What's not to love about a handmade dishcloth?

Whether they are crocheted or knitted, handmade dish cloths are a joy to have in the house, apartment, dorm or work. People I know prefer these to the thin store bought type.

On the practical side, they are absorbent and quite useful for sopping up spills. The same thing that's true of sponges is true of cotton dish cloths: a damp one absorbs more than a dry one. That may seem counter intuitive, but it's true. Not to mention eco-friendly when compared against paper towels. Cotton cloths can be used in any room, from the kitchen to the bathroom – even in the garage.

Sure they’re pretty, but they are strong and durable too.

On the cute side, Handmade Dish Cloths are adorable when matched with serving pieces or when used as potholders or tea towels. Create a pretty display in the bathroom with matching soaps.

Uses for your handmade dish cloth:

• Wash/Bath Cloths - They scrub fairly well because of the texture, but are not scratchy or rough.
• Dish Cloths - Use them on nonstick pans for scrubbing off baked-on stuff when you can't use a Brillo pad.
• Dusting Cloths – Use with or without furniture polish without fear of scratching your wooden surfaces.
• Use them as hot pads, as pot holders and decoratively on the counter under any pretty bowl.
  
  

How to care for your handmade dish cloth:

• Dishcloths do need to be "broken in” - 100% cotton really needs to be washed a lot before it mops up instead of just pushes water around.
• I would recommend throwing them in the wash before use too. I find that helps as part of the “breaking in” process
• Just as with the micro fiber cloths, never use liquid softener on your towels because it decreases their absorbency.

Double Crochet Reversible Afghan

Double Crochet Reversible Afghan
Originally uploaded by dailystitch

This is an afghan I'm working on for my daughter. I chose the Black and Gray colors because she is into vintage films and is a film student. this should keep her warm on movie watching nights! Usually you will see this type of afghan done in single crochet - however, I wanted something a little quicker and softer than the results one would get with SC - so I decided to work this up with Double Crochet. It goes much quicker!

A New Work In Progress

I worked on some new dish cloths tonight. I'm using a very simple pattern:

Use cotton yarn and a size "H" hook
Foundation - Chain 29
Row 1 - Turn SC in 2nd stich from end - for a total of 28 SC's chain 1, turn
Row 2 - SC in back loop, then SC in frot loop - alternate all the way across (28 SC's) Chain 1, turn
Repeat row 2 until you reach your desired size.
SC in all 28 for your last row.

I like the feel of this pattern in it's completed form. It is slightly textured, yet lightweight and soft feeling at the same time.

Yarn Keep

Yarn Keep
Originally uploaded by inklore

I found this while browsing through the Etsy flickr group. It is made by inklore.

This is a really nice canvas bucket that is fully lined - made especially for holding a work in progress. Perfect for that crochet or knit project. I love the two tone color with the block print of the ball of yarn and knitting needles. This is too cute and practical as well!

I'm adding this to my wish list.

Stitch N'Paint Cross Stitch

Stitch N'Paint Cross Stitch
Originally uploaded by dailystitch

I saw this Stitch n' Paint Cross Stitch in a Leisure Arts book, "i can't believe i"m CROSS STITCHING." I liked the way the colors look against the outlined stitches. It is now finished and hopefully, within the next few days I will practice my painting skills to complete it. Stay tuned!

If you are interested in the Leisure Arts book,
I am selling it on ebay this week.

Diagonal Stitch Crochet Dish Cloth

Same Crochet Dish Cloth - different view of stripes
Originally uploaded by dailystitch

I crocheted these with a size "G" hook and used Sugar'n Cream Stripes yarn. The pattern is a diagonal stitch pattern. i found a lot of patterns on the internet - however, the twists and turns you need to do in the pattern did not make sense until I found a website with videos. Once you understand the basics, no paper instructions are needed!

Unfortunately, I lost a lot of my internet bookmarks and no longer have the site that helped me - BUT...here's a link to a You Tube video demonstrating the technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atWgB88WDjw

By the way - These are available for sale on my Etsy Shop!

http://mylifeinstitches.etsy.com/

Front of Graphic Floral Cross Stitch

Front of Graphic Floral Cross Stitch
Originally uploaded by dailystitch

Here's a closeup of the stitching on my WIP.

New Stitches

I've rediscovered my love of cross stitch. Way back, in the 80's and 90's, I was an avid x-stitcher. There was not an idle moment when I did not have a piece of aida cloth or linen on a hoop with a work in progress. I was unpacking a few boxes left over from our move last year and found all my old x-stitching supplies. That same week, I happened to stop in at a Michael's and was drawn directly to the needlecraft area. I picked up a new Leisure Arts book, saw this picture of the graphic floral pattern and had to start stitching it.

I must admit, my eyes are definitely older and I found myself in another aisle at the store looking for the magnifying lenses that hang around your neck. I was so used to stitching one strand over 22 inches and now, even with the magnification, I can't believe I have opportunities with the 14 count! However, that will not stop me from pushing forward. I'm even thinking of designing my own!

Here's a project I did about 20 years ago. I finished it, but never framed it. I used the same motifs to combine fabric and x-stitch cloth to make quilts for my daughters. I'm considering selling it, as vintage!, however, have not decided yet.

Time To Share

Now it's time to share some of the pieces I was able to crochet and complete - with complete being the operative word!

I'm still doing dishcloths. They complete so quickly and it's like instant gratification to start something and less than 45 minutes later, have a completed project!

LOVE IT!

These dishcloths will be available on my Etsy store.

It's Been Too Long - Time To catch Up

Wow! Time goes by so quickly when things get busy and hectic. Since my last posting, I've hosted a visit from my daughters friend from England - TWICE! My son came home on leave from Iraq. That was special! Sent my daughter and her friend up to Boston, over to California and down to Florida. We've also visited a lot with my brother and his family who live on the western side of South Carolina. Work has also picked up a lot and now that my group has been with me for a little more than a year, they are now taking advantage of their benefit time and since budget cuts, I do not have back up staff - so...I work for them so they can take time off.

We have also been working on the yard in our spare time. We recently dug up the front of the house, transformed it from a straight line of shrubs to a gentle curve of flowers. The house has so many straight lines already and I thought a little softening up would look nice.

I found a beautiful Jim Shore bird bath at work at a wonderful price. I work for one of the popular home shopping channels and we have an employee store where we can purchase items from. Trust me...it was a WONDERFUL price and fits really well with our little Bungalow.

The bench behind the bird bath was a great find. It was free! My husband brought it home, it
was missing the lattice work on the back. He found a piece of wood and cut out a pattern we saw on other benches in the area.

I think he did a great job!