Yes, you absolutely can crochet kitchen scrubbies! These DIY reusable scrubbies are fun to make. They are also great for your sink and help you reduce waste. This guide will show you how to make your own tough, yet gentle, scrubbies using simple crochet skills.
Why Crochet Your Own Kitchen Scrubbies?
Making your own cleaning tools is rewarding. You get to choose the color and the texture. Unlike store-bought sponges, homemade scrubbies often last longer and help the planet. If you enjoy simple quick crochet projects for kitchen decor and utility items, this is perfect for you. Many people search for crochet dishcloth patterns, but scrubbies offer a tougher clean.
Benefits of Handmade Scrubbies
- Eco-Friendly: They reduce the need to throw away plastic sponges.
- Customizable: You pick the color and the roughness.
- Cost-Effective: Yarn is cheap, especially for small projects.
- Great Gifts: They make thoughtful, useful gifts for housewarmings or holidays.
Picking the Right Materials
Choosing the right supplies is key to a successful scrubby. The yarn makes a big difference in how well it scrubs.
The Best Yarn for Crochet Scrubbies
What is the best yarn for crochet scrubbies? The best yarn for these jobs needs to be strong, rough, and able to handle lots of water and soap. You need materials that scrub well without scratching your dishes.
Cotton yarn for scrubbies is the most popular choice. Why? Cotton holds up well when wet. However, 100% cotton can sometimes be too soft for heavy-duty scrubbing. You need texture!
We often mix materials or use specific types of cotton yarn to boost the scrubbing power.
Yarn Choices for Tough Cleaning
| Yarn Type | Scrubbing Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | Medium | Softest option. Good for gentle scrubbing or as a base. |
| Nylon or Polyester Mesh | High | Adds great texture. Use these combined with cotton. |
| Scrubby Yarn (Textured) | Very High | Has plastic or metallic strands woven in. Excellent scouring power. |
| Hemp or Jute Blends | High | Very durable and sturdy. Can feel rough initially. |
If you are making a soap saver scrubby pattern, you might want a slightly looser weave, so standard worsted weight cotton works well there. For maximum scour, look for specialty textured crochet stitches for scrubbing combined with scrubby yarn.
Tools You Will Need
You do not need much to start this beginner crochet scrubby tutorial.
- Yarn (as discussed above).
- A crochet hook. The size depends on your yarn choice. For worsted weight yarn, a G/6 (4.0mm) or H/8 (5.0mm) hook is common. Check your yarn label for the best match.
- Scissors.
- A yarn needle (for weaving in ends).
Deciphering Crochet Stitches for Scrubbing Power
The stitch you choose defines the scrubby’s job. Simple stitches make a basic cloth. Textured stitches make a true scrubber.
Simple Stitches (Good for Bases or Gentle Washing)
If you want a pattern that is easy to follow, like many crochet dishcloth patterns, stick to these:
- Single Crochet (SC): Makes a tight, dense fabric. Good for durability.
- Half Double Crochet (HDC): A little taller than SC, creating a slightly softer cloth.
Textured Stitches (Best for Scrubbing)
To get that tough, exfoliating feel, you need stitches that create bumps or holes. These textured crochet stitches for scrubbing lift food grime well.
- Moss Stitch (or Linen Stitch): Made with alternating SC and Chain 1 spaces. This creates a nubby, textured surface that cleans well.
- Crab Stitch (Reverse SC): Working SC backward creates a very firm, rope-like edge. Great for reinforcing the border of your scrubby.
- Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC): Pushing the hook around the front of the stitch makes the post stick out. Using these creates ridges that scrub effectively.
- The Netting Effect (For a Looser Scrub): This is often used in a crochet netting scrubby. It uses many chain spaces to create an open, airy structure that suds up soap quickly but still has enough friction.
Step-by-Step: Making a Simple, Textured Scrubby
This is a fantastic beginner crochet scrubby tutorial. We will make a simple square scrubby using the Moss Stitch to give it a bit of grip.
