Crochet Makeup Remover Pads Free Pattern
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Make your own crochet makeup remover pads, with this handy free pattern.
I’m really excited to share with you this free pattern for these fantastic crochet makeup remover pads, created for Moral Fibres readers by Lyndsey Haskell.
Here Lyndsey shares how to green your daily beauty routine with these simple and eco-friendly washable alternatives to disposable cotton wool pads.
Please note, that these are UK crochet stitches. If you are reading along from a different part of the world, then I would recommend familiarising yourself with UK crochet stitches and hook sizes first.
Do also note that as the pattern has been provided by Lyndsey, I am unable to answer any of your questions related to crochet.
Take it away Lyndsey!
I’m constantly on the lookout for ways of reducing my carbon footprint, one of the main aims being to reduce the number of things I buy and throw away.
One daily annoyance is throwing away the cotton pads that I use to remove my makeup. They come in a non-recyclable plastic packet that really irks me. Another point of annoyance is that they may have been factory-made and then air-freighted halfway around the world.
I decided to make some reusable cotton pads that I could just put in the wash when they’ve been used. Read on to find out how I did it! I’ve also got a printer-friendly version of these instructions at the bottom of this post. Keep scrolling for that!
How To Make Crochet Makeup Remover Pads
To make your reusable cotton wool pads you will need a UK size 4 crochet hook.
If you are outside of the UK then please note UK crochet hook sizes are different from international sizes. A UK size 4 corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook.
You will also need some cotton yarn of your choice.
My favourite is Rowan Revive which comes in some lovely colours, or you can use up whatever wool is in your stash. You will need around 8 metres of yarn.
Instructions
To make these crochet makeup remover pads then try the following pattern that I’ve devised
Ch4, then join with a sl st to the first stitch.
Row 1: Ch 1, *puff st (yo, insert hook into stitch, pull the strand through, do the same 4 more times then pull your yarn through all 11 loops on the hook, close the puff with a chain), ch 1*, repeat * 7 more times then join with a sl st to the top of the first puff stitch and move with a sl st into the gap between the first & second puff. 8 puff st.
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 puff st into the first gap, then 2 puff st into each gap all the way around. Note that you don’t chain between the stitches as you did on the first row. Once you have 16 puff st, join with a sl st to the first puff stitch. 16 puff st.
Sew in the ends and there you have your finished crochet makeup remover pad. Make a bundle of them and store them in your bathroom ready to use at bedtime!
Enjoy.
How To Use Your Completed Pads
Using reusable makeup remover pads is incredibly similar to using disposable cotton wool rounds.
To use simply saturate your crochet makeup remover pad with your regular makeup remover, and then gently wipe your face using the pad. Depending on how much makeup you were wearing, you made need to use more than one pad to remove all traces of makeup.
Once you’re done, pop your pads in a bag or a jar ready for wash day.
How To Wash Your Crochet Makeup Remover Pads
Now that you’ve made your reusable makeup pads, you might be wondering how to wash them. The good news is that they don’t require any special care. I’d recommend popping them in your washing machine, along with your other laundry, and washing them on your standard wash cycle using your regular laundry detergent. It’s that easy.
If you’ve crocheted your pads using light-coloured wool, wash them in a light-coloured load. And vice versa, if you used dark-coloured wool, wash them in with your darks, to avoid any laundry mishaps!
My top tip is to either buy a mesh bag or repurpose something similar to wash them in. This helps stop them from going inside the seal in your washing machine and getting a bit dirty, or getting lost inside your clothes!
My other top tip is to avoid the use of a standard fabric conditioner. Using this can negatively affect the absorbency and performance of your makeup remover pads. White vinegar makes for a great effective natural fabric conditioner that won’t affect your pads.
To dry, avoid the tumble dryer. Instead, hang them up to air dry.
Alternatively, you can hand wash your reusable makeup pads. Simply wash them in warm water with a little laundry detergent or some gentle soap, before wringing them out and hanging them up to dry.
See my full guide on how to wash reusable makeup remover pads for more top tips – including how to stop stains from setting.
Other Eco-Friendly Makeup Ideas
Thanks so much, Lyndsey for this fantastic reusable cotton wool pads crochet pattern! I’m desperate to learn how to crochet so that I can give these seriously useful pads a go.
