I make a lot of swatches when I’m working on patterns. You know, working out patterns, figuring out the count. The color combo. When I was making the library tote for this month’s Craft Leftovers Monthly, it was same as usual. This time, instead of shooting for “coaster” sized swatches, I went for dishcloth sized!

The first one was so funny looking because I kept changing hook sizes and stitch combos. Once I got it worked out, I made a little “coaster” just to double check. Then I made another final larger one using some leftover Peaches n’ Creme yarn.

I made it a little shorter than it is wide so it would be the right side for my hand and not too thick to get into cups. Because of the spike stitches, it’s also thick enough to be used as a trivet. I wouldn’t trust it for a hot pad though–too holey, I think. I could just see one of my fingers slipping through and getting burnt.

::Materials::

• 10g – cotton yarn, worsted – Color A

• 10g – cotton yarn, worsted – Color B

• 10g – cotton yarn, worsted – Color C

• Crochet hook – size G (4.5mm)

::Directions::
Foundation: Chain 25.
Note: Change color every row.
Note: Carry the yarn up the sides, do not cut at the end of each row or you will have a whole lot of ends to weave in at the end – something to be avoided at all cost in the lazy crafter’s (me) world.

1st Row (ws): Skip 2 ch (count as 1hdc), 1hdc into next ch, *skip 1ch [1hdc, 1ch, 1hdc] into next chain; rep from * to last 2ch, skip 1ch, 2hdc into last ch, turn.

2nd Row: 3ch, 1dc into first st (counts as dc2tog), *ch1, work dc3tog into next ch space; repeat from * to last space, ending 1ch, dc2tog into top of tch, turn.

3rd Row: 2ch (count as 1hdc), work 1hdc spike stitch in chain space, * work [1hdc spike, 1ch, 1hdc spike] into next chain space, repeat from * to ending 1hdc into top of tch, turn.

4th Row: 3ch (count as 1dc), skip 1st st, *work dc3tog into next space, 1ch; repeat from * to last space, work dc3tog into last space, 1dc into top of tch, turn.

5th Row: 2ch (count as 1hdc), work 1hdc spike stitch in chain space, * work [1hdc spike, 1ch, 1hdc spike] into next chain space, repeat from * to ending 2hdc into top of tch, turn.

Repeat rows 2-5 until piece measures 7 inches ending with row 3 or 5. Fasten off.

Using Color B (or color of your choice) and work a single crochet stitch border around the whole dishcloth, working approx 1sc in each stitch all the way around and 3sc in each corner stitch. It’s a pretty approx thing, so don’t stress too much about it. The main thing is covering up the yarn you carried up the side.

Fasten off and weave in all the ends.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!
Kristin

ps – if you want the pattern for the larger project that this “swatch” was made for, it’s the Library Tote in the August issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly.