We cleanse ourselves; we perform our ablutions; we purify and detoxify. In short, we take bathing to spiritual heights. For such a journey, shouldn’t we equip ourselves properly? These scrubbers should do the trick, imbued, as they are, with the devotion inherent in the handmade.

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

This lovely little Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt set isn’t designed for your three-minute-slap-on-the-soap-and-rinse shower. No…These beauties are for your no-one-is-home-no-place-to-go soak.

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

These bathing accessories are made possible by the wild creativity and impeccable touch of Habu Textiles. Their incredible Cork Chenille is constructed around a thin cotton strand bedecked by little flags of cotton ribbon. Knit up in simple garter stitch, the texture is gently exfoliating, thick, lush and deeply satisfying.

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

With a few little balls of Cork Chenille and a set of needles, you’ve got the perfect, no-sweat project for summer’s traveling and lollygagging. And when you’re done, take a a nice, long bath! -Whitney

UPDATE: NOW IN HOME LIFE

MAY 2023

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

These adorable (and practical) little Scrubbing Mitts are now in our 100% cotton Home Life! Made of cotton thread with little cotton tabs spun into its core, Home Life knits into a loose shaggy fabric, but if you throw it into the washer and dryer, it shrinks and softens into a wonderfully fluffy finished object… dense and plush and perfect for sudsing!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoWashclothesAndScrubbingMitt. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

Washcloth

  • 1 skein of Habu Textile’s Cork Chenille, 100% cotton. Each skein is 99 yards/ 28 grams; approximately 50 yards required. I made one washcloth with the color Bleached White and one with Off White.
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) straight or circular needles

Scrubbing Mitt

  • 1 skein of Habu Textile’s Cork Chenille, 100% cotton. Each skein is 99 yards/ 28 grams; approximately 70 yards required. I used the color Charcoal.
  • A set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles

NOTE: Each washcloth and the scrubbing mitt use a bit more than half a ball of Cork Chenille. However, like most yarn companies, Habu’s yardage (and weight) is somewhat approximate, so there may be instances when you can eek out two 7¾ x 7¾ inch washcloths with one ball. To be on the safe side you may consider casting on 40-43 stitches instead of 46. Or, another option, knit up the washcloths and scrubbing mitt as written and then use the remainders to make some striped or colorblocked variations!

Gauge

22½ stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch

Sizes

Washcloth: 7¾ x 7¾ inches
Scrubbing Mitt: 7¾ inches in circumference and 7¾ inches in length

Patterns

Washcloth

Cast on 46 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Knit every row until the piece is a square.

Bind off loosely in knit stitch.

Weave in the ends and you’re done!

Scrubbing Mitt

Cast 46 stitches onto three double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: Purl.

Round 2: Knit.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge, ending with a purl round.

Shape Top

Set-up Round: K1, ssk, k17, k2tog, place marker, k2, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, k2tog, k1. [42 stitches]

Round 1: Purl.

Round 2: K1, ssk, knit to 2 stitches before marker, k2tog, k2, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, k2tog, k1. [4 stitches decreased]

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 three more times. [26 stitches]

Next Round: P1, p2tog, purl to 2 stitches before marker, p2tog tbl, p2, p2tog, purl to 3 stitches before end of round, p2tog tbl, p1. [4 stitches decreased]

Next Round: Repeat Round 2. [4 stitches decreased]

Repeat last 2 rounds one more time. [10 stitches]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and sew it through the remaining stitches. Gently pull the tip of the mitt closed, then bring the tail to the inside of the mitt and weave in the end. Weave in the cast on tail too, and you’re done!

Washcloths and Scrubbing Mitt | Purl Soho

Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!