If you are looking for other ways to green your beauty routine do check out my health and beauty category for more inspiration! I have a host of eco-friendly makeup-related posts, such as this handy guide to zero-waste makeup, and my really easy natural makeup brush cleaner recipe. I’m working on my own eco-friendly makeup remover, so do also watch this space!
Need a printer-friendly version of the crochet pattern? I’ve made one below for you so that you can print it out and get crocheting!
Crochet Makeup Remover Pads – Free Pattern
Equipment
- 1 Pair of scissors optional
Ingredients
- 1 piece UK size 4 crochet hook A UK size 4 corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook.
- 8 metres Cotton yarn of your choice. My favourite is Rowan Revive, but you can also use whatever wool you have in your stash.
Instructions
- Ch4, then join with a sl st to the first stitch.
- Row 1: Ch 1, *puff st (yo, insert hook into stitch, pull the strand through, do the same 4 more times then pull your yarn through all 11 loops on the hook, close the puff with a chain), ch 1*, repeat * 7 more times then join with a sl st to the top of the first puff stitch and move with a sl st into the gap between the first & second puff. 8 puff st.
- Row 2: Ch 1, 2 puff st into the first gap, then 2 puff st into each gap all the way around. Note that you don’t chain between the stitches as you did on the first row. Once you have 16 puff st, join with a sl st to the first puff stitch. 16 puff st.
- Finally, sew in the ends and you're done.
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Thanks for the idea, with minor tweaks to your pattern I made 6 from a 50g ball ;) thanks for sharing x
So what does this have to do with wool?
I’m afraid I’m not too sure what you mean Terry. Cotton wool is a soft mass of cotton, used especially for applying liquids or creams to your skin, and removing makeup. They are designed to be thrown away after each use. The disposable ones aren’t made of wool, despite the name, but the reusable ones are. Hope this helps.
My friend made these for me and they are a game changer!! Thank you for sharing!
Hello! Love this pattern, they’re so cute!!! Just wanted to ask, is it okay to make and sell these cotton pads?
Thanks!
Wow, I finally have an answer to my ethical eye-cleaning routine! I just gave up a while ago as I hated to keep throwing cotton wipes in the bin. Great just to soothe and cleanse your eyes with, even if you don’t wear make-up. Just wish I had come up with this!
Thanks Ashleigh – my pleasure!
Hi, my neice has just asked me to makesome of the reusable Cotton Wool Pads but I cannot find how to download/print itr to be able to use it, can you hwlp plese
Hi Wendy, the instructions are all in the post. You could copy and paste the text on to a Word document, and print it off like that if you would prefer to have it on paper.
Hi, these look great – I like the puffy bits as that innovation should make them softer and more absorbent. Can I use mercerised cotton? I have some left over.
Can you make us a video? I have spent weeks trying to make these but all I get is a mess.
I emailed this link to my Mum a month ago and forgot about it. Yesterday it was my birthday and I opened my present from my Mum to find she had made me a set of 10 of these in a white cotton drawstring bag so I can put them into the washing machine in it! How cool! Thanks for inspiring such a fab gift!!
Aww, that is so lovely to hear and so thoughtful of your mum! And happy happy birthday! ;)
Thank you for the pattern. However, a) I don’t crochet. b) i have looked at reusable pads that can be washed afterwards. Great in theory. However, I use 3 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I do a wash probably once or twice a week. Therefore I would have to buy an awfully large number of reusable pads and they are not cheap. Do you have any advice on what I can use to be more environmentally friendly?
Hi Natalia, I’m a fan of face cloths (or flannels). I use a fresh one in the morning – and then rinse and re-use it in the evening. It then goes in the washing pile until the next load of laundry goes on. You can even store them in a wet bag if it’s going to be a while until you have a full load.
Bonjour,
J’ai réalisé des disques à démaquiller en tissu : une face en nid d’abeille, l’autre en éponge. J’avais essayé au crochet mais le résultat me semble pas aussi bien que la tienne. Je vais donc essayer de faire les tiennes. Merci beaucoup pour ce tuto. En fait, j’aime faire des cadeaux utiles à mes amies, ces disques sont parfaits.
