Thursday, March 19, 2009

Simple Pleasures

One 'hot off the press' knit cotton dishrag, in cheery colors...


The instructions said block it by throwing it into service immediately. I love how it looks, draped over the kitchen sinks.
My MIL would have liked these. They're a regular workhorse, something she highly approved of. I'm still using the two orange potholders she crocheted me over 20 years ago. They're better than anything I can buy. Actually I knit two, in two nights. I went with something softer for the second.


It's still a bit lumpy since I didn't block it yet. I'll let the recipient do that. I'm giving it as a gift, with one of these:

When I'm choosing a gift, I pick something I'd like to receive. There's such a sweetness to these I think.

Thanks Becky for getting me started on these, and to Sarah for not only teaching me to knit, but also the brilliant recommendation that I put together a knitting bag, ready to grab and run out the door with, when we have showings. It'll make passing the time, while people are touring the house, much more fun. Hopefully I don't get too many dishrags done before it sells....

They'd look nice tied up in a bow with one of these too:

Target had lots of bottles and bars of soap, all around $3.50. The cakes were $3.50 for a pack of two.

I'm feeling inspired! Both patterns are beginner level. Each dishrag cost about $1.25 (I purchased the yarn at Joanns - be sure to use 100% cotton), and by the time the winners are announced on Biggest Loser, Survivor and American Idol I should have a sweet stack of them in my gift box. $1.25 for a dishrag, $3.50 for the soap - what Sarah calls 'a happy' (gifts just because) for under $5.00 - love that!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Bev! I took a beginner knitting class a few years ago and we made these. I used them though, as 'throw rugs' and 'afghans' in my girls' dollhouses. :o)

Unknown said...

Yay Bev! You did it! I knew you'd basically fall in love with the simplicity of it.

I just finished one just like yours, same simple pattern, in shades of verigated greens. Lovely!

I am now knitting my 4th since I started this gift set on Sunday. And I only do it when I watch tv. And I don't even watch much tv :)

Gretchen said...

Thank you so much for getting back to me with all the specs. Also, I lurve the "happy gift" idea. Don't we all just need a little pick me up some days? Lurve the idea of lotion with the dishclothes. If your hands spend any time with water, paper, or fabric, it's practically essential to have a bit of lotion nearby at all times.

very, very cute. My grum makes these for me. But someday soon I think, she won't be able to. I think her Easter package is taking shape in my mind.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I am so envious of your knitted dishcloths, Bev. I can't knit for beans, though it's been years since I tried. I just fell into crocheting around age 8 and found my groove with it, so didn't pursue knitting. I learn better hands on, and I don't even know anybody who could teach me to knit. Maybe someday...

I'm thinking though that I could crochet some of those dishcloths using a single crochet or possibly double, or even afghan stitch. Hmmm.....I may do it!

Those would be good for a shower or housewarming too, in a basket with one of those nice "green" dishwashing liquids, counter spray and a nice hand lotion. The sky's the limit!

Happy knitting! :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

PS: I think my desktop hard drive may have finally expired. It wouldn't come on Tuesday when I tried it and I was so upset about it that I haven't tried it anymore. Maybe later today I'll see if it can be resurrected. So many things I can't do with this laptop! I don't have my printer loaded on here but I may have to do it yet.

Renna said...

Hooray for you! I've been on a dishrag knitting kick lately, too. As warm weather is arriving here in Texas, it's nice to have something light and cool on my lap as I knit (cotton), verses something heavy and woolen. Plus, as you said, they are the perfect on-the-go knit!

If you decide you want to play around with a different pattern, the Waffle Knit Dishcloth on Homespun Living is a lot of fun to knit (easy, too), and makes a lovely little dishrag.

http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html

PS-I like that you called them "dishrags". Many knitting blogs refer to them as "dishcloths", which they are, but growing up in our household, they were simply "dishrags", and wash cloths were "washrags". ;-)

Karen said...

Would you share the pattern for the dishrags? I looked on Becky's blog and couldn't find the pattern. Thanks.

Barb said...

How sweet they are, Bev. I'd be tickled to death to receive a gift like that, so I know anyone else would too. I'm like you - I tend to give gifts I'd love to receive, too, and I'm sure anyone would be pleased to receive this. They're both cute, but I really love the bright one, believe it or not.

Susanne said...

Well those oughta cause a smile as one does dishes! Love them, Bev. Almost makes me want to take up knitting. Almost. ;v)