Spread Kindness Soap Sack Pattern

Making to give

By this point, many of you know that I have a huge passion for making things to give to other people, whether those people are friends and family or to those in need. We are in Week #5 of the Section-A-Long I am hosting for Warm Up America (WUA). I decided to take a short break from section making when inspiration struck for a pattern idea for soap sacks. What are soap sacks you ask? They are basically wash cloths made in such a way that they become carriers for soap! They provide an all in one way to get clean and can be really fun.

While they can be made and used by anyone, they have become a handmade item collected for those in need as well. The lovely people over at S.A.C.K (Supporting a Community with Kindness) have led an effort to get these soap sacks distributed all over the country. S.A.C.K recently partnered with WUA to collect even more and I must say the response from the WUA Makers group has been inspiring.

So whether you are making to donate or to give to someone you know that just needs a little pampering, I hope you find my pattern for the Spread Kindness Soap Sack to be helpful!

Spread Kindness Soap Sack

We will make a soap sack from 100% cotton yarn (cotton blends also work) that has a finished size of approximately 4" by 6" (as requested by S.A.C.K). There are two options for the overall soap sack, with two finishing options. Both patterns have a more mesh design that allows for the soap to dry more quickly after use.

Materials: 

• Approximately 25 grams of cotton (or cotton blend yarn)
• 6mm Crochet Hook (or hook needed to meet gauge)
• Or you can use any hook you like and make to the correct finished size!
• Scissors and Tapestry Needle 

Stitch Abbreviations:

• ch: chain
• HDC: half double crochet
• FHDC; foundation half double crochet
• SC: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch

Notes and Gauge:

• The turning chain does not count as a stitch, but the chains of 2 at the beginning of rows does count as a chain space.
• Gauge (measured from finished object): 
• 5 rows by approx 6.5-7 stitches per 2 inch square

Left: Option #1, Right: Option #2 (Both with Loop)

Option #1: The Less Mesh-y Option

•  Row 1: 26 FHDC
• Row 2: Ch 2, skip first stitch, *HDC in next stitch, ch 1,* repeat across until one stitch remains. HDC in last stitch
• Row 3: Ch 1, HDC in each stitch and chain space across. 
• Note that the chain 2 from the previous row counts as a chain space. 
• Row 4: Ch 1, HDC in each stitch across.
• Row 5-13 : Repeat Rows 2-4 three times
• Row 14: Repeat Row 2
• Row 15: Repeat Row 3
• Fold rectangle in half (hamburger style) so that the sack measures approx. 4" by 6"
• If choosing the loop option: Ch 12 and slip stitch to the other side (the one you just folded over)
• Seaming (for either finishing option): SC down the side and across the bottom. There should be one stitch per row down the side and one stitch in each chain on the bottom.
• Finish off and weave in the ends. 
• See notes below for how to add the drawstring if desired.
• Flip the sack right side out, so the seam is now on the inside 

Option #2: The More Mesh-y Option

•  Row 1: 26 FHDC
• Row 2: Ch 2, skip first stitch, *HDC in next stitch, ch 1,* repeat across until one stitch remains. HDC in last stitch
• Row 3: Ch 1, HDC in each stitch and chain space across. 
• Note that the chain 2 from the previous row counts as a chain space.
• Row 4-15: Repeat Rows 2-3 6 times
• Fold rectangle in half (hamburger style) so that the sack measures approx. 4" by 6"
• If choosing the loop option: Ch 12 and slip stitch to the other side (the one you just folded over)
• Seaming (for either finishing option): SC down the side and across the bottom. There should be one stitch per row down the side and one stitch in each chain on the bottom.
• Finish off and weave in the ends. 
• See notes below for how to add the drawstring if desired.
• Flip the sack right side out, so the seam is now on the inside 

This is what you should have BEFORE you flip it right side out.

Drawstring Option: 

While I prefer making the soap sacks with a loop, I wanted to provide notes on adding a drawstring instead. Please include one of these on your soap sack if you plan on donating, as it makes the final piece more functional.

• Chain 30-35 to make a cord about 9 or 10 inches.
• Weave the drawstring in and out of the last half double and chain space row (Row 14) 
• Tie the string together. I like to use the tails from the chain to tie the cord together so leave yourself with a decent tail.    
• There is also the option to use those tails to tack down the drawstring. On mine I tied everything together at the seam and tacked the drawstring down there.