How to Make an Eco-Friendly Corsage  

Back to List

How to Make a Recycled Twine Welcome Mat

How to Crochet a Tawashi

Linda Permann, contributor

41 users recommend

The tawashi (dish scrubber) in its natural habitat.

Linda Permann

Start by making a chain of 21 stitches.

Linda Permann

Sc in the 2nd chain from your hook, then sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 12 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in last 2 ch. Before completing your last sc (i.e., before the last yarn over), switch colors as detailed below.

Linda Permann

The tawashi (dish scrubber) in its natural habitat.

Photo: Linda Permann

Add Comment
Print

Japanese Tawashi, or dish scrubbies, have become popular crochet (and knit) items over the past few years, perhaps because they are small, cute, and useful. They can be washed and dried, meaning there's not the same gross-out factor as with commercial sponges that end up getting tossed. I designed this tawashi out of Red Heart Eco-Cotton Blend, which is made out of recycled T-shirt remnants (factory waste). You can also make these out of acrylic (the scratchier the better!) for extra scrubbing power—in Japan, they even sell yarns that have silver ions in them and are antibacterial. Supposedly they need no detergent to work—now that's eco-friendly!

After my crafting session, I put the tawashi to use straight away on the dishes and found it especially good for bowls and glasses because of its flexibility (I like to fold it over the edges and clean the outside and inside at once). A scratchy one would do a supreme job on tougher dishes, but I like the feel of the cotton. It would also make an excellent duster or counter wiper—I see  more of these in my future! If you find yourself addicted to crocheting these, you might want to check out Tawashi Town on Ravelry (you must be a Ravelry member to join), or check out this roundup of knit and crochet tawashi.

Materials:

• Small amount of Red Heart Eco-Cotton (or comparable yarn, CYCA size 4) in three colors
• Size F (3.75mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Abbreviations:
ch     chain
sc     single crochet
hdc   half double crochet
dc     double crochet

Start by making a chain of 21 stitches.

Sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, then sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 12 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in last 2 ch. Before completing your last sc (i.e., before the last yarn over), switch colors as detailed below.

Each row of color will taper off at both edges—this will make the ball shape of the tawashi.

Make the last yarn over of your last stitch with a second color (I used three in all, which makes it easy to pick up the colors at the end of each row), and turn.

Row 2: Working in the back loop ONLY, ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, hdc in next 2 hdc, dc in next 12 dc, hdc in next 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc (changing colors with last sc), and turn.

Repeat row 2 twenty-two more times, for a total of 24 stripes of color. Row 3 will be your third color (white, for mine). You'll work every row in the back loop only, which will give the tawashi a slightly ribbed texture.

When you get to the end of your third (white) row, grab the color from the first row (green) to complete the last single crochet, and turn.

Using three colors makes it easy to have one to grab at each side. If you only want to use two colors, you might want to alternate colors every two rows so that you don't have to cut and weave a lot of ends.

At the end of the 24th row, fasten off and leave a long (12-inch) end for sewing. Your work should look like this. Weave in all of the ends, except for the tail you left for sewing.

With wrong sides facing, use a whipstitch to sew up the side seam of your tawashi, catching only the inside loop of the last row.

Loop the needle through every other green stripe all around the top of the tawashi and pull taut. Insert the needle through to the other end of the tawashi and repeat on the bottom side.

Carefully weave the end into the inside of the tawashi, working through the back side of only one layer of stitches. Trim the end.

Press the tawashi flat so it looks like a circle. Head to the sink, and add some soap and water.

Now you're ready tawashi the dishes! I can't guarantee it will be fun forever, but this little project did inspire me to do my keeping-it-real sinkful of dishes.

See more of my projects on my personal blog, and look for my new book, Crochet Adorned, in stores August 11, 2009.

View 4 member project galleries

More Tawashis
panAsh

Tawashi
panAsh

My tawashi!
quietnonconformist

tawashi
tzeni

Add Comment Print

Comments (13)

Kat7914 writes: I love this pattern for a tawashi. I want to put a photo on my blog of what I have made using your pattern. Is this ok if I put a link back to this web site?

thanks for a wonderful easy pattern!

Kat7914
Posted: 12:01 am on July 7th

21centurydressmaker writes: it's visually wonderful and I also love your tutorial, clear and doable. Must go fill a colorful basket with them to keep handy in the kitchen. Thank you!
Posted: 4:23 am on June 4th

LindaPermann writes: thanks rainbowridgegrma! i'm glad you like them!
Posted: 1:07 pm on April 23rd

rainbowridergrma writes: I am not one to ooh and aah over a dish cloth, but this is an exception. I have made several from your wonderful pattern. They fit my hand just right and they really do a good job of cleaning. Thanks so much for the pattern.
Posted: 12:00 pm on April 23rd

LindaPermann writes: craftybear- you can try the link i listed for other free tawashi patterns, or check ravelry.com. I hope you'll share your results with us!
Posted: 2:41 am on April 5th

craftybear2005 writes: cool pattern, I can't wait to make some of these! Do you have any other of the cool tawashi patterns, as I bought a book but can't translate it into English
Posted: 2:03 am on April 5th

txyarngirl writes: Thanks! I've been wondering what to make w/ my leftover dishcloth cotton, and I think I'll try a Tawashi. Cute!
Posted: 11:19 pm on April 3rd

ohnoshesews writes: oh, so cute! great stashbuster, too. Thanks for the nice tutorial.

Posted: 2:24 pm on April 2nd

LindaPermann writes: thanks! and Joannie_N- I'm glad you already had a chance to use it. And yes, for anyone who wants to make a smaller version, just subtract some of the double crochets on each row (for instance, do only 6 dc/row).
Posted: 12:08 pm on April 2nd

Joannie_N writes: This article came at the perfect time. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and I was able to make two of them -- one full size as the pattern indicated for my husband (the dishwasher in this house) and one smaller one for my mother to use at her house. Very quick and easy!
Posted: 8:44 am on April 2nd

NigheanRuadh writes: I was just thinking that I need to replace my worn-out dishcloths (craftily, of course). This project is perfect!!
Posted: 6:55 am on April 2nd

5andDime writes: It looks like a sea urchin! It could go in the coral reef.
Posted: 12:42 pm on April 1st

Sister_Diane writes: I love this project! Useful, simple, pretty, AND makes good use of scrap yarns. I have so much acrylic leftover from teaching various classes - which I'll now be putting to good use. Thanks for the lovely tutorial!
Posted: 7:29 am on April 1st

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.