Preparation
- Choose Yarn: Use worsted weight 100% cotton, or mix in a small amount of nylon scrubby yarn if you have it.
- Choose Hook: H/8 (5.0 mm) hook.
- Make a Gauge Swatch (Optional but Helpful): Work 10 stitches and 10 rows to see how tight your fabric is.
The Moss Stitch Square Scrubby Pattern
This pattern is worked flat in rows.
Abbreviations Used:
* CH: Chain
* SC: Single Crochet
* SL ST: Slip Stitch
* ST(s): Stitch(es)
Starting Chain: Chain 21. (The starting chain counts as the first stitch in the first row if you are using the standard Moss Stitch setup, but for simplicity in this beginner guide, we will skip the first chain and start in the second chain from the hook).
Row 1 (Setup Row): SC in the 2nd CH from the hook and in every CH across. Turn. (20 SC)
Row 2: CH 1 (does not count as a stitch). SC in the first ST, CH 1, skip the next ST. Repeat from * to the end of the row. End with a SC in the last ST. Turn. (You will have 10 SCs and 9 CH-1 spaces).
Row 3: CH 1 (does not count as a stitch). SC in the first SC, then SC in the top of the next CH-1 space. SC in the next SC, SC in the next CH-1 space. Repeat from * to the end of the row. End with a SC in the last ST. Turn. (20 sts total).
Row 4 & Onward: Repeat Row 2 and Row 3 alternately until your piece is square (about 20 rows, depending on your tension). A good goal is to have the number of rows equal the number of stitches (20×20).
Finishing: Fasten off. Weave in all ends securely using your yarn needle.
Adding a Scrubby Border (Optional but Recommended)
To make this more of an exfoliating crochet pad, add a rough border. We will use the Crab Stitch (Reverse SC).
- Attach your yarn to any corner, facing the right side of your work.
- Crab Stitch (Reverse SC): Instead of working right to left (normal SC), you work left to right. Insert your hook into the stitch to the right. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- Work one Crab Stitch into every SC and one into every CH space around all four sides of the square.
- When you get back to the start, SL ST to the first Crab Stitch made. Fasten off and weave in the end.
This border gives the edges a firm, scrubby texture, perfect for stubborn spots.
Making a Soap Saver Scrubby Pattern
A soap saver scrubby pattern is slightly different. It needs holes so water drains out easily, allowing the soap bar to dry between uses. This prevents mushy soap! These often use a crochet netting scrubby style, or they are made in the round.
We will make a small round pouch, perfect for holding a bar of soap.
Materials for Soap Saver
- Stiffer cotton yarn for scrubbies (maybe slightly thicker, like a cotton/jute blend).
- Hook size appropriate for your yarn (usually slightly smaller than recommended to keep holes tight).
Soap Saver Pouch Pattern (Worked in the Round)
Abbreviations:
* MR: Magic Ring
* CH: Chain
* SC: Single Crochet
* SL ST: Slip Stitch
Instructions:
Round 1: Make a MR. CH 1 (does not count as a ST). Work 6 SC into the ring. SL ST to the first SC to join. (6 sts)
Round 2: CH 1. 2 SC in each ST around. SL ST to join. (12 sts)
Round 3: CH 1. SC in the next ST, 2 SC in the next ST. Repeat from * around. SL ST to join. (18 sts)
Round 4: CH 1. SC in the next 2 sts, 2 SC in the next ST. Repeat from * around. SL ST to join. (24 sts)
Round 5 – 10 (or until large enough to hold your soap): CH 1. SC in each ST around. SL ST to join. (24 sts)
Creating the Drawstring Opening:
Round 11: CH 3 (counts as first DC). Skip the next ST, DC in the next ST, CH 1. Repeat from * around. End with a CH 1 and SL ST to the top of the beginning CH 3. (This creates a row of open spaces).
Round 12 (Drawstring Chain): CH 1. SL ST into the first space created in Round 11. CH 30 (this will be your drawstring). Cut yarn and weave end securely.
