Ballband Dishcloths ...in BULK Apparently

Well, I think I finally have a new favorite dishcloth pattern.  Don't worry, I still love the grandmother's favorite dishcloth pattern, but recently I have been obsessed with the Ballband Dishcloth.

 This picture shows ten of the finished dishcloths, but there are a few missing that were gifted before I could take pictures of them.

We just purchased our first home, and so I'm excited to use all new dishcloths in our new kitchen.  I love the bright colors of these and think it might even make the chore of dish washing a happy experience.

My favorite is the top dishcloth, that was made with leftover scraps. 

I used the slightly smaller version pattern for this. (Instructions found here.) I have made this pattern before (see here), and decided I didn’t want them as large as the original pattern, and not quite as small as the “slightly smaller version”.  So I did an in-between size and added 6 sts to the cast on for a total of 43 sts. Turned out perfect size! Love them, obviously, I can’t seem to stop making them.

And since I just can't help myself, I've also managed to make a few grandmother's favorite dishcloths to add to the pile.

Raverly Page
Pattern - Ballband Dishcloth
Modifications -Cast on 43 sts
Yarn - Various colors of Lily Cotton Sugar n' Creme
Needles - Size 7 US straights

Clover Tweed Dishcloth

Another new pattern.
Two colors.
Very happy with the end results.Are you sick of dishcloths yet? Maybe I should focus my attentions on the larger projects that have been on my WIP list forever.

Raverly Link
Pattern: Clover Tweed Dishcloth
Needles: Size 7
Yarn: Lily Sugar n Creme Cotton Yarn

Ballband Dishcloth

Finally, a dishcloth that is not knit in the Grandmother's Favorite pattern. Are you surprised? I've been wanting to make this pattern for a long time and finally got around to it. It is so simple and really fun (I think I'm beginning to enjoy knitting with two colors). I will definitely be making a few more of these, when I'm not busy working on other projects.I slipped the last two stitches to create this really nice looking edges. I actually made a slightly smaller version than what the pattern states. I followed a pattern found on Raverly (here), but if you are not on Raverly, than this is what I did.

Cast on 37 stitches with Color A (when asked to slip stitch, do so purlwise).

RS Row 1: (Color A) Knit until two stitches left, S2 with yarn in back

WS Row 2: (Color A) P until last two stitches, S2 with yarn in front


Row 3: (Color B) K6, slip 1, =K5, slip 1= continue between = across to last 6 stitches, K4, S2 with yarn in back 

Row 4: (Color B) P2, K4, YF, slip 1, YB, =K5, YF slip 1, YB=, continue between = across to last 6 stitches, K4, S2, with yarn in front


Row 5: (Color B) K2, P4, YB, slip 1, YF, =P5, YB, slip 1, YF= continue between = across to last 6 stitches, P4, S2 with yarn in back

Row 6: (Color B) Repeat Row 4


Row 7: (Color A) Knit across to last 2 stitches, S2 with yarn in back

Row 8: (Color A) Purl across to last 2 stitches, S2 with yarn in front


Row 9: (Color B) K3, Slip 1, =K5, Slip 1=, continue between = across to 3 stitches left, K1, S2 with yarn in back

Row 10: (Color B) P2, K1, YF, Slip 1, YB, =K5, YF, Slip 1, YB= continue between = across to 3 stitchs left, K1, S2 with yarn in front


Row 11: (Color B) K2, P1, YB, Slip 1, YF, =P5, YB, Slip 1, YF= Continue between = across to 3 stitches left, P1, S2 with yarn in back

Row 12: (Color B) Repeat Row 10
Repeat these twelve rows until desired length is reached finishing with rows 1 and 2.

Raverly Link
Pattern: Ballband Dishcloth
Yarn: Peaches n' Creme
Needles: Size 7

White Dishcloths!

Lots and lots of white dishcloths, per a request! I have been busy making dishcloths out of white, white and more white. After I made the first one out of my favorite pattern, I realized that the white yarn really needed a more interesting pattern. So I whipped up the following patterns.

Flying GeeseBasket Weave - I don't have a pattern for this one, but I cast on 35, did five rows of seed stitch, then I started the pattern by doing k1, p1,k1,p1,k1, k5, p5,k5,p5,k5, k1, p1,k1,p1,k1. And then do the opposite for the next row. (knit first five sts in seed stitch, the p5,k5,p5,k5,p5, last 5 sts in seed stitch). I did six rows before switching the stitches, thus making the basket weave pattern. I think it turned out a little too small, maybe next time I'd do 6 or 7 sts per square instead.

I found this pattern, which is very similar with the exception of the border and # of sts. You get the idea though.Waffle Knit - Another absolute favorite pattern of mine.
Bark Sedge - a simple pattern repeated (row 2) as such:

Chain 33.
Row 1: Skip 2 chains (counts as single crochet), work 2 double crochet in next chain, *skip 2 chains, work
(single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next chain; repeat from * to last 3 chains, skip 2 chains, single crochet
in last chain – 10 (single crochet, 2 double crochet) pattern repeats.
Row 2: Chain 1 (counts as single crochet), turn, 2 double crochet in first single crochet, *skip 2 double
crochet, (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next single crochet; repeat from * across, single crochet in
turning chain.

