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I don’t crochet. I don’t even really know how to crochet.
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Debbie Bosworth
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
Rebekah Teal
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
Cathi Belcher
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
Mary Murray
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
Alexandra Wilson
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Nicole Christensen
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
You did great Dori with your first crochet efforts!! Your dishcloths turned out so pretty and bright. My first crocheted dishcloth pattern came from MaryJane’s Ideas book. Then, like you, I added some shell borders. Over at the Chatroom, I joined the monthly dishcloth swap for about two years. The, I got the idea from one of MJF magazines to have them made into an afghan. Last winter, I had someone, who can crochet way better than me, put them all together into an afghan. Now I have my Farmgirl dishcloth afghan to wrap around me any time I need a Farmgirl Hug. Crocheted or knitted dishcloths have so many uses!! I would love to toss my hat in the ring for the drawing of your dishcloths.
Another delightful blog post! If I’m chosen as a recipient for your dishcloths, please select another name – I taught myself to crochet forty-five years ago with the help of my left-handed mother-in-law, and have since taught two daughters and one granddaughter to crochet. One year I made seven afghans for relatives for Christmas but didn’t mail them out until the following May! Yarn is reason enough to learn to crochet. The colors and textures offer visual and tactile therapy when Life becomes muddled. Crochet pattern books are another good reason to learn to crochet. On top of a bookmarked mystery thriller on the nightstand is a good place for a stack of pattern books. Please don’t ask for suggestions on how to store accumulated yarn – I’m still working on that. Enjoy your new pastime. It won’t be long before you are teaching granddaughters to crochet!
Dori,
thanks for the post. I too grew up never knowing how to crochet, my mom on several occasions tried to teach me, but the directions would never make me understand how to. I can do a basic stitch now by learning on my own and have tried a wash cloth pattern (which did not turn out like I like them). I plan on taking your directions and try again. They are so pretty in bright colors.
Thanks for sharing
I do not crochet or knit or sew-I did not inherit the knack for such craftiness-that is why I cherish any gift I get that someone made from their own hands—–you did a beautiful job and I enjoyed that you taught yourself-keep up the good work-I do use crocheted dish cloths I have received and love the texture and thickness of them. I enjoy your other articles as well
I love these! I don’t have any crochet dish towels but would love to try them and I may try to learn how to make them too!!!! Thank you for sharing!
I sympathize, I also cannot sit still. I’m able to knit in the car, (while being the passenger, of course) but do counted cross stitch and crochet while porch sitting here in NJ
I love crocheted dishcloths. I’m so impressed that you taught yourself to crochet! Until she developed arthritis, my mother crocheted all sorts of wonderful items from sweaters to afghans. She was very talented. I enjoy all that she made but never picked up the needles myself. I might just try your pattern!
I love your never be still attitude. Unfortunately – or fortunately – I have the same problem and have tried repeatedly to make a decent dish cloth. I have bought Amish made cloths and tried to duplicate the stitches unsuccessfully….so thank you for sharing the pattern – I shall do my best. Thanks
Dori: I think it so awesome that you taught yourself crochet. Those dish cloths are beautiful and so practical. They make really great gifts too. Congrats farmgirl!
I have crocheted my own dishcloths before. I have also crocheted scrubbies out of onion bags! I have several projects for when I am “sitting,” including crochet and quilting. I cannot “sit” without having something to do. Even in front of football games…I need my hands to be busy!
Hi Dori – I love every thing you do! My grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl. I remember sitting with her and trying to crochet, and listening to her stories. Thank you for the memory. Wendy
How sweet of you! Congratulations on learning this wonderful skill. I don’t knit or crochet but I do embroider and create needlepoint and crewel work. My friends who knit trade with me and I have two bright yellow hot pads hanging on my kitchen wall (my kitchen is always filled with yellow because I like to start the day on a sunny note even in the darkness of a winter morning). I never thought of using a crocheted dishcloth but I would certainly like to try. Thank you!
Dori, I love the fact that you didn’t like the “plain old square” and added your own scalloped border. Lovely! I will be trying your pattern soon.
I have been making a really simple crocheted potholder for years that you might like to compliment your dishcloths. Here’s the link:
http://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/diagonal-hotpad
I usually use more than one color yarn to make it pop and I use Sugar ‘n Cream for them also. They wear like iron and wash up well. Hope you give them a try.
Bonnie
Wonderful!!!
I have been making dishcloths for years. They are the only ones I use. Even my girls took to making them & giving as gifts. My son in law won’t use it as a dishcloth as he says it’s too pretty. It sits on their buffet as a doilie.
