Would You Use a Hand-crocheted Dish Rag?

Updated on December 02, 2011
J.T. asks from Mansfield, TX
37 answers

I have taken up crocheting and am in the process of making the special women in my life each a scarf. I'm wanting to surprise each of them, so I can't ask if they would wear one or not. Two of the women I don't think like to wear scarves. A friend suggested I make them dish rags instead. Would you use them, or do you think they would harbor too many germs? (I remember a post and the responses on here not long ago about dish rags and germs!)

Do you have another suggestion for something I could crochet these special women that they would wear or use?

Thank you!!!

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M..

answers from Detroit on

I wouldnt because I treat my dishrags like hell. But I wouldnt mind a pot holder or one of those things you put under a hot dish....omg brain fart I cant think of what to call it.

I need coffee.

3 moms found this helpful

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't use them but my mom does. I love the hand towels with the crochet tops that hook over the handle on the oven. I go thru tons of those.

2 moms found this helpful

J.✰.

answers from San Antonio on

I recently bought my MIL some hand-crocheted dish rags and she LOVES them b/c they match her granite. She has a stack of dish rags and uses a new one each day, so - as long as they're machine washable, I say YES I would use a hand-crocheted dish rag!

Other ideas: a hot pad/trivet, a mug/glass/can koozie, a nice hankie - where you crochet a pretty border around it, or somehow stich their name/initials on the hankie, a cover for cast iron pot handles (if they use cast iron, the handle is hot, so you have to use a hotpad. Annoying, b/c the hotpad falls off. SO you could make a tube-like hot pad that basically is like a sock/koozie for the handle of the cast iron pan).

2 moms found this helpful

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B.L.

answers from Boston on

I would absolutely use them. Another similar idea is washcloths -- just make sure to use a soft cotton yarn. I've made my family knitted washcloths and they love them. And, using a handmade washcloth sounds luxurious while using a handmade dishcloth doesn't. It's pretty much the same thing when you make them though. You could give them with a bar or two of nice soap.

3 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Yes, they wash and dry just like any other item in the laundry. I would make double sure to tie the end of the yarn very well so that the agitation of the washing machine did not unravel the ends.

2 moms found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Redding on

My mom just knitted up dozens of dish cloths for the family. They work great and are also good as pot holders at the same time. The one's she's made are durable... just need to be treated like any other dish cloth, rinse and keep dry. I know my mom uses special thread for hers, I'm sure that makes a difference too.
The other project she is working on are fingerless gloves, they are really cute and seem fairly easy to make. She's making a pair for my DIL and my granddaughter for Christmas.

2 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I have never heard of crocheted dish cloths, the ones I have are knitted. Granted they are easy as heck to make because you only knit. I wouldn't think crocheted would work as well because it is a looser weave.

Doilies are easy to make. Some my grandma passed down to me are beautiful.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.K.

answers from Chicago on

Yes! And I did, for years! Loved them! They can also be used as dust clothes, especially if you use the right thread. Great gift idea!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.S.

answers from Chicago on

Although you already have a million responses, I would not use a dishrag, BUT My Grandmother crocheted me 2 "hot pads" (the things that sit on the counter that you can put hot pans/dishes on) and although not aesthetically pleasing in color, work FANTASTIC. We use them pretty much daily...I was even thinking of going on ebay to see if I could find someone who sells them to get a couple more!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

I have and they actually work quite well. Not sure why I don't use them more regularly. I don't think they would harbor any more germs than anything else. I either run them through the dishwasher or put them in the microwave periodically to disinfect. Have fun. I'd be honored to receive such a gift.

D.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Yes, I would use them. BUT I would rather receive a hand crocheted wash cloth - my mom made knitted ones a few years ago and they are fantastic. Not sure what patterns or yarn she used but they made great suds and exfoliated really well.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

The handcrafted dish cloths I've been given over the year are some of the best gifts I've had! If they're tied off properly, they'll last for a long time and are better quality than the dish cloths you can get at the store. Of course, you wash them frequently - and they are just fine in my machine along with the towels. (The bright red one my MIL made me once I washed separately for a while. Even at that, it's still red, not faded pink!)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Tulsa on

dishtowels with the crochet handles. you can snap them on your cabinet handle.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Detroit on

yes I would use a crochet dish rag. What about making them a scrubbie, I saw a pattern for one in the yarn asile a while back. You can make them:
slippers
"shopping" bag
socks
hat
mittens

good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

Yep. My MIL knits them every year for us. LOVE THEM!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Absolutey! I have 2 hand crocheted ones and I love them more than my cotton ones. The yarny texted crocheted together makes almost like a mesh texture which is great for scrubbing hardened on food off and won't scratch like those brillo pads.

