Elegant Elle Baby Blanket (or Washcloth)

I usually make up my crochet patterns as I go. It’s been a long time since I’ve actually sat down and tried to write a pattern—and honestly, that feels like a whole different language! Hopefully this makes sense and is easy to follow.

Washcloth or Baby Blanket Pattern

Start by chaining an even number to your desired width.

(For a baby blanket, I typically chain about 86.)

Row 1:
Insert hook into the 3rd chain from the hook.
Pull up a loop, yarn over, go back into the same chain space and pull up another loop (you’ll have 4 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops, chain 1.
Skip the next stitch, go into the following chain, and repeat from * to the end of the row. Chain 2.

Row 2:
Pull up a loop, yarn over, go back into the same chain-1 space and pull up another loop (4 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops, chain 1.
Move to the next chain-1 space and repeat from * to the end of the row. Chain 2.

Repeat Row 2 until your piece reaches your desired length.

Work a single crochet (sc) evenly around the entire piece to create a foundation for the border.

Border

(Continue with your preferred border here…)

Baby Blanket Pattern

Cluster stitch: insert hook into the ch 1 space, pull up loop. YO and into same ch space, pull up a loop. There will be four loops on hook. YO and pull through all four loops.

I used an H/5mm crochet hook but this pattern is very forgiving. 

Cast on an odd number of stitches as long as desired

Row 1 Cluster stitch into the 3rd ch from hook *ch 1, skip a stitch* work cluster in next ch1
space. Repeat across ending with a cluster stitch in the last chain. Chain 2, turn.

Row 2 Cluster stitch ch 1 in each ch1 space across. Chain 2. 

Repeat Row 2 until desired length.

Elle’s Easy Crochet Washcloth 🧶

Sometimes you just need a simple, soothing project for those moments when your hands want to stay busy but your mind wants to relax—like while watching TV. This little washcloth is my go-to. It’s mindless enough to crochet without counting stitches too carefully, and the finished cloth has the perfect texture for everyday use.

I prefer to make mine smaller—it’s just the right size for drying my face—but you can easily make yours larger if you like.

For yarn, I love Sugar & Cream Cotton for a durable facecloth. If you’re making a baby cloth, choose something softer and more gentle on skin. Either way, the textured stitch makes a lovely variegated look. Hook doesn't matter but I usually grab something like an H.

Chain 24 sts, turn

SC in 3rd stitch from hook (ch1, skip next ch, sc in next ch) across until you work in last stitch. Turn. Repeat until desired length

Knit Christmas Stocking

 This is a family tradition where each child got a stocking knit with their name on it. The full pattern including charts is available for free at: 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jumbo-santa-claus-stocking 

Below is the pattern written out, meant to be used in accompaniment with the charts.

​CHRISTMAS ​STOCKING

​1 PAIR ​#6 NEEDLES OR ​5 M​​​M

​1 SET OF 4 SOCK NEEDLES SIZE 6 OR 5 MM

2 BALLS WHITE YARN

1 BALL RED YARN

1 BALL PINK YARN

1 BALL BLACK YARN

1 BALL GREEN YARN

WITH LON​G NEEDL​ES CA​ST ON​ 59 STITCHES.IN RED.

​K1,P1 FOR 10 ROWS

​STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 4 ROWS

CONTINUE IN WHITE STOCKING ST & BEGIN WHITE IN RED - 10 ROWS TOTAL (10 ROWS HIGH AND 7 STS WIDE FOR EACH OF THE LETTERS)

CENTRE NAME

AFTER LETTERS, STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 4 ROWS

​THEN DO GREEN & WHITE THEN DO GREEN FOR 4 ROWS

BEGIN SANTAS PATTERN AS PER GRAPH

AFTER SANTAS, DO 12 ROWS OF GREEN STOCKING STITCH & THEN 4 ROWS OF WHITE STOCKING ST.

bEGIN CANDY CANES AS PER GRAPH 

AT THE END OF THE 13TH ROW DIVIDE WORK ON 3 NEEDLES. PUT 15 ST ON NEEDLE 1, 29 STS ON NEEDLE 2, 15 STS ON NEEDLE 3

CONTINUING ON CENTER 29 STS, COMPLETE THE CANDY CANES. 

