GET ON THE TAWASHI TRAIN

Recently in an eco- group that I'm in on Facebook there was a thread about dish scrubbies, the ones that are made from yarn and are either knitted or crocheted, can be washed in the washing machine and contain no plastic. In Japan they're called 'tawashi' and have been a thing since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, it seems that with the march of progress, these traditional daily objects have been temporarily forgotten....and you know how I feel about forgotten things.

Not long ago, I saw them for sale for a reasonable price  at a local yarn shop, run by an aging 'obachan', but it's mainly the older generation who still make and use them in their daily lives. Recently though it does seem that they are having a minor comeback as I found a great book in my local craft shop all about handmade tawashi.

The Biku brand is all about sustainability and slow-living, and I guess that's something you guys are into too.  So I put together a quick tutorial of how to make a very basic tawashi so you can have a go at home. I'll also be doing a little Tawashi Giveaway soon, so make sure to sign up to my newsletter to hear all about it.

Maru Tawashi Tutorial

Level: Intermediate beginner
What you need:
A crochet hook- not too large, not too small! We are aiming to reduce our consumption so use what you have, or borrow one!
Some yarn- anything will do (recycled from an old sweater is even better for the environment)
Scissors
A darning needle
Stitches:
Chain
Slip stitch
Double crochet

Disclaimer:
I'm not a professional crocheter, I just crochet for fun and for life! I'll leave the more challenging projects to people like the super-talented (and infinitely patient) Vicky from Ice Flower Crochet.

1. Make a slip knot on your hook.

2. Chain 4.

3. Slip stitch through the first chain to make a ring.

4. Chain 2 (this will be your first double crochet)

5. Make 11 double crochet into the ring.
Slip stitch into the top of your first double crochet to join the circle.

6. Chain 2.
Make 2 double crochets in the next hole and all holes around until you reach the last hole where you will do a single double crochet.
Join as in 5.

7. Chain 2.
Make 2 double crochets in the next hole.
Make 1 double crochet in the next hole and continue in this 1-2-1-2-1-2...pattern all the way around.

8. Join the circle as in 5.
Chain 10.
Join the chain into the circle with a slip stitch to make a loop.

9. Cut the yarn and sew in the ends with the darning needle.

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