tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3052344443530455632..comments2024-03-29T15:58:41.446+10:00Comments on down to earth: Buying quality ... and cottonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62964238178827356482013-01-26T09:51:44.466+10:002013-01-26T09:51:44.466+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Thank you for this helpful post. If you...Hi Rhonda,<br />Thank you for this helpful post. If you were interested in getting Australian cotton, the Bendigo Woollen Mills sell 4 and 8 ply cotton which you can order online (http://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/). I have always assumed it was Australian cotton, since their wool is, but I may be wrong. Worth checking out if you're interested. xJuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13778238517713121621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25756502888465374432010-07-28T04:56:32.550+10:002010-07-28T04:56:32.550+10:00Regarding bamboo - it is being touted as "sus...Regarding bamboo - it is being touted as "sustainable" because of the rate of growth, but as Maggie said in some cases forests may be cut down to make room for bamboo. The bigger problem for me is that bamboo fibers are chemically treated to make cloth (it is really expensive to mechanically treat the fibers, so almost all bamboo fabrics are chemically treated). Essentially bamboo cloth is the equivalent of rayon (chemically digested tree fibers).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79081736313942188012010-05-07T06:39:56.603+10:002010-05-07T06:39:56.603+10:00I was lucky to be given some off white cotten knit...I was lucky to be given some off white cotten knitting yarn which i used to crochet some dish cloths , which I havn't done before and they will out last the rag bag ones I am in the throws of using up, just have to remember to chrochet them a little bigger than you think you will need to allow fro shrinkage. As fro cotton sheets I came across some in a charity shop for £1.50 for a double and bought all they had as they were hardly used and even still had the laundry mark on them. soom I hope to make a very pretty bed set.<br /> thanks fro the inseration and the nudge that sometimes I/wee need is that thrifty isnt always cheep.<br /> Best <br />Rachel<br />Plymouth<br />Devon <br />EnglandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71474082558183934552009-05-18T21:31:00.000+10:002009-05-18T21:31:00.000+10:00Hi there,
I've worked for Pure Zone for about 4 y...Hi there, <br />I've worked for Pure Zone for about 4 years now, and we're actually an Australian company! Not all of our products are Australian made but they're all manufactured exclusively for us. We only make 100% cotton sheets - excepting our new bamboo/cotton blend sheets which are absolute heaven to sleep in (if I do say so myself!).<br />Glad you enjoy our product!<br />-SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18403399028978149672008-02-20T07:04:00.000+10:002008-02-20T07:04:00.000+10:00Your dish cloths are very pretty! I love knitting ...Your dish cloths are very pretty! I love knitting as well. Although, I have only knitted scarves, and I made a sunglasses case once. <BR/>Have a great day.<BR/>I do alot of crocheting too. Come visit http://creativecombustion-crafts.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>God bless!Staciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467529506086430790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41621497250840667022008-02-03T22:09:00.000+10:002008-02-03T22:09:00.000+10:00Our dishwasher (purchased some 3 or 4 years ago) o...Our dishwasher (purchased some 3 or 4 years ago) only uses 18.5 litres of water per wash so is far more economical for us to use instead of handwashing. Also I end up with dermatitis if my hands are in water too long (good excuse eh?!) <BR/>Your bed looks so cosy and comfy ... I had a quick peek at your blog this morning and it inspired me to clean out my linen cupboard today.. thank you (I think)....great bargain on the sheets.Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09960799508508846000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49624004533832791362008-02-03T10:25:00.000+10:002008-02-03T10:25:00.000+10:00Another thing to watch in your thrift shops is for...Another thing to watch in your thrift shops is for gently used cotton sweaters, as long as the yarn is thick enough for your needs. See a good tutorial here (nayy)<BR/>http://www.neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html<BR/><BR/>for what to look for in the sweater and then how to disassemble and ravel out the yarn. This is a great source for most dishcloth knitting. Wash the sweater first but don't worry about the crinkled yarn, it won't be noticeable in the finished items.<BR/>DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9883337277992786022008-02-03T07:02:00.000+10:002008-02-03T07:02:00.000+10:00Hello everyone! Thank you for the great comments....Hello everyone! Thank you for the great comments. Thanks also to everyone who wrote about the Bendigo mill cotton. I found the website and will order some when I have my next pocket money, it's exactly what I was looking for.<BR/><BR/>Tamara, secondhand shops are a great resource, aren't they. I'll have to look for cotton on my next trip.<BR/><BR/>Kate, I love your idea of knitting with string. That would also be a good idea on circular needles for string bags.<BR/><BR/>abundantly, the needles are size 8.