Just a quick question - I have been wanting to make some washcloths, but all the patterns I see say that you should use cotton. Is there any particular reason for this? Thank you!!!
Basically, cotton is durable, absorbant, and (for the most part) cheap. You can machine wash and dry cotton, you can’t machine wash wool.
For washcloths, the most affordable, easiest to find cotton is Peaches and Cream or Sugar and Cream. You can even find it at Michaels, Joanns, and yes, Walmart.
Cotton also doesnt smell funky when it gets wet, like some wool does. It is also great for doing small doily or lace pattern in that can be used as washcloths.
And acrylic is basically plastic–not really absorbent.
I dunno. Have you ever soaked something acrylic? Talk about taking forever to dry out…
to combat the funky wet wool smell (it smells like a wet dog in summer – ick) you can soak it in some water and a bit of liquid fabric softener (scented). It really does help. 
You can also make washcloths out of linen or hemp - just about any plant material as they are absorbant. Linen and hemp will soften up after washing and drying too, and they are rot-resistant.
Acrylic holding water is probably as result of the fibers trapping the water, rather than the fibers absorbing the water.
Good tip about hemp…I hadn’t thought about that.
I dunno. Have you ever soaked something acrylic? Talk about taking forever to dry out…[/quote]
I think Carol got what I meant. When you pick up a wet piece of acrylic the water pours out. It’s as if the water is in there but it’s not really wet. :??
I dunno. Have you ever soaked something acrylic? Talk about taking forever to dry out…[/quote]
I think Carol got what I meant. When you pick up a wet piece of acrylic the water pours out. It’s as if the water is in there but it’s not really wet. :??[/quote]
…It’s just so freakin’ bizarre to think about a fiber doing that. :shock: It’s like an alien fiber or something. shudders
My favorite cotton yarn to use for washcloths is the baby cotton yarns - like Bernat. They make such soft washcloths.
Wow! Thanks for all the info! I wasn’t sure, but I thought it might have something to do with absorbancy. I have never done much with wool, although I am looking forward to it this winter.
Happy knitting!
Yeah. The cotton actually leaves the counter wiped, without puddles of water drops or streaky wet spots. It does absorb the best. Just finished the Ball Band washcloth from MasonDixon and used Sugar and Cream for the first time. I like it better than the Bernat Handicrafter to work with, but usually I use whatever is on sale!!! Have fun making the dishcloths! They are great portable in the car etc. projects. :XX: samm
Is there a difference between peaches and cream and sugar and cream? I used S&C but thought even after washing it was kind of stiff. I wanted to make face cloths for xmas gifts for the girls at the office, but I was less than pleased with S&C. I think it would be too scratchy for a “spa” cloth.
I’ve heard of using linen for face cloths. Also, the Bernat cotton baby yarn suggestion above sounds like a good one.