Apricot Shell Soap Wrap Free Crochet Pattern
Apricot Shell Soap Wrap – Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This sweet little soap wrap is the perfect quick project for anyone who loves a tidy, pretty sink area. It is beginner-friendly, using only single crochet, chain, slip stitch, and double crochet, so even your very first project can look polished. The soft peach and apricot stripes give it a warm, pastel look, and the shell-stitch border adds a delicate scalloped finish. It feels gentle and slightly textured in the hand, holds a standard bar of soap snugly, and makes a lovely little gift for a bath lover.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn, approximately 50 yards total: 30 yards peach (Color A) and 20 yards apricot (Color B).
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook.
- Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional).
- Finished size: 4.5 inches wide x 5.5 inches tall (11.5 cm x 14 cm) before folding; fits a standard bar of soap.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- sk – skip: miss the next stitch without working into it.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
- rep – repeat.
Gauge
20 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check your gauge, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet stitches relaxed and even so the wrap stays flat and the soap fits comfortably.
- Change colors at the end of the last stitch of a row, leaving a short tail to weave in later.
- When working the shell border, adjust the spacing slightly at the corners so the shells lie flat and do not curl.
- Use a yarn needle to sew the side seams neatly; a whipstitch or simple running stitch works well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Main Rectangle
Worked flat in rows. Use Color A unless the row says to change to B.
Setup: With A, ch 23.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (22 sc).
Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to B.
Rows 7-11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to A.
Rows 12-16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to B.
Rows 17-21: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to A.
Rows 22-26: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to B.
Rows 27-31: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Change to A.
Rows 32-36: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (22 sc). Fasten off.
Shell Border
With right side facing, join B with a sl st in any corner.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire rectangle, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sl st in next sc; rep from * around, adjusting at corners to keep shells flat; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Tie Cords (make 2)
With B, leave a 6-inch tail, ch 30. Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold the rectangle in half widthwise so it measures about 4.5 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall. Using Color A and a yarn needle, sew the two side seams closed, leaving the top edge open. Weave in all ends securely. Thread one cord through the top front edge about 0.5 inch from each side, and thread the other cord through the top back edge in the same manner. Tie the cords in a bow to secure the soap. If desired, lightly steam or block the finished wrap to help the shell border lie flat.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Try a solid-color version for a minimalist look, or use up scrap cotton in narrow stripes.
- Add a small hanging loop at one top corner so the wrap can dry on a hook.
- Make a matching washcloth in the same shell-stitch border for a sweet bath set.
