The Trouble with Tribbles

The trouble with dishcloth knitting is the more you knit, the more scraps of yarn multiply in your ships hold. Very much like those Tribbles. In an effort prevent those pesky scraps from taking over my fair ship's hold, I came up with a cunning solution to diminishing the ever-growing mountain of scrap stash. When Tribbles are cleverly disguised as either pot scrubbers or perhaps a bath pouf when combined with shower gel, it becomes an easy task to entice someone else to take them off your hands:D 

The Tribble Pattern

Finished size: 4 inch circle.

Scraps of dishcloth cotton. A whopping 2/3rds of an ounce or 0.63 oz to be exact!

Needles: 2 US size 6 dpns or straights. You can use any needle size that you like.

Sewing needle and scissors.

Cast on 18 stitches. Make sure you have a six inch tail or longer.

Commence stitch pattern.

Row 1: KNIT

Row 2: K1, SSK, K13, K1F& B, K1

Repeat these two rows until piece measures about 10 inches long. End on Row 1. Cast off.

Break yarn -  about 10 inches long. Match up and sew the diagonal ends together.

Now sew up each side using a running stitch. (On one side use the tail that you seamed the two edges together. On the other - the cast on tail.)

When you have sewn both sides then pull the yarn really tight to close the circle.

Weave in ends and cut the yarn. Repeat the process on the other side.

See, I warned you - they multiply exceedingly fast!

Remember what our dear Captain Trek says, "Casting on for a dishcloth, or "Tribble" is no tribble at all!"

Note: If you don't have enough yarn to knit a total of 10 inches, go for about 8 inches in length. Or you could try knitting with a variety of scraps -  still aiming for about 10 inches. Weave in the tails before you sew up the side seams.

Cheers, Abigail

Comments

[musicmom]

what does ssk mean I think it means slip one then knit 1 and slip one over?

[BABI]

This pattern is terrific.........everyone will be getting these at Christmas.....thanks

[Knitting Bandit]

I'm casting on today, thank you. I think this is what my mother in law has been trying to describe to me and it'll make a great Mothers Day gift!

[Lynne]

I just found this pattern and love the idea! I am making my first one now, and wonder if the 10 inches is measured from point to point, or where?

[Shay]

This is a great idea! I *hate* how one ball of cotton dishcloth yarn only makes one and a half dishcloths :-(

[A.H.]

Thank you for the great pattern! I've experimented with it and found that 10 inches makes a pretty bumpy little tribble that doesn't much look like the cute ones in your pictures :(.. so I made another one and just knit for six inches and it worked so much better! Maybe I just knit to loose?
Thanks again!

[Emerald]

Thank you for an adorable project! It is fun, simple and as you and many have said, "addictive."

I have link this pattern to one of my blog enteries, I am sure you will have MORE traffic to your blog. : ) I look forward to visiting again and seeing more of your patterns. Great job and thanks again!
Emerald

[trultelene/leneh]

Thank you for the pattern, just had to try it, and you where right, you get addicted. LOL.. and yes, they do multiply rapidly... GREAT . :-)

[Linda]

Uschi: The K1F& B means to knit one in the front loop, then knit one it the back loop of the same stitch, so that you are increasing one stitch. It probably would look a little better like this: K1 F&B

[Rhonda]

I made my first tribble using red yarn. It could be acrylic, I'm not sure. It's a bit thicker than Sugar & Cream dishcloth cotton. I couldn't get a tight spiral on it when I pulled the tails. How do I send you a picture? Thanks for the patterns!

[Phyllis Johnson]

I loved the looks of this"Tribble" and immediatly made one---but I had a hard time finishing it. I did the 10 inches, stitched the 2 ends together, then the side seams -- but ALas it did not scrunch together into a round. Did I do the side stitches to close together? I did not overhand the stitches I went thru the sides, maybe too close. It is the only thing that I can think of. Any suggestions?? Please !!! Thanks in advance for your help.

Phyllis

[Uschi]

Hi Abigail,
ingenious idea and funny name - tribbles! I cant't wait to make one! The only trouble is: what means the abbreviation 'K1F& B'?
I'm German and not familiar with English abbreviations and couldn't find it in my register either.
Please enlighten me! ;-))
Thanks in advance.
Uschi

[knitting guy]

awesome pattern !!
cant wait to make it myself !!! :D

[Butterfly]

Hello ! I'm a knitter from France and I find your pattern so lovely.I would like to make one very soon...as soon as I can find cotton with beautiful colours !
In france, nobody knits dishclothes, but no doubt with this so lovely pattern plenty of people will do it in the future.
Thanks for sharing your pattern.

[PlainSimpleGarak]

That's awesome! Cool pattern, very useful... and a Star Trek reference... can it get any better?

[Jen Sirois]

This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!!

[Phyllis]

I added a longish crocheted chain loop for hanging. An I-cord would probably work just as well. Love this pattern !!!
Phyllis

[Eve]

I use my scraps to make multi-colored dish cloths from a basic pattern. The changes of color supply all the interest you need. I've gotta try this, though. I've been looking for a different kind of shower scrubby. Looks like this might just fit the bill.

[Tenna]

cute and clever--I'll make one for all my friends in my spin group.

How on earth did you ever come up with it?

[Patty]

Thanks this looks like a lot of fun and easy. It will go great with the dishtowel and cloth that I am making for a wedding preasent. your ingenous.

[Kathleen Pelley]

Thank you for the pattern. I am taking it to our next Knitting Guild Meeting

[Bashirs_momma]

GREAT idea! And really cute. YEAH! Thanks for sharing.

[June]

I just LOVE your tribbles! And would love to make some! Unfortunately I cannot master the 2 pointy stick thing but I do loom knit. I would like to convert this to the loom. You say in the pattern that the panel is to measure 10" in length. Could you please tell me what the width of the panel should be before closing up the edges!

thanx a million!

[minnie]

wave that geek flag, honey! i'm going to feature this on the daily chum!
www.limenviolet.com/blog.

woohoo!

[Hanane]

Love it thank you. Going to feature it on the Stash Bustin Blog www.buststashpatterns.blogspot.com