It's been a week! A busy week and a beautiful week in our part of Indiana. Sunshine, warm weather, an occasional spring-like shower... The birds are singing, and I'm expecting tulips and daffodils to start popping through the soil any moment.
But it's only February 28th. And it is still winter. So I'm cooling my heels doing estate settling stuff, slipping in a little hand-crafting when I can. I kept Ruth company for a couple of hours one day - I have missed spending time with her during this COVID time. In all the busyness and distractedness of February, my mindless knitting was dishcloths.
The pattern for the solid cloths is Boxes,
and for the variegated cloths I use the Darrell Waltrip pattern.
Since it was the month of "love" and "hearts" I gathered together a bunch of cotton yarns in pinks and purples and set myself to working through it. On this last day of the month, I'm knitting up my 14th cloth.
Someone usually asks if I have a plan for these cloths. The answer is no, but a plan always seems to find my cloths somehow. When the plan finds them, I am ready!
~~~~~
And this week's theme for the #52 Tags challenge was "Bits and Pieces" with a 'found' component. Seems to me that every week's tag is made up of bits and pieces just found amongst my stash, so this one was relatively simple:
The "found" bit is the shiny beige strip of fabric, second from left, that I found as the lining of a tie of my brother's as I cut it apart - thinking the tie's outer fabric might be useful someday. Actually, the lining fabric of the tie was much more interesting so I cut it out and put it in my stash. There's a bit more of it, so it may show up in another tag at some point. The rosette was made of a piece of crocheted edging that once upon a time was attached to a pillow case.
By the way, the pictures above were taken on the deck - where it was 60 degrees today. The pictures in last week's post (scroll down) of crocheted snowflakes on top of snow were taken on the same deck. Amazing the difference a week makes. Yes, it's mighty nice outside right now.
I hope you're enjoying some pleasant weather where you are! 😊
Even if it won't last it is nice to have a bit of sunshime and warmth when you can get it. Your washcloths are lovely! 14 of them too! Wow! You were on a roll! Your tags are so pretty and interesting. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThank, Sam. :) This upcoming week is supposed to be warm again, so maybe spring really is here... A girl can hope!
DeleteCongrats on the dishcloths. I had quite a stash of them too but noticed it is starting to dwindle. I just took 4 of them to Vegas for my friends there. My kitchen is in need of new ones too. Guess I know what my "take along" project will be now. Your tags are always so interesting. Using items you have just "hanging" around is so much fun. I so enjoy hearing about the history behind the items you use on them. We are having gorgeous weather here and I am hoping it hangs around for another month or 2 before the heat sets in. That probably won't happen but a girl can dream lol. Since next month is about luck and spring, will your dishcloth become green and gold?
ReplyDeleteYes to green! I may have some bright yellow in my stash and that could pass as gold. Thank you for the inspiration, Marsha!
DeleteI know - could the weather be any crazier in the Midwest?? Glad that the snow is all melted and reminder that spring is coming. The dishcloths are lovely and glad they will eventually find a home. I like that your tags can be remembrances of your brother.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the weather here could be any weirder. lol The worst was the week before last, and I can't imagine it will get that bitter again before spring.
DeleteIt makes all the difference when the sun shines and Spring will soon be here. Your dishcloths are so colourful and pretty a ready made gift just to pass on when the need arises. The tag is lovely, have a great week. 😊
ReplyDeleteIt does! Sunshine, even on the coldest of days just seems to brighten the spirits. Re: the cloths... I might just roll some together "jelly roll" style and have them ready to hand-off or deliver as gifts.
DeleteIts been over a year since I made a dishcloth! I love the pattern, is it a slip stitch construction?
ReplyDeleteI love the tags! Using "found" items from your stash is so fun.
Yes, I think the variegated pattern does make use of slip stitches. I'll add the link to the patterns I use.
DeleteYour "mindless" knitting looks anything but! Your work is just so skilled.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to get out on the deck for photos. Yes, compared to recent weather, I'll take it.
Aww thank you, Liz. ❤
DeleteThanks for the links to the dishcloth patterns. I want to make the Boxes! What kind of yarn do you use? I was thinking cotton would be good, but maybe bamboo more durable?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I've used bamboo yarn. I use a variety of "kitchen cotton" - in this batch is Sugar & Cream, Peaches & Cream, and Premier Home Cotton.
DeleteSometimes mindless creating is just what the mind and body needs and dishcloths are just perfect for that. I like knitting socks for the same reason - the heel isn't mindless but the rest of it sure is. Nice that some of your snow is on the way out - hope it stays gone!
ReplyDeleteMindless knitting gives my hands something to do when I can't or don't want to focus on much. Simple hats are another mindless knitting for me. I think it would be amazing for socks to be mindless to me. 😏
DeleteWhat a gorgeous selection of dish cloths, I love those colours. It's been gorgeous weather here the last few days. Gardening in a long sleeve t-shirt warm!
ReplyDeleteThanks' Liz. Gardening sounds wonderful right about now. 🤗
ReplyDeleteYour cloths look so cheery and I am sure their recipients will arise soon and you are definitely ready!
ReplyDeleteThey do look cheery, don't they!?! I hope they make someone smile soon. :)
DeleteI just have to say that "mindless" and "knitting" are in no way synonymous in my book. One of my daughters took a knitting class with another homeschool mom and the moms were invited to tag along and learn too. Heavens to Betsy.
ReplyDeleteBut . . . I love how you can use these crafty moments to be productive and to distract your brain from all of the heavy things you have been working on. That must be a blessing! And you have such lovely things to show for it!
After several years I'm still a beginning knitter. I can't believe the first time I knit the Boxes cloth, I thought it was so hard. Now, I don't even have to think about it. That's what makes it mindless. Crafting a real gift during a time like this. It's easy to think I shouldn't be spending time on something so trivial, but it really does help me get out of my own head sometimes, and that is so needed.
DeleteNow that stack of colorful, pretty dishcloths must be so satisfying. Weather is plumb crazy all over. Today 40° tomorrow 20° and back to 40° Wednesday. Gotta be thrilled with those polar vortexes. Hope that you have a happy March! 🪴
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, it sometimes feels kind of silly knitting up so many dishcloths, but yeah... seeing them stacking up, and finally take a picture of them all feels very satisfying. ;^)
DeleteYour knitting looks cheerful with all those bright colors. The cold and rain matched my mood today with losing Lemony. Last week was spring like and she did get to enjoy the time outside, so for that I am very grateful.
ReplyDeleteI just read your post about Lemony. :( I'm so very sorry for your loss, Sandy.
DeleteThe cloths and the tags are lovely as always
ReplyDeleteThe weather here is lovely at the moment - it is always nice to sit out in the garden in the sum!
I have a skein of Dishie from Knit Picks (had to wanted to try out) and a great dishcloth pamphlet by Leisure Arts. I should start a dishcloth...perhaps for quick satisfaction? I guess I'm a product knitter and my knitting has been so slow.
ReplyDelete