This is a departure from my usual posts but after sharing the fruits of my labour on Twitter and Instagram, I got so many requests for the pattern that I had to share it.
After taking stock of the waste I create, I’ve been trimming down on single use products wherever possible. Given that I was using – and therefore binning – two cotton pads a day when I applied my toner, it made sense to come up with a reusable alternative, so I set to work with my crochet hook. The result is handmade cotton pads that are super soft and, more importantly, completely reusable. Just pop them in a mesh bag and stick them in with your usual white or light colour wash.
To make them you will need:
– 100% cotton yarn
– 6mm hook
– Scissors or snips
– Yarn needle
Abbreviations:
YO – Yarn over
Ch – Chain
Sl st – Slip stitch
PS – Puff stitch
The Puff Stitch
Before we get started with the pattern, you need to know how to create a puff stitch as this is what makes those lovely flower petal-like shapes that made the pads so soft and absorbent. Here’s what to do:
Yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, leaving plenty of slack. You’ll now have three loops on your hook. Then, yarn over into the same stitch and repeat the process three more times until you have nine loops on your hook. Yarn over one final time and pull through all nine loops. Ch1 to complete and secure the stitch.
The Pattern
Ch5 and sl st into the first ch to create a loop.
YO into the middle of the loop and create a PS. Ensure you leave plenty of slack as pictured otherwise you’ll struggle to pull your hook through all of the loops.
Repeat the PS seven more times, so you have 8 in total.
Ch1. Work two PS into the spaces between each of the first row PS, creating 16 in total. Secure with a sl st.
Snip the yarn, leaving a tail, and weave in the end with your yarn needle.
And it’s as easy as that. Light, fluffy, earth-friendly cotton pads that you can use over and over.
Click here to subscribe to my mailing list and get fresh posts in your inbox every fortnight.
11 comments
Such a good post! I started using fabric a while back with some cleanser to get make up off because I realised how many make-up wipes I use :(!
I was the same! I couldn’t believe how many face wipes and cotton pads I must have been throwing away each year. Let me know if you give the pattern a go 🙂
Hello! I’ve been trying to do this but am finding it virtually impossible to get 8 puff stitches in the first row. Any tips?
Hi, so glad you’re giving them a go! If you’re struggling to fit them in, I’d suggest you start with a magic loop rather than chaining 5 and joining. That way you can keep the loop as big as you need and then tighten it once all 8 are done. They’re a little awkward to describe in words so if you’ve not done a ML before, YouTube is definitely the best way to learn. Keep me posted and let me know if you need any more help! x
What ply cotton yarn do you recommend?
I think I used a 4 ply cotton yarn to make them nice and chunky.
Thanks! I’ll report back.
Hi,
A question I can’t find addressed ANYWHERE: how do you find they go with product absorption- do they soak up more toner than disposable cotton pads?
I would like to make these but am concerned I’m going to be going through a lot more toner than I would use with regular old cotton pads… any thoughts ? 🙂
Good question! They are definitely absorbant however I don’t find myself using more toner than I used to!
Hello,
you really inspired me to make own reusable cotton pads. I will get back you know if I finish them 🙂 Thanks once again
So glad to hear it!