:

• Crochet, knit, or sew fifty items.  
• March: 3 washcloths and one blanket.  Watch for a post soon about the blanket, you'll love it!
• Total projects year to date: 32
• Blog twenty-five times.
• This is my 25th blog post!
• I've set a new goal of fifty posts for the year.  Hang on to your hats!
• Design 12 crochet patterns.
• Total year to date: 6
• New March Designs:
• Northern Lights Winter Scarf  This one was my first non-dishcloth design.  I have a few others in the works. 



Designed for C2C

• Criss-Cross-Scrub Dishcloth
• Design twenty-five graphghans or graphghan block patterns.
• Total Year-To-Date: 47
•  I've set a new goal here too, 100 designs!  Can I do it?
• Blog update: 
• 2,949 total page views, 1,802 of them in March.  
• I have some fun blogs posts planned, including some non-dishcloth post.  
• Other items:
• I started an Instagram account.  I have no clue what to do with it though.  
• Grandma Duck is working on some collaboration with other designers.  More to come on this soon.

 Happy Crafting!
💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Beginner Mandala Dishcloth

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm crazy about dishcloths and washcloths.  There's a couple of reasons.  (1) Dishcloths are small and quick to finish.  This makes them perfect for crocheting on the go!  I often take a break from a big project and make a dishcloth or two, especially if I feel like I'm not making progress on the big project  (2) Dishcloths are practical.  I'll admit it.  I like to crochet practical things.  (3) Dishcloths & washcloths make fun little gifts.  (4) When I want to test out a new stitch, I almost always use a dishcloth.

This fun pattern comes from the Crochet Crowd.  It was my first attempt at using the invisible join technique when stitching in the round.  If you look close, you cannot see where I moved to the next round!  No seam line! Have you tried an invisible join?  If not, I highly recommend trying it and this dishcloth too!

 The pattern and video linked below are from Crochet Crowd. The invisible join technique video also has some great tips for working in the round.  The video shows the invisible join technique. 

Beginner Mandala Pattern by Crochet Crowd

Invisible Join technique

 Happy Crafting!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Northern Lights Winter Scarf

Do you ever see the Northern Lights where you live?  Here in Minnesota, I see them every few years.  The colors in this scarf remind me of the waves of purple that I saw one evening driving home from a friends house.

This yarn was one of my impulse buys.  I only picked up two skeins, so it took me several attempts to get the pattern right for the yarn.  This yarn is so beautiful and soft so I just knew I needed to make a warm winter scarf.   It's made with the Lemon Peel stitch, one of my favorites.  I love the simplicity and texture of it and how it showcases the yarn.

One of my other favorite scarf patterns is the Minnehaha Mesh scarf.  It's a lighter weight scarf perfect for fall or spring. 

If you are looking for a coordinated hat, the Northern Lights Winter Hat is done with the Lemon Peel stitch in the round!  It coordinates beautifully!

Supplies: 
Crochet Hook Size N
Size 5 Bulky Acrylic Yarn, approximately 210 yards
Yarn Needle
Scissors

This scarf was made with two skeins of Serenity yarn, Majesty by Premier Yarns.  It is soft and cozy and perfect for cold winter days!

  

Crochet Stitches: 

Chain (ch)

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Finished size is 57 x 6 inches

Pattern:

Ch-15

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, dc in next.  (Sc in next, dc in next repeat until end) Chain 1 and then turn. (14 Stitches)

Row 2: sc in first st, dc in second.  (sc in next, dc in next to end.)  Chain 1, turn.  (14 stitches)

Repeat row 2 until scarf is desired length.  Fasten off and then weave in the ends.

If you want your scarf wider or narrower, you can use any multiple of 2+1 for your starting chain.  You will have to adjust the amount of yarn required accordingly.

Pin it on Pinterest

Place it in your Ravelry Queue

 Happy Crafting!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Criss-Cross-Scrub Dishcloth

This easy dishcloth has a single crochet center followed by a round of single crochet, criss-cross double crochet and then a few more rounds of single crochet. How are you celebrating National Crochet Month?

One of the hardest crocheting items for me to figure out has been the placement of borders on the sides of my crocheting. As part of celebrating National Crochet Month, I decided to challenge myself by designing a dishcloth with a focus on a fun border.

Stitches and Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet

Supplies:
Size I Crochet Hook
Cotton Dishcloth Yarn- Approximately 70 yards
Scissors
Yarn Needle

Special Stitches:
Criss-Cross DC - skip one ST, DC in next, go back and DC in skipped ST.

Center of Dishcloth:
Chain 21 Row 1: SC in the 2nd CH from hook, SC across, chain one, turn (20 stitches) Row 2: SC in each stitch across, chain one, turn Repeat Row 2 until square (I did 21 rows)

Borders:

Round 1: ch 1, sc around the entire dishcloth, placing 3 SC at each corner. Make sure that the sides have 20 evenly spaced SC Round 2: CH 3, 10 Criss-Cross DC on each side, 3 DC in each corner Round 3 & 4: CH 1, SC in each ST around, placing 3 SC at each corner Note: I used a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

 

Pin it on Pinterest

Place it in your Ravelry queue

 Happy Crafting!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗

Easy Knitted Baby Blanket

I am not a very good knitter.  There, I've said it.  But despite that fact, I love to knit.   I learned to knit from my mother when I was in grade school.  Since my mom is left handed and I'm right-handed, it was a challenge for both of us.  She's a fabulous knitter!  I have a whole drawer full of her hand-knit socks.  I knit mostly blankets, dishcloths, and scarves using simple patterns.

Pictured above is one of my favorite knitting projects.  I've made about a dozen of these over the years.  The pattern is easy.  You only need to pay attention to the first few stitches in each row and then it is mindless knitting across the blanket.  This is a perfect project for car trips or while watching a movie.  

The blue/green blanket, pictured, is made using Bernat Baby Blanket yarn.  The pink blanket is knit with Red Heart Baby Clouds.  Unfortunately, the Baby Clouds yarn is now discontinued.  

The blankets are knit on the diagonal.  Repeat the increase row until the blanket is the desired size.  I make mine about 36" square.  Each blanket takes me about 40 hours to complete.  I often make a matching baby hat with leftover yarn using the Knifty Knitter.  Perfect baby gifts!

Supplies:

Yarn: Boucle for a summer weight blanket or a Chunky baby yarn such as Bernat Baby Blanket

Circular knitting needles, an appropriate size for the yarn weight
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Blue & Pink: Red Heart Baby Clouds Yarn 

The bottom blanket is knit with boucle yarn.

If you are familiar with the Grandmother's favorite dishcloth pattern, this is the same thing only upsized with thicker yarn and sized to wrap a baby. 

Pattern:

Increase:

Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: Knit across row
Increase Row: Knit 2, yarn over, knit across row.
Repeat row 2 until the blanket is the desired size

Decrease:

Once the blanket is the desired size, use the following to decrease by one stitch each row.
Decrease Row: Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit across.
Repeat decrease row until 3 stitches remain.  Cast off.

Weave in ends and trim off excess yarn.

Place this in your Ravelry Queue

Another blanket using Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn

 Happy Crafting!

💗 Grandma Duck 💗