Thursday 19 February 2015

baby shower prizes

My brother and SiL are having their baby shower at the end of next month - and I'm co-organizing it with SiL's sister. As the prizes for the games, I've volunteered to knit some dishcloths, making one in blue and one white for each prize. These are the ones I've made:

I've completed 8 of each colour all together (despite that there are two of each in the picture) - the picture shows the front and back of each cloth.

It's a basic stitch pattern for each, and are all knit on 4.25mm needles. The finished cloth each measures approx 7.75" square.

For the white cloth: it's a basic farrow rib pattern, commonly used for scarves. I casted on 40 stitches; row 1 is knit 1, purl 1 rib to the end; row 2 is knit across. Bound off in pattern after row 2 at desired length.

For the blue cloth: a basic brick stitch pattern that's a bit more involved. I casted on 39 sts. All odd rows (starting with row 1) is knit. Rows 2 & 4: (k3, p1) to last 3 stitches, k3. Rows 6 & 8: k1, (p1, k3) to last 2 sts, p1, k1. Bound off in pattern after row 4 or 8 (in my case, after row 4) at desired length.

Yarn used: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in white; Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Nauticals in nautical blue.

Saturday 14 February 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's no surprise that I knit up a heart dishcloth for today! An interesting pattern that incorporates just a hint of lace along with seed stitch, garter stitch, and stockinette stitch parts in the pattern - two can easily be made from one skein of Lily Sugar'n Cream with a bit left over.

I've already made 2 (using Lily Sugar'n Cream in Country Red) and I've enough left over to make 2 more. A cute gift for Valentine's for anyone who loves to cook or bake, I think!

Since I do most of my dishcloth gifting at Christmas, though, I'll be gifting these two (plus the two more I'll make at a later time) each to a different person along with some Christmas themed dishcloths. 

Wednesday 11 February 2015

swapping gifts!

I participated in a swap in the dishcloths r us group on ravelry last month. The exchange was for a postcard and a dishcloth, and if you wanted to, add treats too. I sent my partner one of my circle cloths (the one with the pink variegated yarn) along with some stitch markers and other little knitting tools. Today, I received her envelope: these two crocheted dishcloths and some Valentine's candies. 
Needless to say, the candies are already consumed, and I'll be putting these dishcloths to good use very soon!

I love this sort of swap - I'm part of a few each year on ravelry, but one like this where everything fits in an envelope is easy, affordable on postage, and a fun treat. :) I will likely participate in a few more from this group soon!

Friday 6 February 2015

as it turns out...

I was boiling eggs the other day, and as I was rinsing them under cold water when they were done, I discovered I forgot a plate to put them on so they could dry off a bit before peeling them.

As it turns out, circle cloths are not only extra-sturdy dishcloths, but are also very functional at keeping eggs in place, while they're drying from being boiled. In case you're looking for an extra purpose for them. :)

Sunday 1 February 2015

charitable dishcloths

Dishcloths are a great gift for pretty much anyone with a kitchen - and every home, no matter how small, has one. 

Regardless of your cooking or baking skills, we all spend varying amounts of time preparing food in our homes, and our kitchens inevitably need cleaning. Needless to say, dishcloths come in handy for this reason.

In my many years of knitting & crocheting, I've found myself with extra yarn, and extra time with no one in particular to knit for. This is when knitting for charity comes to play; there are a surprising number of charities that collect knitted & crocheted items for those in need. The biggest demand, in my experience, has been for items made of wool, like sweaters, mittens, and hats - which go to people living in cold climates with limited resources.

It got me thinking, if there was a need for dishcloths. A dishcloth isn't going to protect you from the elements, but there are people in need who rely on food banks when they can't afford groceries. 

This past week, I did a bit of research of food banks around where I live. The ones in my own city (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) provide 7-10 days worth of food. Some neighboring cities & towns that either DH or I frequent because of family or work, those food banks provide 3 days' or up to a weeks' worth of food as well. These food banks not only provide food, but other household items as well, like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. That being said, it doesn't hurt to ask if I could provide knitted dishcloths. A few emails have been sent.

I got a very good positive response already from a few food banks that I've contacted, so I proposed the idea in the charity knitting group on ravelry last week. Positive response, which motivated me to start a dishcloth charity group. It'll be a work in progress for a while, with a few KAL's and CAL's on the go already, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get some help in creating a few bundles of dishcloths to donate. I've tentatively made a deadline for the end of May, 4 months away, so we'll see how many bundles I can have made by then!