I knit mine on the diagonal & I knit 2 then yarn over & knit the rest of the row which creates a decorative edge.
I keep a set of needles & yarn in my car so while traveling to church or anywhere I can do a few rows.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
Thank you so much for sharing. Looks like you’ve learned to crochet beautifully.
Congratulations on teaching yourself to crochet! I love the bright colors you chose for your dishcloths. I have crocheted several and love using them. The soft cotton cloths are also great to use in the shower.
I have not used them but I know a lot of people who do and love them. congrats on teaching yourself to crochet!! I used to a long time ago but haven’t not done so in years.
Thanks for the pattern. I make a lot of things for charities, and this will be a perfect size to accompany a bottle of dish soap.
I’m anxious to see if I can learn to make these! I love these dishcloths…I try to find them every year at the bazaar’s in my hometown. By the end of the year, I’ve worn them out! Thanks for sharing the pattern. I enjoy your blog!
The dishcloths you’ve made are very similar to some my Mom has made. They were some of her favorites, but, unfortunately, when we moved to New Mexico and moved in together, they were accidently given away! She now has neuropathy in her hands along with arthritis and is unable to crochet anymore. She has tried to teach me to crochet many times over the years but it just doesn’t stick! At any rate, they are quite pretty, and VERY functional. You’ve done a beautiful job. Thank you for the chance to win some!
I learned to crochet the basic stitch when I was about twelve but that is all. I put down my needle and got about being a teenager. When my son was born, I was determined to make him a blanket. I was overwhelmed! So I decided that a little sweater would work better. I made one but the stitches were so tight that he couldn’t wear it. By accident, it got into the laundry basket. When I pulled it out of the dryer, it was the size of a Barbie sweater. My daughter who came next, played with that sweater for years with her dolls. I never did another stitch that didn’t end in disaster. I would love them! Thanks!
OH! I LOVE home-made crocheted dishcloths…………..they are so nice. so glad you have decided to make your own. It’s so rewarding to learn to crochet, too.
Oh, bless you, Dori! I am encouraged by this post! My favorite dishcloth is a crocheted one my aunt made, but I have been wanting to learn to crochet and make some dishcloths myself, plus other things! We have to remember that just because our mother or grandmother didn’t teach us these things, we CAN learn for ourselves, and it’s never too late to learn! Thank you!
I love crocheted dish clothes, too, and have finally purchased some at a local craft show this summer. They are wonderful to use and look so cute folded over my kitchen faucet. I don’t crochet either but I may just give this a try – along with the many other projects I have waiting for me since I retired. I enjoy your column each month. Keep up the good work!
Ann
This is for me, maybe. Since my philosophy is much like yours I tried learning to knit at a craft group that met at my local library. The first project was a cotton dishcloth. Well either there were too many enthusiasts there or I’m not very dexterous. It was an horrible experience.
I really want a couple of cotton dishcloths. The relative who used to keep me supplied is no longer available. You may feel I should have asked her to teach me when she was available, but at the time I wanted her to feel a vital part of my life.
So I promise to get back to learning. This time I’ll try crochet.
Yay, dont you just love sitting and crocheting? I do. I can only do very limited things, as I cant really figure out how to read all patterns but I am getting better. haha. I make dishcloths for all of my family and friends, once you use these cotton dish rags, you never want anything else. Also, I make a double thick one with some little hands and legs (really just extra rows no shape to them haha) and I gave to my new grandbaby and he cut all his teeth on this and never had any trouble teething. You just throw in the wash everyday they hold up super great. And then I made smaller rags for baby wash cloths they were a huge hit, and then my neices liked them for makeup remover pads, so I made small round ones for them. Everyone loves them and always request more when I go home for a visit, so I do alot of crocheting while visiting. 🙂 thanks for sharing. Be Blessed. Neta 🙂
Hi, I just found your magazine within the last few months & joined your email. I enjoy reading your blog full of info. I’m an older lady & live in a fairly large city. I did start out living in the country. I crochet but not like I use to. My mother and I are left handed, so she taught me. It’s not fancy but nice. I think your dishcloths are pretty in design & color.
Your dish cloths are beautiful! Once I get my life on a simpler living mode I want to learn how to crochet these beautiful cloths. Please enter me in your gift drawing for these dish cloths.
Thank you!
Denise from Michigan
Hi Dori….I’m inspired that you are learning a new skill!! Maybe, just maybe, I can learn too!! As I come upon my retirement I’m looking for something new to try. I’m not a television watcher and I can only read so many books in a given week before my eyes glaze over :-). Keep inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone! Happy autumn!!