DO 4 ROWS OF WHITE STOCKING STITCH

PUT 30 HEEL STS ON ONE NEEDLE

WORK IN STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 2" ENDING ON KNIT ROW

1) P1, P15, P2TOG, P1, TURN

2) K3, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

3) P4, P2TOG, P1, TURN

4) K5, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

5) P6, P2TOG, P1, TURN

G) K7, SL1, K1, PSS0, K1, TURN

7) P8, P2TOG, P1, TURN

8) K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

9) P10, P2TOG, P1, TURN

10) K11, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

11) P12, P2TOG, P1, TURN

12) K13, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

13) P14, P2TOG, P1, TURN

14) K15, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1 - 16 STS ON NEEDLE

CUT YARN

CAST ON 13 STS. K THESE 13 STS & 16 HEEL STS AND CASE ON 13 MORE - TOTAL 42 STS

​

1) K1, PURL TO LAST ST K1

2) K1, K2TOGH, K TO LAST 3 STS, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1

REPEAT THESE 2 ROWS TO 26 STS ON NEEDLE

WORK IN STOCKING ST TILL FRON IS SAME LENGTH AS BACK

CHANGE TO RED YARN & PROCEED ON 4 NEEDLES

3RD NEEDLE - K13, 2ND NEEDLE - K29, 1ST NEEDLE - K13: (55 STS TOTAL)

WORK IN STOCKING STITCH FOR 2"

CHANGE TO GREEN YARN & WORK 6 ROWS IN STOCKING ST.

SHAPE TOE 

REARRANGE STITCHES 1ST NEEDLE: 14 STITCHES, 2ND NEEDLE 27 STITCHES, 3RD NEEDLE 14 STITCHES

1) 1ST NEEDLE - KNIT TO LAST 3 STS, K2TOG, K1, 

2ND NEEDLE: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, KNIT TO LAST 3 STS, K2 TOG, K1, 

THIRD NEEDLE:K1, SL1, K1, PSSO KNIT TO END OF NEEDLE

2) KNIT ACROSS ALL NEEDLES

REPEAT THESE 2 ROWS TILL 15 STS REMAIN

KNIT THE STS OF 1ST NEEDLE ONTO THE END OF 3RD NEEDLE.

BREAK YARN LEAVING A 12" STRANGE

GRAFT TOE

PRESS

SEW HEEL TOGETHER

SEW BACK SEAM

SEW ON 3 JINGLE BELLS ON GREEN POINTS

Below are charts that my Mother and Aunt did that help for placement but you can just use the original pattern if you prefer. You can see how old these papers are!

Cute & Easy Cluster Dishcloth / Washcloth / Facecloth - Free Pattern

I love crocheting dish / wash cloths. Not only are they mindless and keep my hands busy but they make great gifts if I am not in need of a facecloth for myself.

Cluster Stitch:

Cluster: Insert hook into the ch 1 space, pull up a loop. Yarn over, insert hook into same ch 1 space, pull up a loop. There will be four loops on your hook. Pull through all 4 loops on your hook.


Pattern:
Chain 31.
Row 1: cluster in the 3rd ch from hook. *ch 1, skip a stitch, cluster in the next


stitch* across ending with a cluster in the last chain. Ch 2, turn.
Row 2: *cluster, ch 1* in each ch 1 space across. Work your final cluster around the ch 2 at the end of the row (insert your hook under the ch 2). Ch 2, turn.
Repeat row 2 till as long as you wish.
Final row: *cluster, ch 1* in each ch 1 space across. Work your final cluster around the ch 2 at the end of the row (insert your hook under the ch 2). Ch 1, turn.
Continue to the border.
Border Pattern:
Round 1: sc in each stitch around the blanket. Work sc, ch 2, sc in each corner stitch.
Cut yarn and weave ends.

Elle's Easy Seed Stitch Cloth

This is a great one to practice your tension. It is an easy pattern, double-sided and lies nice and flat.

Cast on as many stitches as you want in multiple of 2
Knit 4 rows and then proceed with 2 row pattern:

Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * across.
Row 2: *P1, k1; rep from * across. 

Repeat above 2 rows until cloth is desired length. Finish with knitting 4 rows. c/o. 

I like to edge with a hdc around and doing 3 hdc's in the corner.

Elle's Easy 4 Row Washcloth

This is one of my favorite knit washcloths as it is an easy pattern, double-sided and lies nice and flat.

Cast on 33 stitches
Knit 4 rows and then proceed with 4 row pattern:

Row 1 & 3) Knit
Row 2 Knit 3* slip 1, knit 1* across, Knit last two stitches
Row 4) Knit 4 * slip 1, Knit 1* across, Knit last three stitches

Repeat above 4 rows 3 x or until cloth is desired length. Finish with knitting 4 rows. c/o. 

I like to edge with a hdc around and doing 3 hdc's in the corner.

Crochet Washcloth

This is a very quick and easy crochet cloth. I like the pattern and that it is double sided. 