1 mom found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

My MIL made them and they were fine. But as Gamma says, make sure the end knot is good as some of mine unraveled.
I don't like the pot holders. You can get burned through the tiny holes.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Dallas on

yup. use the cotton yarn (not acrylic) Peaches & Creme is a great brand that you can get a walmart in nice colors. They're great. Environmentally friendly, don't get stiff or smelly, and even my mom- who is the fussiest person on the planet- liked them and requested more.

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

I just ordered some off etsy. So...yep!!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I use dish rags that I knitted myself from 100% cotton yarn. When they get icky, I just throw them in the washing machine.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

I don't think I would. I would think that it's too nice and for washing dishes I use a sponge and drying, waffle-weave dish towels.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I have some I made myself and some from my grandma and I LOVE them!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Youngstown on

When I first learned how to crochet I made dish rags and used them. I loved them. I didn't think of germs..I imagine it's the same as one you buy from the store and as long as you wash them regularly and don't use them too long they are ok.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from Cleveland on

I use them. My Grandma makes them for me, I have about 30! They are ok to put in the washing machine.

1 mom found this helpful

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

I have never had one, so I'm not sure if I'd use it. I'd probably think it was too nice to use on dishes! I collect crocheted doilies. Maybe you can make a few of those.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

Personally, I don't use dishrags (my sis does, though)...however, I would TOTALLY use crocheted hot pads for hot pots & pans going on the table for dinner. I wish I had more of those since apparently I lose them frequently for some reason!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Rockford on

Hand crocheted dish rags are awesome! Just saying. A friend of mine makes them, and especially if they are made out of 100% cotton. You can't beat the texture. I personally think they are fantastic. But if you are looking for other ideas you can look on http://lionbrand.com/ for free patterns to crochet. They have some pretty spiffy things, and gift ideas. Most of them are quick patterns too, so it won't take you three weeks to finish one.

By the way, just as a side thought, I was reading through the responses and a trivet (the thing you put under hot dishes) are great ideas too!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I have to admit that I wouldn't use a crocheted dishrag. However, I would use a crocheted potholder, if the crochet is tightly weaved and the potholder not too thin.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
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R.G.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I, personally, would use the dish rag but that is me. You could do a small lap blanket or a shawl. Just something simple they could throw on to keep warm. Have fun crocheting :)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.Q.

answers from Bellingham on

Yes, I use them. My mother has made lovely ones for me. I use them mostly for cleaning the kitchen, wipe downs etc. I just throw them in the daily wash to clean them, and then in the hot dryer.

1 mom found this helpful
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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have O. that someone made for me. I like it when I use it. I'm more of a sponge person though. As for the germ factor--they need to be washed often like any other thing you use for the sink--no biggie--that's what washing machines are for!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

One of my MIL makes these, and I like them (although I don't have one). The germs stay at bay when they are washed regularly. I also use a lot of vinegar in my cleaning and wash, so I don't worry about that too much anyway.

I think it is a great gift. Just try to make them match their kitchens and you're home free! Maybe add a dish towel?

I love the scarves that have the frilly yarn; they look so fashionable. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I have tons of knit wash clothes I use daily.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have a ton of these, crocheted by my dear grandma- I use at least two each day, then throw them in the wash on hot with bleach! No germs to be found. She made them with huge spools of cotton that we would pick up at JoAnn or Hobby Lobby, and she would crochet (or knit) the days away. I love them, and think of her daily. I think your friends would appreciate your thoughtful efforts on their behalf! Just make sure they are 100% cotton, if you want them to be useful to wipe the counters and table. The cotton comes in lots of colors, but since I bleach them, I always preferred natural or white. What a kind woman you are! Happy holidays!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Dayton on

I don't think it's much different, but my mom knits me dish clothes - I love them!! I just wash them like I would any other dish cloth, so I don't think they would have any more germs than usual. I think people are touched by handmade gifts and would appreciate it very much.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Boca Raton on

My Sister and Grandma both crochet dishrags, and love to use them... I personally look at the mess of yarn (Well, they're both really good at it, but they don't last) and HATE to use them. They don't work as well as the store bought alternatives. At least not to me!

Don't get me wrong, I love crocheted things, but for a dish cloth, na.

I saw someone suggest "hot pads", that could be a good idea!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I was given them and then taught how to knit them. I use them all the time in my house - we wash them in the laundry. I have made them for friends and colleagues, knit them and sold them at craft fairs (I do craft fairs with my Pampered Chef business and have a basket of the rags on my table).
I love them and when I haven't given the friends new dish rags the next year they are disappointed.

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