| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| sally_in_wales |
Knitted dishclothsJust had one of those minor revelation moments. I do still buy sponge washing up scourers, but its just dawned on me that I'm also still using a set of knitted string dishcloths my great aunt made for me ten years ago when we bought the house.Thats good going for a highly abused bit of knitted string. Think I'll have to make some more this year and try to ditch the sponge scourers. 
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| frewen |
I've always thought that they would be a good way of trying out a new stitch or pattern.
Is it just plain cotton yarn or do you need something a little more coarse? |
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| sally_in_wales |
I think you can buy discloth cotton, I'm fairly sure I even have some somewhere in the stash, but would be tempted to use soft cotton string if it felt suitable | ||
| sally_in_wales |
random google gives this
http://www.bgpayne.com/haberdashery/dishcloth.html so its out there, 70p per 100g, should make several cloths I reckon |
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| sally_in_wales |
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/dishcloths.php
loads and loads and loads of dishcloth patterns. Anyone want to design us a Downsizer Dishcloth?
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| frewen |
I've been surfing dishcloth patterns since I last posted - but then I got sidetracked 
knitted eyeballs and pirate hat
http://maryjanemidgemink.blogspot.com/2007/10/knitted-eyeballs-for-halloween.html http://www.helloyarn.com/wecallthempirates.htm I think maybe one of Gervase's relatives is a model? 
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| alison |
I go on a knit a long with dishcloths, where there is a few rows given every day for the time of the cloth, and there are two cloths a month. One is a pattern, and the other a picture. | ||
| Samantha |
I'm a knitted dishcloth girl as well - they work a treat and do seem to last forever.
Wonder if there's a group on ravelry? |
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| Samantha |
In answer to myself - yes there is - Dishcloths R Us | ||
| Sarah D |
I've been knitting them for 20 years now, wouldn't sue anything else - apart from a wooden headed brush with changeable ehads on. Makes the job of washing up that much nicer. I do at least two a month, with a Knit-along by e-mail, and several others as I come across patterns that take my fancy. As usual, the Americans are at the forefront with the best designs, one of my favourite sites being Dishcloth Boutique, which I've used for years.
I find the old fashioned dishcloth cotton too thick, so use ordinary DK cotton, but it has to be pure cotton (but any colour, as long as it is fast). I've experimented with cotton mixes, but they don't perform at all well as dishcloths. Look in charity shops,e tc for odd balls - one 50g ball will make about 1 1/2 dishcloths - use the odds up to make a stripey one. Wash on a hot wash, and when it does eventually wear out, it goes on the compost heap. I use them as cloths in the bathroom too, but keep them blue for there, so they don;t get mixed up with the kitchen ones. Knitted facecloths/flannels in cotton are nice too, and make a nice present with some homemade soap. Some of mine, made for a display, still using some of them: 
One of my favourite sitesis the Dishcloth Boutique, but it has moved sites recently, and I'm trying to track it down again. |
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
Even with my limited knitting skills I've been making and using knitted dishcloths for years. I buy the dishcloth cotton and can get 3 out of one ball. Just do stocking stitch cos its the only bit of knitting I can do without too much swearing and concentration. And like Sarah D says they end up on the compost heap when holey and sad looking. | ||
| alison |
Is it this one?
http://www.jimsyldesign.com/dishbout/kpatterns/potholders.html |
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| cinders |
nice sarah D.Theirs me i use a boring old cut up holey sock 
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| Sarah D |
at Eco..........
Yes, that's it Alison, but I can't get it to load at the moment. Not that I have any business looking at even *more* knitting pattterns for dishcloths. I have to get one knitted up to test for the organiser of the KAL 
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| dottyspots |
There's quite a thread on it on Ravelry too (for those bods who are on ravelry) | ||
| Home on the Hill |
Oh no - now I've got another craft project to do. But these are so quick and easy, I'm gonna have to have a go. I even have some left over cotton yarn from my very first knitting project (that was only about 18 months ago!)