Chain 24 Stitches 
Row 1: In 2nd chain from hook, (sc, ch 1, sc), *skip ch, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next chain stitch*, repeat from * to * across the row. Turn. (Do not chain 1) 
Row 2: (Sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch 1 space across the row. Turn. (Do not ch 1) 

Repeat row 2 of this pattern until your washcloth reaches 9″ inches long, or until the desired size. Once your washcloth is the size that you’d like, you can make a border of single crochet stitches around the entire piece. Tie off and weave in the ends!

Striped Washcloth

Cast on 35 stitches

Knit first 8 rows

Row 9) Knit

Row 10: K4, *K1, P1* K5

Row 11) Knit

Row 12) K4,*P1, K1* P1, K4

Repeat Row 9 to 12 x 9 times

Finish by knitting 8 rows.

Glossary

k=Knit

P=Purl

Horizontal/Vertical Washcloth

Cast on 38 stitches

Knit first two rows to keep border flat

Knit first 2 and last 2 stitches of every row to keep border flat.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: K2, purl to last 2, k2

Row 3: K2, (K1, P2) x 11 times, K3

Row 4: K2, (P1, K2) x 12 times

Repeat above 3 rows to desired size. Finish by knitting 3 rows.

Glossary

k=Knit

P=Purl

4 Row Pattern Washcloth

Cast on even # stitches. I like 36 stitches

Knit first and last two rows to keep border flat

Knit first 2 and last 2 stitches of every row to keep border flat.

Row 1: sl1 * k2, p1*

Row 2: sl 1 *P2, k1* p3

Row 3: sl1 *K2, p1*

Row 4: Sl1, Knit to last stitch, P1

Glossary

k=Knit

P=Purl

sl1=slip 1 knitwise

*instructions*=Repeat between *'s to end

Slip Stitch Washcloth Pattern

Cast on odd # stitches. I like 37 stitches

Knit first and last two rows to keep border flat

Knit first 2 and last 2 stitches of every row to keep border flat.

Row 1: K1 * yo, sl1, k1, yo, psso the knit and the yo stitch *

Row 2: *P2, drop yo* p1

Row 3: K2, rep between *'s of Row 1 ending with a K1

Row 4: P3 * drop yo, p2*

Glossary

k1=Knit 1

yo=yarn over

sl1=slip 1 knitwise

psso=pass the slip stitch over

*instructions*=Repeat between *'s to end

Windowpane Dishcloth

I got this pretty pattern from: http://makingitwithhelp.blogspot.com/2012/10/windowpanes-knitted-dishcloth-pattern.html

Unfortunately, I do not have time to answer questions about this pattern. I hope it is accurate and that you enjoy.

Seed stitch:  Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches 

Having a seed stitch border (2 rows at the beginning and end as well as 3 stitches at the beginning and end of every row) will help your washcloth to lay flat and have a nice drape.

Cast on 36 stitches. 
Work seed stitch for 6 rows for Border as follows:
Row 1) *k1, p1; rep from *
Row 2) *p1, k1; rep from *

Body
Side borders: Begin and end each row in seed st (5 sts). Instructions for pattern between the side borders: Work bottom border. Work bottom border. 

Row 1: K1, *P4, K1* across. 
Row 2: P1, *K4, P1* across. 
Row 3: K1, *P4, K1* across. 
Row 4: P1, *K4, P1* across. 
Row 5: Knit across. 
Row 6: P1, *K4, P1* across. 
Repeat these six rows six times. 
Work top border. 
Bind off in knit stitch. 
Weave in yarn ends. Block. 

Elle's Slip Stitch Washcloth

Unfortunately, I do not have time to answer questions about this pattern. I hope it is accurate and that you enjoy.

Seed stitch:  Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches 

Having a seed stitch border (2 rows at the beginning and end as well as 3 stitches at the beginning and end of every row) will help your washcloth to lay flat and have a nice drape.

Worked on an odd # of stitches
Cast on 39 stitches. 
Work seed stitch for 2 rows for Border as follows:
Row 1) *k1, p1; rep from *
Row 2) *p1, k1; rep from *

Body
Row 1) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, Knit to last 3 stitches, 
Row 2) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, K1, *sl1 purlwise, k1, rep from * work to last 4 stitches, k1 and then work seed stitch on last 3 stitches
Row 3) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, Knit to last 3 stitches, 
Row 4) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, K2 *sl1 purlwise, K1, rep from* K2, work last 3 stitches in seed stitch

Daisy Stitch Washcloth

Unfortunately, I do not have time to answer questions about this pattern. I hope it is accurate and that you enjoy.