I finished this one off with a simple HDC border. This pattern is actually very similar to the pattern I used on the placemats I made. I actually had a few other "new to me" patterns that I was going to try, but never got around to it. Maybe sometime in the near future.

After all those white dishcloths, I decided to knit a couple for my kitchen. Because, we all know, I'm addicted to this pattern!

Flying Geese Dishcloths

I decided to switch it up a little in the knit dishcloths area and branched out and tried a new pattern. And guess what, I actually liked it! Let's hope the recipients do as well.

This pattern is called "flying geese", which is based on a quilt pattern! The flying geese quilt block was used during times of slavery. The block was used as "a signal to follow the direction of the flying geese as they migrated north in the spring. Most slaves escaped during the spring; along the way, the flying geese could be used as a guide to find water, food and places to rest. The quilt maker had flexibility with this pattern as it could be used in any quilt. It could also be used as a compass where several patterns are used together." Pretty cool, hunh? If you would like to learn more about other quilt blocks and the symbols behind them, check out this website.

I used Peaches & Creme cotton yarn (love that stuff!) in pink and white colors, knit on size 7 needles.

Pattern can be found here for free.

Raverly link.

Ask... and Ye Shall Receive.

In this case, you must ask... and then be super super patient. My sister randomly mentioned to me that she was in desperate need of some homemade dishcloths and needed to go to the store to get some yarn."Hold up! I'll make you some! Seriously, I'd love to make some for you!"

This conversation took place during my all-I-want-to-do-is-knit-this-dishcloth-pattern stage. You know... like this time, and this time, and this time. Oh and there was this time when I went crazy. It is an obsession. Slowly it has started to find it's place mixed in with other projects and is slowing becoming a slight obsession, on the verge of becoming normal.

So as I began to knit other things and start to experiment with new knitting ideas and techniques, the dishcloth extravaganza got set aside. As did my promise to make some for my sister. Bless her for her massive amounts of patience. She waited and waited, and then waited some more. Today, they finally arrived.I was able to make her eight dishcloths, seven of the grandmothers favorite pattern, and one in the waffle knit pattern. I'm guessing you can tell which is my favorite.

I also included two mini-dishcloths for my niece. She has this cute pink play kitchen that she just adores. I figured she could use a few dishcloths as well. For these, I increased until there were 25 stitches and then started the decreases. They turned out adorable and she apparently loves them. When she realized they were for her, they stopped everything, and had to go wash dishes. How cute is that?
Chardell, I'm so sorry that it took me forever to get these to you. It is a good thing you have a big supply of patience. You must have been blessed with a little extra since you were bound to be my sister. Love ya!

PS- Sophie would like you to know that she helped in the photographing of all these dishcloths. She had to get in one picture somehow and figured her white paws could add a little something special to this otherwise boring photo of a bunch of dishcloths.

2009 Finished Projects

I can't believe that it is already 2010! It seems like just yesterday I was counting my finished projects for the year. I definitely do not have as many finished projects that were completed in 2009 as were completed in 2008, but I am pretty proud of the ones that I did get finished. It was a crazy year. Lots of things happened (several good things and several bad things), and I must admit that I am excited for a new year! I hope this year will be fantastic! One for the books!

And hopefully filled with lots of completed projects! Happy New Year!

One Down...

I finished one project for the Joy in the New Year Challenge. Yes, I realize that I started with the simplest one (it really only took me 20 minutes to finish) but it is done and that is one more thing off my UFO list! And it frees up the knitting needles so that I can start another one, only after I finish all these other UFO's first, of course.Yipee! One down, 8 more to go.

A New Favorite Pattern (or a close second)

I think I might just have a new favorite dishcloth pattern. Or maybe just a second favorite. I got the pattern for free here and I must say I LOVE it! Super fast, fun, simple, and so very cute. I just love all the ridges -- super scrubby!It was nice to have a break from the grandmother's favorite dishcloths pattern that I make, but I couldn't resist making a few more, I just love that pattern.
*I think there was a total of twelve in this batch.

Still An Obsession...

but at least I'm mixing it up with the color changes!

It Must be an Addiction...

Because I honestly do not know what it is about this pattern, but I can't stop making these! I really do love them. I don't know why, but I just do. That is the only answer I have. So until I get sick of them, I am going to continue to make dishcloths out of this pattern. I have used up most of my cotton yarn stash (which was quite big thanks to a few donations) to make these. I figure if I can use of the remaining five skeins that I have, that gives me a great excuse to go buy more! Which really means, a great excuse to keep making these!

Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth

One of the things (of the many) that really motivated me to finally learn to knit was this particular dishcloth pattern called Grandmother’s Favorite.  We received one of these for our wedding, hand knit by a friend, and it was my favorite!  That was until it was sliced with a knife and had to be tossed out (I won’t name any names, but it was tragic).

