Flower Dish Cloth

I thought this would be a great idea for many reasons. They would look very pretty in the kitchen and they are inexpensive as far as dish clothes goes. I think this is a great project to teach to my granddaughters. I will have to make a few as gifts.. my daughter is having twins and these will make nice baby wash clothes if made out of baby yarn! Maybe I will make some for a house warming gift.

     I made a couple of these, very pretty. However, I am looking for a different way of finishing them. It's a wash (dish) cloth and needs to stand up through use. I tried a slip stitch to come back up instead of cutting, but it did not lay right. I just think a lot of loose ends will cause it to unravel quicker. Any suggestions?

MATERIALS

•  Yarn: Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (Solids 70.9 g/2.5 oz, Ombres 56.7 g/2 oz)

VERSION 1:
Main Color (MC): (01628 Hot Orange) 1 ball
Contrast A: (00001 White) 1 ball

VERSION 2:
Main Color (MC): (00073 Sunshine) 1 ball
Contrast A: (02741 Playtime) 1 ball

VERSION 3:
Main Color (MC): (00073 Sunshine) 1 ball
Contrast A: (02743 Summer Splash) 1 ball

• Crochet hook: Size 5 mm (U.S. H/8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4 ins [10 cm].

Size: Approx 10 ins [25.5 cm] in diameter.

Instructions:

Note: Ch 2 does not count as hdc in 1st to 3rd rnds.
With MC, ch 4. Join with sl st to first ch to form a ring.
1st rnd: Ch 2. 10 hdc in ring. Join with sl st to first hdc.
2nd rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 20 hdc.
3rd rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 40 hdc.
4th rnd: Ch 2. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 2 hdc) in same sp as sl st. *Miss next 2 hdc. (2 hdc. Ch 1. 2 hdc) in next hdc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
5th rnd: Sl st in next st and ch-1 sp. Ch 2. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 2 hdc) in same ch-1 sp. *(2 hdc. Ch 1. 2 hdc) in next ch-1 sp – shell made. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
6th and 7th rnds: Sl st in next st and ch-1 sp. Ch 2. (2 hdc. Ch 1. 3 hdc) in same ch-1 sp. *(3 hdc. Ch 1. 3 hdc) in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join A with sl st to top of ch 2 at end of 7th rnd.
8th rnd: With A, ch 2. *8 dc in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in sp between 2 shells. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first dc.
9th rnd: Ch 1. *(1 sc in next dc. Ch 1) 8 times. (1 sc in sp between next 2 shells 1 row below. Ch 1) 4 times. 1 sc in same ch-1 sp as last sc. (Ch 1. 1 sc in sp between next 2 shells 1 row above) 4 times. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.