The inspiration for this project struck after reading in Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook that the FDA has banned the use of sponges from commercial kitchens. I designed the tawashi to mimic the feel of a sponge but without all of the ickiness that comes from traditional sponges. Wash them regularly in the washer to keep clean.
The pattern is easy, works up super quick, and is ideal for last minute gifts or simply brightening up the home. The pattern has a versatile design that lends well to either solid colors or a flower motif. The tawashi features a nubby texture with a hanging loop and optional hand strap. It is crocheted in two separate pieces, then joined together with a single crochet border. The front is worked in joined rounds while the back is worked in spiral rounds.
If you make this pattern and are on Instagram, please use the tag #cedarandlinn so I can see your work.
Download Pattern
To download a printable PDF version of this pattern, click the button below. This will take you to the Ravelry download page. No Ravelry account is required.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
Materials
- 30-35 yds Worsted weight cotton yarn, like Lily Sugar 'n Cream, Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, and/or Peaches & Creme
- US G/4.0 mm hook (or US H/5.0 mm if you find it difficult to complete stitches)
- Stitch marker
- Yarn Needle
Abbreviations [US]
- CH–Chain stitch
- SC–Single crochet
- INC–Increase by making 2 SC in one stitch
- SL ST–Slip stitch
- YO–Yarn over
- * *–Asterisks denote a section of stitches that must be repeated throughout the round, e.g. *SC, Cluster* means to make a SC and cluster stitch, then repeat these two stitches six times as per pattern, resulting in 12 total stitches.
- [ ]–Brackets indicate that stitches must be worked together in one stitch
Gauge
Gauge is not important
Special Stitches
The tawashi is mostly comprised of two stitches: single crochet and cluster stitches. The cluster stitch is worked as three incomplete double crochets with a final yarn over to pull them together. The cluster is more pronounced on the wrong side, making it necessary to turn after each round.
Scroll down to the end of this post for a video showing how the increase in the pattern is made with the cluster stitch if you're having trouble with it.
Cluster Stitch
Step 1: Begin with one loop on hook.
Step 2: YO. Insert hook through both loops of stitch, YO and draw loop through. (3 loops on hook)
Step 3: YO. In same stitch, insert hook, YO and draw loop through. (5 loops on hook)
Step 4: YO. In same stitch, insert hook, YO and draw loop through. (7 loops on hook).
Step 5: YO and draw through all 7 loops to complete one cluster stitch.
Tawashi Front Piece
The front of the tawashi is worked in joined rounds, turning after each join.
Begin with a magic loop, or other preferred method of starting in the round.
Round 1: Right side (RS). 6 SC in magic loop. Join with a SL ST. CH 1 and turn. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Wrong Side (WS). *[SC, Cluster in one stitch] *. Repeat 6x. Join with a SL ST. CH 1 and turn. (12 stitches)
Round 3: (RS) *SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. Join with a SL ST. CH 1 and turn. (18 stitches)
Round 4: (WS) *Cluster, SC, [Cluster, SC in one stitch]*. Repeat 6x. Join round with a SL ST. CH 1 and turn. (24 stitches)
Round 5: (RS) *3 SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. Join round with a SL ST. CH 1 and turn. (30 stitches)
Round 6: (WS) *(SC, Cluster) x2, [SC, Cluster in one stitch]*. Repeat 6x. Join round with a SL ST. (36 stitches)
Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
Tawashi Back Piece
The back of the tawashi is worked in spiral rounds, but can also be made with joined rounds, if preferred. To make it easier on yourself, crochet over the yarn end from the beginning as you work. Definitely use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds! Try to crochet loosely, or go up a hook size.
Start with a magic loop, or other preferred method of starting in the round.
Round 1: 6 SC in magic loop. Do not join or turn. Continue to work in a spiral. (6 stitches)
Round 2: *INC*. Repeat 6x. (12 stitches)
Round 3: *1 SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. (18 stitches).
Round 4: *2 SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. (24 stitches).
Round 5: *3 SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. (30 stitches).
Round 6: *4 SC, INC*. Repeat 6x. (36 stitches).
SL ST in next stitch. Do not fasten off.
Joining the Two Sides
Before proceeding, make sure all loose ends are woven in. You won’t have a chance later! Both pieces have 36 stitches, so joining the two sides is a straight-forward process.
Step 1: With right sides facing out, line up the front and back pieces.
Step 2: SC through both pieces. Continue around edge of perimeter. (36 stitches).
Step 3: SL ST into the same stitch as last completed stitch from Step 2 (the 36th SC).
Step 4: CH 8 and SL ST into same stitch as the 1st SC of the round.
Step 5: Fasten off and weave in ends.
* Why is there a photo showing a green tawashi instead of a pink one? That’s because I added the SL ST in Step 3 after I had taken the original photographs.
Optional Hand Strap
The directions make the strap sounds tons more complicated than it really is.
Step 1: With rear side facing and hanging loop pointing up, begin counting 9 stitches from the 36th SC of the step above, down along the right side of the tawashi. Attach new yarn on the 9th SC from loop.
Step 2: CH 12 (or however many chains needed to fit around your hand) and SL ST into 9th SC from the top of the opposite side.
Step 3: SL ST into the next stitch to the left of the SL ST just completed (10th SC from top along the left side of tawashi).
Step 4: CH 12 (or however many chains needed to fit around your hand) and SL ST into stitch on the right of where you fastened on for the strap (10th SC from the top and right side of tawashi).
Step 5: Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
Optional Flower Design
This tawashi pattern was originally designed to be a solid color. I was in the process of designing several flower tawashi before the inspiration to make a flower-free version hit me. However, after making a couple of solid pink scrubbers, I found myself grabbing several differently colored skeins. I now had a sunflower. Below you'll find the colors I used for each flower, along with the color change rows.
Sunflower
Rounds 1-2: Sugar 'n Cream Warm Brown
Round 3: Peaches & Creme Tea Rose [Discontinued]
Rounds 4-6: Peaches & Creme Gold [Discontinued]
Tawashi back, hanging loop & strap: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Hot Green
Pink Chrysanthemum
Rounds 1-2: Peaches & Creme Gold [Discontinued]
Round 3: Peaches & Creme Persimmon [Discontinued]
Rounds 4-6: Peaches & Creme Tea Rose [Discontinued]
Tawashi back, hanging loop & strap: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Hot Green
White Chrysanthemum
Rounds 1-2: Peaches & Creme Gold [Discontinued]
Round 3: Green
Rounds 4-6: Peaches & Creme Eggshell [Discontinued]
Tawashi back, hanging loop & strap: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Hot Green
Cluster Stitch Increases
I've had some questions on how exactly to make the increases with the cluster stitch. Watch the video below to see how it's made.
Copyright Notice
All content and images are the intellectual property of Cedar&Linn. Permission is granted to print out an unlimited number of copies, but those copies may not be sold for profit. Do not host the written pattern on any website, except where authorized. Instead, link to the pattern on Ravelry and/or my blog (if applicable). This pattern may be used to create items for gifts, charity, or profit.
Update 2/6/2021: Pattern was previously published as Tawashi Scrubber. The pattern was changed to Flower Tawashi to avoid being redundant.
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Hi there!
I’m a bit confused on your pattern. For the tawashi front piece: In Round 2, how am I supposed to do both a single crochet *and* a cluster stitch within the same one stitch from Round 1?
Hi! I just added a video showing how the increases are made with the cluster stitch. You can find it near the bottom of this post. Hopefully it will make things a little more clear!