For anyone who finds it a burden to print from the blog, just send me an email (emayfieldz at aol dot com) and put "pdf scrubber" in the subject line, and I'll send you a .pdf file within a day or so.
I hope you all enjoy making and using these. I will be submitting this to CrochetPatternCentral this week, also, for their free pattern directory.
Be sure to read the tips after the instructions, on the "care and feeding" of these items.
For anyone who doesn't feel like making their own, I have finished scrubbers in my Etsy shop.
EVIE'S BACK SCRUBBER (THICK, RIBBED) (C) 2011
by Evelyn Mayfield
You may sell whatever you make from this pattern, but you must give me credit for the design. You may NOT sell the pattern itself.
NOTES
Construction
This is made in 3 pieces, using two strands held together. The Scrubbing Surface is made first. Then the two rings are made. Then, the rings are attached, top and bottom.
Tucking/Hiding Ends and Joining Tails
Because of the heavy usage these will get, make sure you tuck in your ends securely. Some crocheters will choose to crochet over their ends; others like to tuck them in with a smaller hook, while still others prefer to leave a long enough tail so they can thread a yarn needle and tuck them in by stitching between the plies of the yarn. It's up to you, but make sure they will not come out easily the first time someone washes with your scrubber.
Supplies
Yarn Cotton Worsted, about 4 oz. (this is made holding two strands together; when using 2-2.5 oz. balls, you will have almost enough for two of these.)
Hook Boye "K"
Skill Level Advanced Beginner
Must know how to join a ring without twisting
Must know how to do "back loop only" stitches
Must know how to increase and decrease
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
sc (single crochet), sl (slip stitch), ch (chain), st (stitch), inc (increase), dec (decrease), blo (back loop only)
Gauge
3 sc = 1 inch
3 rows = 1 inch
Finished size
Scrubbing Surface 19"-20" long, 4" wide, without rings
Rings 3" before pulling
Instructions
Scrubbing Surface
NOTE: starting chains do not count as a stitch in this pattern.
Row 1 - Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea ch across; ch 1, turn (4 sc)
Row 2 - Inc in 1st st (2 sc in same st); sc in ea st across to include next to last st; inc in last st; ch 1, turn (6 sc)
Row 3 - Inc in 1st st (2 sc in same st); sc in ea st across to include next to last st; inc in last st; ch 1, turn (8 sc)
Row 4 - Inc in 1st st (2 sc in same st); sc in ea st across to include next to last st; inc in last st; ch 1, turn (10 sc)
Row 5 - Inc in 1st st (2 sc in same st); sc in ea st across to include next to last st; inc in last st; ch 1, turn (12 sc)
Rows 6 to 45 - In blo, sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (12 sc)
Row 46 - Working through both loops from here on, dec in 1st st (work 2 st together), sc across to 2nd to last st, dec over last 2 st, ch 1, turn (10 sc)
Row 47 - Dec in 1st st (work 2 st together), sc across to include 2nd to last st, dec over last 2 st, ch 1, turn (8 sc)
Row 48 -Dec in 1st st (work 2 st together), sc across to include 2nd to last st, dec over last 2 st, ch 1, turn (6 sc)
Row 49 - Dec in 1st st (work 2 st together), sc across to include 2nd to last st, dec over last 2 st, ch 1, turn (4 sc)
Row 50 - Sl across; fasten off, leaving enough of a tail to tuck in or crochet over when joining pieces
Rings (make 2)
Round 1 - Ch 20; sc in ea ch, join to first sc, creating a loop, ch 1 (do NOT turn)
Round 2 - Sc in ea st, join with sl
Joining Rings to Scrubbing Surface
(I used the "crochet the pieces together" method, but you might choose to join by sewing them with a yarn needle - either method works as well)
Join one strand of yarn in any stitch in ring. Holding both the scrubber surface piece and a ring together, sc through 4 stitches together. Fasten off, and tuck in ends.
Do this with the other end.
CAUTION
Be very careful to join the 2nd ring on the same side of the scrubber surface as the 1st ring, for a unified appearance.
Thank you to my testers: Micki, Cindy, and Debbie!
Care and Feeding of Hand Crocheted (Knitted) Back Scrubbers
I have been using mine for a while now, and have noticed some things about these items when made with cotton yarn. I'll share them here. I think I might even print these on a small card to enclose with any orders I get for them.
First, always make them a little shorter than you think they should be. When wet, and pulled diagonally across the back, they stretch. They will also become narrower when being used, so make them a tad wider than you think you need them to be. When they air dry, they remain a bit narrower and a bit longer until laundered.
Next, rinse them as thoroughly as possible after each use. This is easily done while still in the shower or tub. Then, air dry them. I hang my over the shower head. It's best to air dry with the body of the scrubber draped over something, rather than hang by the rings. This helps prevent further stretching.
Finally, toss them into the washer with your towels or other linens, at least once a week. This helps avoid any musty smell generated by un-rinsed or accumulated soap residue. When dried in the dryer, they do NOT shrink to any noticeable degree, and they snap back to their original size and shape.
These three tips will help you enjoy them so much more. Nothing feels better across the back than a well-textured cotton yarn back scrubber, IMHO, so taking care of it just makes sense.
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