For earth day this week I decided to make a reusable alternative to the disposable Swiffer clothes.

The crochet part is beginner, but you do need to know how to sew elastic on with a sewing machine

The yarn I am using is Peaches & Cream Ombres & Prints in Freshley Pressed.

You will need:

H/5.00 mm hook

100% Cotton yarn

4 1/2 inch long pieces of 1/2 inch elastic (x 2)

Cord elastic

Sewing machine

Yarn needle

ch = chain      sc = single crochet

Mop Pattern:

Ch 70.

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each sc across, ch 1 & turn.

Row 2-21:  In back loops only, sc in each sc across, ch 1 & turn.

Row 22: In both loops, sc in each sc across. Do not fasten off, instead fold side over 2 1/2 inches  and *sc through both layers along edge. Fasten off. *

Repeat from * to * for the remaining edges.

To help prevent the cloth from shrinking when washed, block the fabric. There are two ways to do this:

Method 1: Wet blocking, to do this fill a baking pan ( a 9x 13 baking dish will work) with enough water  so that the cloth is completely submerged. Let sit for 30 minutes and then remove the item and squeeze the water out of the piece, lie flat to dry.

Method 2: Steam blocking: to do this, wet the item throughly with a spray bottle. Take a steam iron and holding it very close to the item (do not actually touch the iron to the item, it will ruin it) steam it for about 3 minutes.

Finishing:

Using a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, sew one piece of your half-inch elastic on to each side.

I also used corded elastic in addition to the half-inch elastic. To insert this, thread a yarn needle and weave the elastic in and out until you reach the end. Secure the ends with several back stitches on your sewing machine.

If you have made this, post it on the pattern’s Ravelry page so I can see it!

Feel free to comment!