This post was originally created by me for Darice.
I love today’s free crochet pattern because it is quick, easy, and useful! Like, really useful. These pretty little crocheted hemp scrubbies are the perfect things for scrubbing up your dirty dishes and anything else that needs a good scrub.
I’m convinced that hemp is best material for making scrubby pads, and here’s why: hemp is naturally antibacterial. So cool, right? That means these scrubbies won’t be all stinky and gross. The other great thing about hemp cord is that it comes in lots of colors so you have lots of pretty options.
Materials (I have included affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Persia Lou!):
Step One – Crochet Two Textured Circles
Before we get started, a quick tip: hemp is a little rougher than the yarn you are probably used to working with. Wrapping a band aid around the index finger of my left hand (where the cord runs over as I crochet) made it much more comfortable.
Hemp Scrubbie Pattern (Make 2 for each scrubbie)
Special Stitch:
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) – The front post double crochet is worked just like a regular double crochet, but instead of working the stitch into the top of the stitch from the previous row, the stitch is made by inserting the hook around the post of the previous row’s stitch from front to back. (See image below.) This raises the stitch up above the rest of the stitches and that’s what gives this scrubbie its texture.
Round 1: Work 8 scs into a magic loop. Pull to tighten, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, 2 dcs in each st around. Sl st to beginning ch 2 to join (16 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), fpdc around same st, (dc, fpdc) in each st around. Sl st to beginning ch 2 to join (16 dc, 16 fpdc).
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, fpdc around next st, *2 dc in next st, fpdc around next st, repeat from * around. Sl st to beginning ch 2 to join (32 dc, 16 fpdc). Finish off. Weave in ends using yarn needle.
Step Two – Crochet Two Circles Together
When you have two circles completed, you will crochet them together to give you a nice, thick scrubbie with texture on both sides.
Hold the two circles together with right sides facing out (with the raised fpdc stitches face out), and use the colored hemp cord to work one single crochet stitch through each stitch around the outside of the circle.
When you get back to the start, sl st to the first sc to join.
Step Three: Crochet Shell Edge
To create a shell border, begin with ch 1 and sc in the same stitch. Next, skip one stitch, and work three dcs in the next stitch. Skip one stitch again, and work a sc in the next stitch. The first shell is made. Continue in this pattern (sc, skip one st, 3 dc, skip on st, sc) all the way around the circle. Slip stitch to the first sc, finish off, and weave in the ends using your the yarn needle.
And you are all done! I made a little set of three in pink, mint, and teal. The colored thread is a bit softer than the regular hemp, so you may even want to make an entire scrubbie using the colored cord if you find the regular hemp too rough.
A few of these guys stacked up and tied with a bow make a sweet little gift.
Heather @ The Deans List Blog says
These would make a great gift! I’ll have to try these out.
persialou says
Thanks, Heather! I’d love to see them if you do give them a try. 🙂
Diana says
Me too.
Alfreda says
These are cute! I don’t know anything about crocheting but learned something new in the hemp cord. Do you sell these? If not, I will try to find some. Them being a natural anti-bacterial is fantastic!
persialou says
Thank you! I do really like them. Unfortunately, I’m not selling them right now.
Knitgirl says
Love these. I need to get the hemp. Great colours too
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Lovely tutorial. Now to get practicing so I can make these.
persialou says
Thanks, Theresa!
Tina Thomas says
What stitch did you use to crochet the two sections together??
Thanks for the tutorial.
persialou says
Hi Tina! Just use a single crochet in each stitch all the way around. Good luck! 🙂
Kelly says
You are like the queen of crochet and I am sooo jealous 🙂
persialou says
Haha – Thanks, Kelly! You are sweet.
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says
I had no idea you could use these to clean and I LOVE that idea! I have yet to try out crocheting {it’s on my to-do list} but I would absolutely buy these if you ever end up selling them!
persialou says
Thanks, Katie! I will let you know if I do. 🙂
Eleanor says
I can’t wait to try these! Thank you for the pattern.
persialou says
You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Dawn says
Just bought the HEMP cord tonight… can’t wait to make them this weekend. Thanks for the pattern. Dawn, TN
persialou says
Oh yay! I hope you like it! 🙂
Tina S says
I’m so excited to try these!! Placed my order with Amazon for the hemp. I really want to compliment you on including the link for ordering. So many patterns don’t include that. Looking forward to receiving my hemp and trying these!!!
persialou says
Thanks so much for your comment, Tina! I hope you like the pattern! 🙂
Heidi says
can they be washed and used again?
persialou says
Yes!
Kristin says
HI! I am going to buy hemp today at Michaels(coupons lol) and I can’t wait to make these!! Thank you for sharing! How long do these last after you use them for scrubbing? How many uses can someone get out of them? I think it is a great idea and a great gift for someone. Thank you again for a quick project.
persialou says
Hi Kristin! I think how long they will last will depend a bit on how you use them, but they definitely can hold up to a many scrubbing sessions. They will get a bit softer and lose a bit of their “bite” as you work with them, but I think they would last about as long as other types of sponges and scrubbers. Hope you like them! And yay for coupons! 🙂
Jane Nix says
I would like to print the directions for the Hemp Scrubbies. Can you please send them so I can print them.
Thank you, Jane
persialou says
Hi Jane. I don’t currently have printable directions available, but if you copy and paste them into a word processing program, you can print them pretty easily.
Sharon Mundy says
I love the pattern for scrubbies, but where can I purchase the hemp thread?
Alexis says
Hi Sharon! You can find it online on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1MN5Eu3) or Consumer Crafts (http://shrsl.com/?~axmu) or you may also find it in the jewelry making section of your local craft store. Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine says
I found everything to makes these at Michael’s. Cannot wait to start making them. Thanks so much for the pattern!