Marie
Awesome pattern and lovely thought, we tried to make some with basic designs a year back but after washing the makeup sort of left colour on them :(
Wendy, Thanks for the pattern! This is what I looking for. I just made it.
If you don’t mind, may I translate it into Korean and post it on my personal blog? I’d like to introduce the way can reduce waste.
Hi Youna, my pleasure! And yes, of course, as long as you link back to the original post!
Hi,
About the cotton : Does it matter which cotton you use or is it fine to use every cotton?
It’s because I have a shitload of cotton here and it would be perfect if I can use it for this because I already want reusable cotton pads!
Thanks for the pattern <3
Love,
Esmee
Any cotton that you have to hand is fine! Happy making!
Hi Wendy! Thanks for the pattern. How do you wash these once used? Do they wash clean in the washing machine or must they be hand washed?
Thanks,
Hi Carol, they can be washed in the washing machine. Maybe get a little mesh bag (something like this: for the washing machine otherwise you might lose them!
Wendy, Thank you for sharing your pattern! I decided last night when I scratched my eyelid with a store bought pad, I’m done with them. The quality is so inconsistent!
Our pleasure Louise! Hope you enjoy making and using the pads!
Hi Wendy,
I am trying to make those diy cotton wool pads, but I just can’t figure it out.
Would it be possible for you to send some more pictures of the different steps in between the pictures on this website? I managed to do step one which you can see on the first picture, but from there I am stuck.
Please help me out.
I would love to see a youtube tutorial version of this! My crochet knowkedge is very minimal especially when it comes to the crochet jargon :)
Love this pattern! However am a little confused on the size of hook; did you mean a 4.00 mm hook? And would equal an “f” hook?
Hi Kayla, you must be outside of the UK. UK sizes are different to international sizes – UK size 4 corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook. This is a really useful conversion chart – http://www.crochet-knit.com/crochet/hook-chart.html Hope that helps!
I’m in the uk and would always pick a hook by the Mm. most of my hooks only have that measurement on
Over the last couple of weeks I have linked to this post a few times in a Danish facebook group for crocheting. I guess more and more Danes are now interested in making their own cotton pads:)
Thanks Connie! Good to have the Danish contingent crocheting! :)
I love this simple project. It will go beautifully with my DIY natural beauty routine
Hi there,
I would like to add this project to Ravelry with a link to Moral Fibres for the pattern so that even more people can enjoy this! Would that be ok with you and could I use your cover photo as the pattern photo?
Thanks for your comment Renee, glad you’ve enjoyed the project! I’ve sent an email to ask Lyndsey from What You Sow about this, as she created the pattern and took the photos. I’ll get back to you when I hear back :)
Thanks for replying so quickly and for getting in touch with Lindsey on my behalf. Look forward to hearing from you a bit later on :)
Hi Renee, I’ve checked with Lyndsey and that’s fine! We just ask that you please give Lyndsey Haskell credit for the pattern and the photos – (http://whatyousowblog.tumblr.com/post/47616543222/crochet-cotton-pads#.UZDT3LXa_sY). If you could link back here too that would be great. Hope Ravelry readers enjoy the project!
That’s brilliant Renee – looks great! Thanks for sharing!
That’s brilliant Renee – looks great! Thanks for sharing!
I’m nearly 5 years late to the party, but anyway… Here it says to use a UK size 4/ 6mm/ J hook) but on Ravelry it says 4mm/G.
That is great – thanks! I have uploaded the pattern on Ravelry with links to What You Sow and also Moral Fibres and of course all credit to Lyndsey. It has already been favourited 19 times :) Have a look here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diy-reusable-cotton-wool-pads
Best wishes, Renée
These are very cute but I prefer to make eye/spectacle wipes by cutting up cotton undies. Not sexy but it saves using virgin materials and diverts waste from landfill/incinerators.
These pads aren’t for cleaning spectacles but for removing eye make-up, and applying cleanser/toner. Don’t think I’d fancy using old undies for that, but it’s a good idea for spectacles :)
Now this is a great idea – and wouldn’t it be perfect to make as little gifts for people too. I think I’m going to start making some of these tonight.
Oh you should! And let me know how you get on!
And yes, they’d make perfect little gifts – perhaps given in a little bag or glass jar.
Please, could you translate into french? Thank you