So naturally, this was the first dishcloth I wanted to make after I learned some knitting skills.  Well, I think I was a little too ambitious because I have not been able to stop making this pattern.  I just love it! 

This picture doesn’t include the two that I sent to Dustin (which by the way, he promptly gave away to the new neighbors so now I need to make more for our kitchen!)  That means I have made 7 of this pattern, with one more currently on the needles, in just over 2 weeks.  I’m not a super fast knitter so one of these takes me about two hours to complete.

I have figured out that I can get two washcloths from one skein of sugar and creme cotton yarn.  So, I have been making one of the grandmothers favorite and one of a different pattern…you know, just to mix it up a little.  

The basket-weave dishcloth has also been fun to knit.  I followed a pattern that my friend Jen wrote up for me, but here is one online that is similar.  And I learned how to do a seed stitch from this pattern which is a bonus! 

Isn’t that seed stitch just gorgeous!?  I love it!  (I love a lot of things it seems.)

The other pattern that I have been making is a slip stitch pattern called Darrell Waltrip.  I can’t seem to get this pattern to load online, so if you are interested, let me know and I’ll email it to you. 

Since my craft stuff is still packed in boxes and waiting to be moved to North Carolina, I have been feeding my craft hunger with dishcloths and I’m loving it.  Of course, I can’t wait to have my craft room put back together and start sewing and scrapbooking again.  Hopefully that will be soon. 

I Did It! I Finally Did It!

I finally learned how to knit!

Thanks to my friends Jen and Rebekah for all their help and advice. And thanks to this website.

I was really inspired by all of the knitting Rebekah was posting this past week that I just sat down and tried to knit again.

This was on my goal list for 2009 and I guess this was my year because it just clicked and I finally got the hang of it. I have been working on this all week, and this is how far I am. I didn’t say I was fast at it, but hopefully I’ll get faster the more I practice.

Do you ever have those moments when the light bulb just clicks on and you finally just “get it”? That is what happened and I have been so excited ever since.

I started simple with a garter stitch dish cloth. I didn’t have a pattern but I just casted on enough stitches until I thought it looked about the right size. Dish cloths are the perfect practice project. No ones cares if they look perfect because they are just going to be used for cleaning.

I even tried to do a few purl stitches. Can you see them there in the photo? Well, hello little Purl Stitches! Aren’t they just the happiest purl stitches you have ever seen? So happy to be different amongst all these knit stitches.

I’m happy for them. They make me happy.

Now I just need to learn to bind off.

Next I’m thinking of a scarf or a hat. Any suggestions for an easy beginner pattern?

Oh and Happy Birthday to my adorable niece, Anna. She is 2 and cute as can be! (I have a full post of her birthday celebration with us on our family blog)

Relay For Life

My aunt is participating in the Relay for Life in her town. Her team is trying to raise money for this good cause. They are doing a raffle on a bunch of homemade items. All of these items are for the home ~ like sheets, kitchen towels, pillows, rugs, wall hangings, etc. She asked if I could make something to donate to this. So I made her some linen kitchen towels and some crocheted dish cloths.

The relay for life is an organization that is associated with the cancer society. “Relay for life is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at the local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to raise funds and have a representative on that track at all time during this overnight event.” (Taken from Relay for life Pamphlet)

To find out more, visit their website here.

My aunt is still in need of donations for the raffle prize. If anyone has any “handmade items for the home” that they would like to donate, please contact me. I know she would be grateful for any further donations… and it is for a great cause.

They will be doing the raffle drawing in February sometime. So any donations before that time would be great. If you would like to know more information about where you can get tickets for the raffle, I’ll find out for you.

Handmade Christmas Gifts

I only had time to make a few Christmas presents this year.  I wish I could have done more, but I guess there is always next year.  Cutting your finger off doesn’t really help in the process of getting Christmas presents done on time. 

I was able to make some dish cloths and hand towels for my sister and Dustin’s cousin.  I really like the way they turned out and hope that they like them.

 

All of the fabric I bought at Joann's.  I ended up purchasing enough of the red polka dot fabric to make some of these for me.  I just love this fabric so much.  And I also bought more of the waffle weave muslin.  I just love this fabric.  It works so well for washing dishes.

I didn’t have enough time to stitch all the binding down by hand, so I just did it by machine.  It definitively does not look as nice, but I think it might hold up a little better in the washer. 

 

More Dish Cloths

I warned you! It is just another kick that I’m on. I’m sure I’ll be done in a couple months. Until then, I am just making sets of two dish cloths that match and keeping them on hand for whenever I need a quick gift.

I did the same patterns as the yellow ones I made for a house warming gift. These patterns are just simple, easy, relaxing, and fast. Maybe that is why I love them.

This is a simple shell stitch. I got this pattern from the Crochet Stitch Bible. Love this book!

This pattern is just a simple alternating rows of DC and SC. It goes really fast. Then I just did a border on it in SC.