This morning, I pulled some more fruit buns from the oven. The weather cooled sufficiently enough, to be able to bake in the morning again. The kids will have a few today, now school holidays have started, and my husband will get the rest. I like to freeze them individually, and he can grab them for his lunch.
Afterwards, I continued knitting my candy-stripe, dishcloth. T'is the season for candy-stripes, right? But it came about more because I wanted to use up a ball of cotton, which I purchased from a second-hand store, many moons ago.
It was a case of seizing the opportunity, and not realising until I got it home, that I don't really like pink. Don't ask me how "white" cotton for my candy-stripe, ended up in my collection either. I must have thought it a good buy at the time.
In an effort to use up my supplies, instead of letting them collect cobwebs, year after year, I decided I could have a least one, candy-stripe dishcloth, as I am busy replenishing my supply. It means a lot of weaving-in ends, changing colours all the time, but at least I get to use up two colours, I may not have appreciated on their own.
Pink is not my thing, but making dishcloths are. I can't remember when exactly, I started making them (I estimate 8 years) but I know I only have to replenish my supply of dishcloths, every two years or so. I've always made the waffle knit dishcloth, from Homespun Living.
Only I modify mine, using 4 ply cotton now, and number 9 needles. I still use the same number of stitches though. It means I get a smaller cloth, but it fits perfectly over the sink faucet, and it doesn't hurt my hands to squeeze out. I found I struggled with the larger cloth, knitted with 8 ply cotton.
The other brilliant thing about using 4 ply cotton though, is the cloth dries really quickly in summer. Meaning no time for it to grow smelly or mouldy. If I haven't been writing much, it's because my knitting needles, are busy clicking in the background instead.
It must be the time for it. I currently have a waffle weave, pink cotton cloth happening. I'm using Bendigo Woollen Mills 4 ply cotton. I'm using 4mm needles and have increased the stitch numbers. Mine will end up being a facecloth. I like pink and this cotton is knitting up beautiful and soft. I plan on making a few and adding some to my gift cupboard. I have some guest sized pale pink soaps I made. The two together will make a nice gift for a couple of Birthdays I have coming up in January.
ReplyDeleteI think my number 9 needles, equates to 3.5mm. So just a fraction smaller than your 4mm. Thanks so much for mentioning Bendigo Woollen Mills though. I did a web search and found their 200g balls of cotton on sale for $11 each.
DeleteI did a cost comparison with Spotlight's recent cotton yarn sale $6.99 for a 50g balls, and I save about $5, if I were to buy the equivalent amount of weighted balls, from Spotlight. Bendigo is cheaper per gram, and postage is the best I've seen offered yet.
I bought some, because I'm planning some Christmas gifts, and was worried my current supply wouldn't cover it. So thanks Jane. :)
Chris, I bought four balls from Bendigo Woollen Mills a few weeks ago before their price goes up. They are good value when you consider the size of the ball and are very good quality. I have had that pattern printed out for years and still haven't given it a go. LOL!
ReplyDeleteFunny that you haven't tried the patten yet, when it's the only one I've ever used. I've seen others around too, but I guess I stick with what I know. :)
DeleteI also bought four balls from Bendigo today, which is equivalent to 8 balls from Spotlight. I especially like how they source their wool from Australia and manufacture it here too. So I like to support those kind of businesses.
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ReplyDeleteI haven't knitted any dishcloths up for ages. That is the same pattern I used for mine in the past. Though I think I have a crochet dishcloth pattern somewhere that I could also try.
ReplyDeleteApologies for not responding sooner Sherri. That pattern is very popular, because in my experience anyway, it makes for a very strong dishcloth. I get many years use from mine.
DeleteIf you do crochet that new dishcloth, I'd love to see a picture. No pressure though. :)
I love pink but not that particular peachy tone. And I agree regarding smaller cloths. I make them tne size of washcloths, 5x5 inches usually. Yours is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteApologies for not replying sooner either, Linda. It was crazy busy here, a few months ago. I always intended to respond, but I got (metaphorically speaking) snowed in. I bet you're getting some of the real stuff where you are right now.
DeleteThanks for the compliments, and we must think alike. That should not surprise me by now. ;) Smaller washcloths are so much more manageable and easier to knit up.