Camille says
Are these too rough for using in the shower on my skin? I used to have an awesome loofah made sort of like this and this gave me an idea that maybe this could work?
Alexis says
I would say they might be a little rough at first, but they do get softer with use. Maybe start using them on your feet? I hope you like the pattern!
Beth says
I just saw this and would love to make it. Can these go through the washing machine?
Alexis says
Yep! I’ve had no problem with that. 🙂
Rachel says
Just lay out to dry?
Wash cold?
Ps. Thanks for the great idea!
Maria says
Ack! I knew these were possible! Thanks so much for trying it out and putting the pattern out for free. I will make them tonight, maybe sans colored thread.
Catherine says
I was wondering how I can subscribe to your site. I have looked all over and unable to find it. Help
Catherine
Eva says
Thank you for this very nice pattern!!! I almost finished my first piece!
Alexis says
Yay! Thank you so much!
Nichole says
This pattern is amazing and so easy. Thank you for sharing
Alexis says
You are welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Patricia says
These look gorgeous and I’m definitely going to be making some.
One question though: would this be safe on Teflon and other non-stick pans?
Alexis says
Hi Patricia! Thanks for stopping by! I can’t say for sure that they would be safe for non-stick pans. I personally would feel fine about using them on my pans, but others might feel differently about it. I will say that they soften up with a little bit of use, so maybe just don’t use brand new scrubbies on your coated pans. 🙂
Holly Magleby says
These scrubbies are so cute and fun. I will have to whip up a bunch. I love crocheting and this is one of many fun patterns I’ve found that I want to try.
Alexis says
I hope you love them! Thank you for stopping by!
Elizabeth Burley says
Thank you! I think this will be very useful. Also, I appreciate you including the links to finding the materials. I cannot wait to try this. It looks super easy!
Alexis says
You are so welcome! I hope you like them! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Makes my day! 🙂
Peg says
Hi, Alexis,
I made one of these for myself before making 3 as part of a gift. They seem to absorb a lot of water and take a l-o-n-g time to dry out. If they stay wet between uses, won’t they become just as smelly and gross as sponges? What has been your experience? Am I missing something? I’d like to pass along some advice to the gift recipient, but I don’t seem to have any at the moment.
Thanks,
Peg
Alexis says
Hi Peg! I haven’t had problems with them staying really wet after use, but then again, I do live in the desert, so maybe that is why. I’m sorry I’m not sure that I have any good advice other than setting them away from the sink or maybe on a windowsill so they get some sun to dry out?
Kate says
Peg,
Hemp naturally has great antimicrobial properties!
Julie hazel says
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. I absolutely love it and will be making these for Christmas gifts. you are a very talented girl and thanks again.
Alexis says
Thanks, Julie! They will make perfect Christmas gifts. 🙂
Alison says
Hi, I love this pattern! I made a set for my sister and am making a set for my mother. After I stitch the two “pads” together, in finding the scallops seem to want to pull up, kind of forming a cup, if you will. Do I need to loosen my stitching in those final 2 rows? Does this make any sense? Thank you for any insight!!!
Alexis says
Hi Alison! Yes, that totally makes sense. If your work is curling in, then you need to add in more stitches to help it lay flat. I would recommend adding in more single crochets in the first round of the colored edging. So, instead of working just one single crochet into each stitch, try working two single crochet stitches into every second or third stitch. So, it would be sc, 2 sc, sc, 2 sc, OR sc, sc, 2 sc, around. I would just try one and see how it goes. If the edging starts to ripple, then you know you have done too many stitches. I would work the scalloped round the same way, sc, skip one, 5 dc, skip one, sc. I think that should fix your problem. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions. 🙂
Ellen says
Thanks for the pattern. I like that it is made of the hemp but, as you say, it is rough and stiff to work with. I found that I liked working *sc, skip next sc, 5dc, skip next sc, sc in next sc* for the edging but it uses up all the thread doing it that way leaving you a bit short with the color. Overall I like the pattern and will make more. Thanks again.
Alexis says
Thanks so much for the feedback, Ellen!
Kirstie says
I found a link to this pattern on Ravelry. I had some hemp twine that needed a purpose,and this pattern fit the bill perfectly. The first one I made went to my sister at our (early) family Christmas, and she absolutely loved it! Quick and simple to make, at least once I picked up an ergonomic crochet hook. Thank you for the pattern!
Alexis says
Hi Kirstie! Yay! So glad you liked the pattern. Merry Christmas to you!
Liz s says
I made one of these and it did not hold its color. Also would never dry out and had some black spots on it after only one use. I was kind of disappointed since I had bought lots of hemp and was excited about the project.
Clovia Dickey says
I’m loving this idea. Since I’ve been working with Hemp as my chosen medium, this is a wonderful addition to my “craft house”.
I thank you and cannot wait for more ideas.
Katherine Erasmus says
Hi there,
how thick is this hemp cord?
Gina says
Is there a video of you doing this pattern instead of the photos and the worded instructions? I do not understand how to start it from nothing? I watched the video about the special stitch but i do not understand how the middle is circular? I bought the G hook and the hemp cord today at Michaels. I so desperately want to make these.
Gina says
Nevermind my previous comment, I have actually found videos on Youtube showing how to do a magic loop and then I looked up all the abbreviations in your pattern and watched videos about those stitches. I will make this scrubbie! Its my first ever crochet project. I am very excited to make this.
Maeve Medhurst says
hi, is this American or UK crochet stitches?
Alexis says
American. Sorry for any confusion!
Morgan Ure says
Hi, this pattern looks great. I really want to try it. I am just wondering how a ball of hemp cord that looks so small can weigh 20lb/9kg. Is it enough to make quite a few of the scrubbies?