Friday, November 16, 2012

Needles and thread

Been busy today.

Well, actually it started last night, after my hubby left for college class.  I got the kitchen all cleaned up, made sure the kids had their showers taken and pj's on and settled in their room playing.  I took my own shower, got into my own comfy pj's and then headed to the living room.

My idea was to just have a cup of hot tea and watch some TV, but then I suddenly got this yearning for Knitting.  I know, I know.

I'm such a huge crochet lover that I don't get to knit as often as I would like and I don't know why but I felt like I really wanted to sit with my needles and yarn/thread and work away at a project that didn't require focus or attention or counting rows or stitches in any way.

So dishcloths it was.  I made one last night and another this morning and I'm about to finish another.  I'm on a roll and I can say that I have missed knitting immensely.

The click clicking of the needles is extremely therapeutic for me.

I'm currently working on Christmas gifts and who doesn't like receiving homemade goodies right?  Especially knitted dishcloths.

But before I show you those, here's a few pics from my day.....

Early breakfast for this mama, toast, butter and some Bonne Mamam Wild Blueberry Preserves, along with a hot cup of warm cinnamon sugar cookie flavored coffee. Yum!
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Butter making, had some heavy cream that was close to the expiration date and of course there's nothing better than homemade butter
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And then it was time to play with those things that make me so happy.
November 16

For these I'm using Sugar n' Cream 100% cotton. I feel they hold up better than other yarns. Don't get me wrong though, I have a lot of dishcloths made from all sorts of leftover yarn I have laying around and I love all of them, I've figured out which are best for different cleaning jobs.



I'm using a simple dishcloth pattern, there's nothing to it. It's not my pattern and I think it's the most used one for the basic dishcloth. Been making it for so many years that it's ingrained in my mind.

Cast on 4 stitches.

Row 1: Knit across.

Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit to the end of the row.

Repeat row 2 until there are 40 stitches.

Start decreasing on next row....knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.

Continue until you have 4 stitches left. Bind off.

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So the first 2 are done and folded, sprayed with lavender linen water which smells amazing and tied with a ribbon.

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The next ones I'm making are actually my favorite dishcloths, and you know why????

Well, because I use crochet thread instead of cotton. I just knit using double strands and it turns out amazing, much sturdier than all the other dishcloths and the rougher thread is great for scrubbing dishes.

November 16

Give it a try.

As always, switching the size of the needles will yield different results. For this one I'm actually using size 4mm needles which give me a smaller dishcloth. The first time I made it I wasn't sure I would like the smaller cloth, but I've actually grown to like it, even more than the normal bigger sized dishcloths I have.

November 16

Just follow the same pattern as above but using two threads at a time. :)

Let me know if you try it.

I'm thinking with the amount of dishcloths I'm knitting up, I may do a little giveaway of 2 or 3 on the blog, would that be something you ladies would enjoy?

Do you knit or crochet your own dishcloths?



19 comments:

The ITS Lady said...

Sandra,
Love reading your blog everyday! I would love to have one of your creations in my kitchen. You are such an inspiration!
Erica in Texas

Anonymous said...

I crochet dish cloths....in fact I just finished 4 dish clothes using the same yarn that you used in the top pictures. I've attempted knitting a number of times, my fingers just can't do it. And I forget how to do it every time.....Bekah likes to knit, and the other kids like to loom knit, but I prefer crochet :) And I LOVE my crochet dishcloths, and my preference for wash cloths and dish cloths is the Lily SUgar and Cream also....I've tried a few other cotton yarns, and it is by far my favorite.

Unknown said...

Love the dish cloths. I actually just made my sister some wash cloths for her face, I made balls for the boys so they can have fort wars in the play room (instead of dirty socks, gross) and I'm starting a scarf. They are all crochet of course I haven't learned how to knit yet. My favorite are the balls. I used camo thread. I guess I'm on a kick too :-) Enjoy!

Debby said...

How simple but sweet!!! They will make perfect Christmas gifts, who wouldn't want one under their tree or 3 or 4 or more!!!

Conny said...

My Oma only ever bought Bonne Maman preserves and marmalade!!! :) I see at Big Lots once in a while - and always buy it too!!!!

I don't knit or crochet, but I'd love to win some wash cloths ... I have a few from friends and love them!

nisilynne said...

Love reading your blog. I love crocheting dish clothes. My family really look forward to getting new ones at Christmas. But they will let me know if they need some sooner! I think that they would make a great giveaway!
Have a great day!
Denise

Unknown said...

Awww, looks great! I usually lurk on your blog everyday! One of my fav blogs! I've never had a knitted dish towel...so I'd love one from my fellow blogger!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Dishcloths are a great idea for Christmas and I love your pattern! Will have to try it :)

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I've enjoyed creating dishcloths using that pattern too. Your thread is oh so lovely and I like the idea of using crocheting thread too.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

FlowerLady

donna www.merryheartcrafts.com said...

Thanks for sharing this idea. I crochet dishcloths all the time using the sugar and creme 100% cotton yarn. I have never thought of making them using the smaller crochet thread double stranded. I will definitely be giving it a try. Now I am excited with something new to try. Thanks again and God bless.

Unknown said...

I want to learn to knit but I'm really uncoordinated, so I'm kinda afraid to try. Are there any resources for,earning that you'd recommend?

Thanks and love your blog!
Miranda

Naomi said...

It's so funny I can read crochet patterns without thinking about it but your simple knitting pattern may aswell have been in Japanese for me! I really want to learn to knit but can't seem to find the time!

I think a little dishcloth give away is a great idea by the way. Although I'm probably out of area I'm sure your more local readers would love to be a winner :)

Naomi xx

Christine said...

I can't knit or crochet, but I've gotten several crocheted dishcloths as gifts from a family friend. They are so pretty. I honestly don't really know how to use them, though.

CaityClaire said...

Dishcloths - great idea! I can only crochet- just finishing off a baby blanket today then might have to make some dishcloths. Never thought of doing that, thanks for the inspiration!

Jenna Smith said...

I think that would be a fun giveaway! Count me in as a future participant. :) I would love to learn how to knit or crochet.

Liz said...

That's an awesome give away idea. I love knitting. That's where my yarn love first came from. I haven't made dish clothes in years, but I just told my husband that I need to go out and buy new ones. Maybe that's something I'll have to sit down and do one evening. Who knows...
Sounds like you had a nice evening.

Mahek said...

I love reading your blog everyday my daily dose of inspiration
Do you use dish cloth everyday?
I do not knit or crochet but your dish cloth looks good enough to want me to learn
Would love to see the completed one..

Mahek said...

I love reading your blog everyday my daily dose of inspiration
Do you use dish cloth everyday?
I do not knit or crochet but your dish cloth looks good enough to want me to learn
Would love to see the completed one..

Amy said...

I have cotton yarn (and other yarns) running out of my ears! I have made a lot of crochet dish/wash cloths, in the summer, I started knitting some, using raised patterns. I like this pattern and love the idea of using 2 strands of the thinner crochet cotton. Gotta try it!