I found this shell stitch variation in a Victorian era women’s magazine. I love the way the shells gradually increase in size and have a slow spiraling effect. The original 1861 “Toilet Mat” was a small d’oyley that would have been used under a perfume bottle or similar small item on a lady’s dressing or ‘toilet’ table in her bedroom or boudoir. The original uses white “number 8” cotton thread, with the last 2 rounds worked in colours.

This Cloth pattern is really lovely to make as a gift if you include some locally handcrafted, high-quality and eco-friendly bars of soap. This is one of the cloth patterns I use to make “green” paper towel substitutes, because you can make them so they fit onto a countertop paper towel holder. They are very quick to work, and a set of them in either one colour or assorted colours makes a wonderful gift as well as being useful in your own home. You can make the cloth any size you like by working more or fewer rounds.

Use the cotton yarn and the hook you usually use to make cloths. Most of my cloths are Bernat Handicrafter cotton--it is readily available, inexpensive, and hard wearing for normal daily use. The set of 3 beige cloths is made with a recycled cotton yarn that I dyed with maple leaves. Sometimes I use a 5.5mm hook to get a slightly looser cloth, especially if I want softer washcloths rather than dishcloths.

The “Myadora Cowl” pattern is also available now, based on the same shell stitch.