Wow. This is really neat. I have never thought about borders like that on a washcloth before. It probably adds some stability to your washcloth. I imagine that it doesn’t unravel or get stringy as easily with the borders on there. Great idea.
Those dishcloths are adorable. I would love to win them. Also, I am like you, even when I am relaxing I feel like I need to be doing something with my hands.
Your dishcloths are absolutely beautiful… I am going to try to make some with your pattern. I love the shell border edge, it makes them look so cute. I hope I win some of your bright, pretty dishcloths. Also I am glad you decided to take life slower and start making these. Your farmgirl sister, Christine
I have tried to knit and crochet several times. I am left-handed so I have a difficult time following patterns. You have inspired me to try again. You dish clothes look really pretty, so I am going to download your pattern and try again. Thanks.
Lovely giveaway. Thank You
Joan
I think these dish towels are so pretty. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Marion
Thank you for the lovely towels and the generous giveaway.
Marilyn
What a wonderful post, Dori. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and your pattern looks great. I am going to try my hand at them…thank you.
My Aunt Helen used to make these for me and I really miss them as they were so useful. I can totally relate to Rosetta’s attraction to them. When my girls were young, they loved it when Aunt Helen gave me a new set and used to use them for doll blankets and tea parties. A few of mine were always in the toy box, too!
Hi Dori,
My sister that has had a stroke and is paralyzed on one side uses the cotton crocheted dish cloth to roll up and squeeze into her clutched paralyzed hand. It wicks away all moisture, especially in the hot summer and it keeps the hand from getting sores etc. She also needs the smaller size for her hand and your nice edges makes them even more attractive. I love your choice of colors. You always do such a beautiful job on the tasks you attempt. Keep up the great work.
Hi Dori! I think I need to learn how to crochet these dishcloths, and since I knit only in squares and rectangles, they are right up my alley! I would love to win a dishcloth, but if I don’t I will learn how to make one! I love the colors you chose!
Hi Dori- love it ! I own our local quilt shop and am teaching a young woman who works in the barbar shop a few doors down to crochet. We did a baby afghan and this will be the best next project for us. Thanks so much ! ~~Kerrie
What lovely dish cloths!
I never was very good with a needle, but my bad wrists and hands have retired me from crocheting… Very pretty, though! (I will pass your beautiful pattern on to my niece). Thank you!
I love the dish cloth. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
I love your crocheted dish cloths. Beautiful colors and I would love one or two of my own. I don’t crochet and miss having homemade ones like I’ve had in the past. All the best to you as you enjoy some down time.
Sherri
These are beautiful! I love home crafted items. I have never tried crocheted dish cloths. It is inspiring that you taught this skill to yourself.
Dori, I really love your posts and I, too, am not a sitter, so I understand the need to make sitting time productive! I’m a recently retired teacher and one of my colleagues would buy yarn for her Mom, who has Alzheimer’s, and her Mom would knit dish clothes that were then donated to certain causes. This gave pleasure to many people as well as my friend and her Mom. Thank you for such constant inspiration and love of family!
Thank-you for the Dishcloth pattern! 🙂 I need to learn how to crochet! A skill that I’ve tried numerous times but I definitely need to try again! Your dishcloths are beautiful! Love the colors! 🙂
Great job! Last fall, I took a class at a local church called ‘Arm Knitting’. Nope! I don’t knit OR crochet…I got so confused and mixed up, I think that my eyes were really crossed by the time I left! I came home and watched a YouTube video and started and stopped it MANY times. TaaaaDaaaa! I know know how to make an eternity scarf. I am now collecting simple projects involving crochet! Who knows?!? I might even try to make a dish cloth 🙂
Thank you so much for your comments…I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and now I will. Never thought of crocheted dish towel, what a great idea. Thanks again!
Hi Dori, I am like you(were), I can’t crochet either. My sister is good at all that but I don’t seem to have that gift. I would love to win some of your dishcloths.
….an who knows…maybe I’ll check out YouTube and see if I can’t learn the craft too.
Just because I’m 60 doesn’t mean ALL the gray-matter is dead. Right?lol
Thanks for your encouragement Dori!
I have tried to make the crochet dishcloths and have not been successful. I have the yarn you recommend and an instruction book you described but they all are different sizes and shapes. I hope I can accomplish a dishcloth that is more in resempblence to yours.
Will let you know!!!!
Thanks…Anne