How often does one get the chance to invent a crochet stitch? For me, probably once in a lifetime: the Lotus Bud Stitch (Lbs), so named because its texture is reminiscent of a lotus bud. The variety of patterns in this spa set give you different ideas on how to work with this stitch, either in the round or in rows. The set consists of a face towel, a bath mitt, make-up remover pads and a tawashi scrubby sponge (which you could also make into kitchen scrubbies).

Gauge:
With 4mm hook: 6 st repeats (Lbs + sc) plus one sc by 14 rows is 10x10 cm / 4x4 inch.

Yarn:
A #4 medium yarn (Aran/ Worsted weight) cotton or cotton blend yarn in two colours. Approximately:
√ Bath Mitt: 60 m/65 yd of both colours.
√ Face towel: 120 m/130 yd of both colours.
√ Make-up remover pads: 6m/6 ½ yd of both colours for every pad.
√ Tawashi Scrubby Sponge: 20m/22yd of both colours for every Tawashi.

Recommended yarns for these patterns are KnitPicks Comfy Worsted or Shine Worsted, Made by Me XL Cotton, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Rowan Handknit Cotton, Phildar Phil Thalassa and Scheepjes Bloom. This list is by no means exhaustive, only meant to give some ideas. Many yarns lend themselves to make these patterns. Cotton is recommended because it absorbs water well.

Stitches:
Fsc – foundationless or foundation single crochet - (known by both names, optional)
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Sl st – slip stitch
Lbs – Lotus Bud Stitch (see special st)
Csc – Cross single crochet (see special st)

Sizes (after blocking):
√ Bath mitt: WxL: 15x20 cm / 6x8”
√ Face towel: WxL: 33x40 cm / 13x16”
√ Make-up remover pads: 8cm/3” diameter
√ Tawashi scrubby sponge: 10cm/4” diameter (50cm/20” strip)
All items are easily adjustable.

Pattern includes:
Four written patterns, bath mitt assembly photo tutorial, Right handed photo tutorial for tawashi, left handed photo tutorial for tawashi (with thanks to my fantastic tester Shirley An (saffie78 her on Ravelry), pattern notes and instructions to adjust pattern sizes.

Difficulty:
Advanced beginner/Intermediate. The new lotus bud stitch is not a complicated stitch. What makes the pattern intermediate level is working with colour changes throughout. If you are a beginner and you would like to try this stitch, you can easily make these patterns in one colour or change colours only at the end of a row/round. See the projects attached to this pattern for ideas.

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