Seed stitch:  Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches 

Having a seed stitch border (2 rows at the beginning and end as well as 3 stitches at the beginning and end of every row) will help your washcloth to lay flat and have a nice drape.

Multiple of 4 & 1
Cast on 39 stitches. 
Work seed stitch for 2 rows for Border as follows:
Row 1) *k1, p1; rep from *
Row 2) *p1, k1; rep from *

Body
Rows 1 & 3) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, Knit to last 3 stitches, Work 3 stitches in seed stitch
Row 2) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, K1 *P3tog, (do NOT remove from needle), yo, Purl same 3 stitches together , knit 1* Repeat from * to last 3 stitches. Work 3 stitches in seed stitch
Row 4) Work 3 stitches in seed stitch, K1, P1, K1 *P3 tog, yo, P same 3 sts tog, K1* Repeat from * to last 5 stitches p1, k1, Work 3 stitches in seed stitch

Crocheted Popcorn Stitch Baby Blanket

This is my favorite crocheted baby blanket - the popcorn stitch and v-stitch are so easy to remember that this is something my fingers can do without think my having to think..  (Click on photo to enlarge.  When done viewing, click on the 'x' to return to this page)

Popcorn stitch close-up

The pattern is super easy. I usually use a large crochet hook like an "H". Chain desired # of stitches (I usually do 74)

First row: DC in 4th chain from hook, ch3, dc in same stitch, work V stitch across to end, dc in last stitch, ch1, turn

Row 1: SC
Row 2: Popcorn stitch
Row 3: SC
Row 4: V-stitch

Then I finished it with a scalloped edging.  Quick and cute.

SC= single crochet 3 in each V-stitch and 1 in each join across row

Popcorn stitch=Single crochet in next 2 stitches. * Work 5 double crochet (dc) stitches in the next stitch. Insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first double crochet of the group. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch. Single crochet in next 3 stitches and then repeat from *
V-Stitch: Chain 3 for first 'post', *double crochet (dc) into 3rd stitch from hook, chain 3, dc into same stitch, sc in next 3 stitches and then repeat from *

Elle's Checkerboard Washcloth

Unfortunately, I do not have time to answer questions about this pattern. I hope it is accurate and that you enjoy.

Seed stitch:  Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches 

Having a seed stitch border (2 rows at the beginning and end as well as 3 stitches at the beginning and end of every row) will help your washcloth to lay flat and have a nice drape.

Cast on 36 stitches. 
Work seed stitch for 2 rows for Border as follows:
Row 1) *k1, p1; rep from *
Row 2) *p1, k1; rep from *

Body 
Rows 1 to 5: Work 3 stitches in seed stitch *Knit 5, Purl 5, repeat from * to last 3 stitches. Work 3 stitches in seed stitch 
Rows 6 to 10: Work 3 stitches in seed stitch *Purl 5, Knit 5, repeat from * to last 3 stitches. Work 3 stitches in seed stitch
Repeat to desired length and cast off.

Elle's Life for September 2014

The most amazing part of September was definitely the time we spent in Maui.  Absolute bliss.

When we returned to the mainland, we were immediately flooded with the whirlwind of work, and by Mother Nature

This is the greenbelt that you see behind me when I film

I was able to meet some girlfriends for a long overdue lunch.  We love going to this rotating sushi place.  

Mark calls it "fast food bait".  I call it "yum".   

I also met some girlfriends for Thai food (I forgot to take pictures) and had my favorite bookclub that is more laughter and fun than anything.

Dressed up for Date Night in black lace shorts and a sheer black blouse.

Our temperature is still 90 to 100 during the day but we are getting down into the 70's at night.  That means our pool is in the 80's which is beautiful during the day but too cool for my cold blood in the evening (yes, you can laugh at me!) The nice thing about lower evening temperatures is that we are enjoying sitting outside at night.  So beautiful.

I have made a fair amount of progress on knitting this scarf that I started in Maui.

It was definitely a full and wonderful month.

Please let me know if you like these "Elle's Life" blog posts.  I want your feedback!  If you don't like this post, tell me (I won't be offended) and if you do like them, what else you would like included. Thanks and I hope your month was as fabulous as month.

Christmas is coming!

I spent this afternoon blocking (getting wet and stretching out to dry) some of the many knit and crocheted scarves that I have been working on.  I am planning on doing a video demonstrating a couple of these stitches.

Close up to show you the fun texture.  These were just straight stocking stitch (knit every row) 

If you are a knitter and interested in a GREAT place to buy yarn over the internet, check out Smiley's.  I believe they have a minimum $50 order (which I always easily surpass).  Do not blame me for turning you on this place! :-)