If you are both a crocheter and a lover of recycled crafts, this will surely be one of your favorite projects. This free crochet pattern for a dish scrubbing pad uses a recycled mesh produce bag to create an abrasive surface. The scrubbing pad is also reversible - one side is a little bit scrubby, and the other side is super scrubby!
The example shown was made using worsted weight yarn and a size G hook and measures about 3 inches by 5 inches. Finished size will vary depending on yarn selection, hook size, and tension. Be sure to use an absorbent, washable yarn for the best result; the scrubbing pad shown was made with 100% cotton Sugar 'n' Cream yarn. The project also uses a single recycled plastic mesh bag, the type that often contains citrus fruits.
To make the mesh bag into workable "yarn," first cut off the tag or label in the end of the bag. With the open ends of the bag facing tot he sides, cut the bag into strips vertically. Cut the strips so that they are 3/4 to 1 inch wide. Slip knot the resulting loops of mesh end-to-end into a continuous strand. Work slowly and carefully, as the mesh string will tangle easily. (See the slideshow at the end of the article for more details on recycling the plastic mesh bag into "yarn'" as well as how to work the scrubby plastic yarn onto the surface of the dish pad.)
Reversible Dish Scrubber Free Crochet Pattern
R1: Ch 15.
R2-12: Turn; dc 15.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
To work the scrubby surface onto the dish pad, pair a string of mesh bag yarn with a strand of regular yarn. Starting at one of the corners, slip stitch the double strand around the post of the first dc in the row. (Do not stitch into the outside edge of the scrubber.) Sl st around the post of each dc across, always feeding the yarn in a downward direction. (See the slideshow for a photo demonstrating this technique.) At the end of the row, ch 1, then turn and work across the next row, always being careful not to work the scrubby surface into the outside edge. When the entire surface has been covered, fasten off and weave in ends.
I found that it is easiest to work the scrubbing surface onto the dish pad by laying the project flat on a table while crocheting. Make a larger or smaller dish pad (or even a full-size dish cloth) by altering the dimensions of the crocheted base before working on the mesh bag yarn surface.
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