To use, thread the soap inside and pull the chain tight to close the opening. The netting effect of the body allows water to escape easily.
Advanced Technique: Scrubbies with Scrubby Yarn
When incorporating dedicated scrubby yarn (which often contains plastic filaments), you must be careful. If you use it for every stitch, the scrubby might be too abrasive for non-stick pans.
Combining Yarns for Balanced Scrubbing
The best method for using textured crochet stitches for scrubbing with specialty yarn is to alternate strands.
- Hold one strand of soft worsted weight cotton and one strand of scrubby yarn together throughout the project.
- This technique creates a fabric that is soft enough to hold soap but has stiff, exfoliating points coming off the main cotton base.
- You can use simple stitches like SC or HDC when holding two strands together. The texture comes from the synthetic strand, not the stitch pattern.
This blended approach is often used in specialized crochet dishcloth patterns that are meant to replace synthetic scouring pads.
Working with Plastic Scrubby Yarn Alone
If you choose to use only the plastic scrubby yarn, make sure you use a larger hook than usual. This prevents the final piece from being too stiff and unusable. It also allows for better water flow. Use simple SC stitches. This creates a very durable, rough pad ideal for grills or burnt pots, but test it first on a dish you don’t mind scratching.
Tips for Success and Maintenance
Making these items is easy, but keeping them useful requires a little care.
Tips for Easy Crocheting
- Keep Tension Loose: Since these items absorb water and expand, keeping your initial tension slightly loose prevents the finished piece from curling up or becoming too small.
- Use Bright Colors: Bright blues, greens, or yellows make them easy to spot in a dark sink caddy.
- Make Small Batches: Since they are fast projects, make several at once. You can alternate between a plain cotton scrubby and a rough scrubby for different cleaning needs.
Maintaining Your DIY Reusable Scrubbies
Because these scrubbies hold moisture, proper care prevents mildew and odors.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After every use, rinse out all soap and food bits.
- Dry Quickly: Hang them up or place them where air can circulate well. Do not leave them sitting in a puddle of water in the sink.
- Sanitize Regularly: Cotton absorbs bacteria, just like a regular sponge.
- Microwave Method: Wet the scrubby thoroughly (essential!). Microwave it on high for 1 minute. (Be careful when removing, it will be very hot!)
- Bleach Soak: Soak them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 15 minutes, then rinse extremely well.
By following these care steps, your DIY reusable scrubbies will last much longer than standard store-bought sponges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use acrylic yarn for kitchen scrubbies?
A: It is generally not recommended. Acrylic yarn shrinks when heated, which happens often during dish sanitizing or when using very hot water. Acrylic also tends to stay slimy longer and does not scrub as effectively as cotton or nylon.
Q: How long should a crochet scrubby last?
A: If made with quality cotton or a blend, and cared for properly (rinsed and dried well), a good scrubby can last anywhere from four weeks to three months. They last much longer than standard cellulose sponges.
Q: Why are my crochet scrubbies curling up?
A: Curling usually happens when the number of stitches used in a row is higher than the number of rows worked, or vice versa, creating an imbalance. For square scrubbies worked in rows, ensure you are chaining the correct starting chain length relative to the number of rows you plan to make. Using a stitch that has more height (like HDC) versus width (like SC) can also cause slight pulling. Adding a border helps immensely to flatten the piece.
Q: Are these scrubbies safe for cast iron?
A: A standard cotton scrubby (made with SC or HDC) is usually safe for well-seasoned cast iron. However, if you are using heavy textured crochet stitches for scrubbing or pure plastic scrubby yarn, use caution. Test a small area first, as overly abrasive materials can strip the seasoning layer.
Q: What weight of yarn is best for a standard square scrubby?
A: Worsted weight (Size 4) cotton yarn is the standard and works best for most crochet dishcloth patterns and simple scrubbies. It balances texture, speed of creation, and durability well.