When I first encountered hand-crocheted and hand-knitted washcloths, my reaction was “you’ve got to be kidding”.  Why use something that takes all that time to make just to wash yourself (or to wash the dishes)?  But now, I know why!

They’re just SO lovely to feel, and maybe the time and effort that goes into making them somehow transfers itself to the person using them.  These four are made in Cleckheaton Natural Cotton 8 ply, with a 4.5mm hook.  They’re based on the Organic Cotton for Babies Washcloth pattern from Interweave Crochet, Summer 2008.

I’m planning on giving these as Christmas gifts accompanied by a cake of natural soap (which I will buy, not make myself).

Each washcloth took just under one ball of yarn, edged with the leftover from a coordinating ball.

Apparently the colours in this yarn are natural variations found in unbleached cotton.  They are rather muted and I think quite sophisticated.  Even if they are being used for washcloths.

Edited to add:  Thanks for the washcloth love!  A few people have asked me about the pattern.  You can find a free one here (you do need to register with the website but they have loads of patterns) using the same stitch, sedge stitch.  If you have a crochet dictionary you’ll find sedge stitch in that too.  I used 37 stitches for mine, and edged it right around with a row of sc in the main colour, then a row of sc and a row of hdc in the contrast (I’m using American crochet terms).  Hope that helps!