It seems to me that these are a good way to practise new stitches - I have no idea how to do 'yarn over' so I'm gonna try a pattern with those in it! Will try and remember to post a piccie of any successes - but not failures! Beth |
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| sneeuwklokje |
This looks rather interesting. However, a question. How do you keep them clean? Boil them?
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| frewen |
I boil  and a yarn over does exactly what it says - pull the yarn from the front to the back
actually watch this http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qq__ttEMUo cos I'm not too good at explaining
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| Sarah D |
Mine go in the washing machine at the end of the day, along with the teatowels, etc. Eventually, they will end up a non-descript shade of grey, but still useful. | ||
| sneeuwklokje |
Thanks, both. 
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| Green Rosie |
I'm hoping to start knitting this year - do you reckon dishcloths would be a good starting point (after the obligatory knitted squares for a blanket and scarf)? | ||
| frewen |
Totally
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| Green Rosie |
Excellent - after all there are only so many scarves a girl can wear/give away but I always need good dish cloths. Now I will go back and read this thread properly and see what I need.
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| mochyn |
Hmmmmm.
Do I really need to make anyhting that's not already on the list? The nice thing about these is that they shouldn't take too long to make. Very portable too. I'm guessing that the dishcloth cotton would also be good for warp of a fleece rug? |
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| mochyn |
Dare I suggest a dishcloth challenge? First one of the year...
Anyone else up for it? Starting Monday? If so, I'll put up a thread... |
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| sally_in_wales |
Go on then I'm halfway through concocting a pattern based loosely on the leaf in the Downsizer logo, might force me to get on with it.
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| alison |
go on then, count me in.
I am doing the long cardie for my DD but can be easily distracted! |
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| Samantha |
Ohhhhh yes please - after all we don't have enough challenges in our lives
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| dottyspots |
I'd be up for that. I'm just knitting up a chunky jumper for ds1 using up some stash, but it's fast as it's such heavy yarn - started and finished the cabled front yesterday, started the back today and will finish this evening and might even get started on a sleeve - I reckon a sleeve a day and I can probably sew it up on the 2nd day, so I'll be able to squeeze in a cloth.
I've not knitted any before, but it's certainly something that's needed around the house and I was photographing some of my stash for Ravelry (haven't got it up yet and still have a few boxes worth to go) and found some Rowan cotton that will probably be suitable - only one skein, but I'm guessing that's enough for one dishcloth. I knitted a few squares for an afghan a while ago and I'm guessing it's the same thing really. |
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| jamsam |
rright..thats it..im learning to knit..right now..im off..dont let me post again untill i have read a knitting manual.... | ||
| ros |
I'm in too if I can find any suitable cotton yarn, my stash got raided by the cubs for something or other
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| vickersdc |
I am in! | ||
| Home on the Hill |
I can't be in the challenge because I already finished and need to get some more cotton yarn before I can do another one. But here's my first (very simple) dishcloth.
Beth |
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| frewen |
How long did it take?
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| Home on the Hill |
Just 2 evenings - about 2 1/2 hours each night. | ||
| frewen |
About the same time for Sally's chuncky socks
Am I doing a good job at selling them yet?
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| Green Rosie |
Well you better have a total beginners category - and make the deadline at least July if I have any chance of joining in
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| mochyn |
OK see new thread here:
http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?p=474697#474697 |
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| sneeuwklokje |
Home on the Hill,
do you have a pattern for the one you made that you would be willing to share please? |
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| dottyspots |
There are a few sites with free patterns online: http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/washcloths.html http://www.purpleduckie.com/freepatternsindex.htm http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/dishcloths.php http://www.knittychick.com/home_sweet_home_free_knitting_patterns.htm#Bath I can find more if you need them. |
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| Home on the Hill |
It was from here:
http://majorknitter.typepad.com/photos/patterns/dishrag_and_magazine_photo.html Happy knitting...Beth |
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| sneeuwklokje |
Thanks for the patterns.
I managed to buy some cotton today, so I will make a start. |