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17014569703172865602008-02-02T18:17:00.000+10:002008-02-02T18:17:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Thank you for another inspiring thread. ...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for another inspiring thread. You must have been reading my thoughts or to put it another way, your philosophy is beginning to affect me;-D <BR/><BR/>I was in the shops yesterday and saw a very pretty duvet set in the sales. When I picked it up and looked closely I realised that not onlt was it polycotton (and mainly poly at that), but that I could easily see through the material, it was that thin, and my first thought was "that would be too thin to use as rag wipes even now". Needless to say, I didn't buy it.<BR/><BR/>As for bamboo, in my more affluent days I purchased a bamboo outfit from a folk/music festival I was at. It is the loveliest soft and silky material to wear and is warmer than silk. Strangely enough it was imported from Australia.<BR/><BR/>Deborah<BR/>Ps. your new photograph at the top is lovely, I so want to have a go at making some soap when I finally have a kitchen and cooker.dNDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00531819276422542672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72866697022377448602008-02-02T16:50:00.000+10:002008-02-02T16:50:00.000+10:00Rhonda, what size needles do you use to knit your ...Rhonda, what size needles do you use to knit your dshcloths?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47542230678449786952008-02-02T14:03:00.000+10:002008-02-02T14:03:00.000+10:00I agree with the buy the best you can afford. I w...I agree with the buy the best you can afford. I was lucky enough to buy kingsize cotton sheets for $20 (down from $80) last year and love them. The old sheets are being resized to fit my daughters new double bed. <BR/><BR/>I found some cotton thread yesterday for $1. I wanted to try knitting dishcloths but after a couple rows knew I'd be quicker at crocheting them. I chose navy for the bathroom and a pretty green for the kitchen. Am just using granny squares, have made them before and found the granny square ones where my favourites. I have already crocheted 2 cloths out of the first ball and still have thread left, possibly another half a cloth worth.Cheryl@Gingerbread Craftshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189189331024564663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6844429590785012372008-02-02T13:44:00.000+10:002008-02-02T13:44:00.000+10:00Rhonda, see Bendigo Woolen Mills for Australian co...Rhonda, see Bendigo Woolen Mills for Australian cotton http://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/products.php?cat=9Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86313090184052207502008-02-02T13:17:00.000+10:002008-02-02T13:17:00.000+10:00Some Australian cotton currently on ebay.http://cg...Some Australian cotton currently on ebay.<BR/>http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Heirloom-Cotton-4-ply-11-balls-colour-678_W0QQitemZ250211207305QQihZ015QQcategoryZ36595QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16907021712935423492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50750353805723505092008-02-02T13:09:00.000+10:002008-02-02T13:09:00.000+10:00Some name brand discount stores in the US such as ...Some name brand discount stores in the US such as Tuesday Morning or T.J. Maxx get really great deals on quality sheets. I bought a set of Ralph Lauren sheets once for around $60.00. I had seen them in a large department store for over $300.00 (and lusted for them, but had to pass them up). Same sheets and quality, just last season. I'm still using them and that was several years ago.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for an inspiring blog :)Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07193264926984463232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53787591986893436872008-02-02T12:10:00.000+10:002008-02-02T12:10:00.000+10:00I've been collecting cotton from the local second ...I've been collecting cotton from the local second hand shop. I can usually find a few different balls (some not even used!) for a dollar or two each. Might be a good alternative?<BR/><BR/>Of course, now I just have to go search out my needles and actually get to knitting.<BR/><BR/>TamaraRinellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09531231014570232367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14179951841291184392008-02-02T11:38:00.000+10:002008-02-02T11:38:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I read your blog everyday for inspiratio...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I read your blog everyday for inspiration and ideas.<BR/><BR/>Here is a link to Bendigo Woollen Mills. They have 4 ply and 8 ply cotton, not 6 ply unfortunately. It's a start.<BR/><BR/>http://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/<BR/><BR/>CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62182091717366594782008-02-02T11:32:00.000+10:002008-02-02T11:32:00.000+10:00Rhonda-another lovely post. I love my knitted and...Rhonda-another lovely post. I love my knitted and crocheted dishcloths, but I also wonder why you are choosing black for the bathroom. I use a bit of bleach when I clean so I always use old white towels-is there a reason for the black that I am missing? I love your bed and am glad I am not the only one with duvets and sheets from the 70's-some are a bit funky colored but they are soft.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03314290576757837045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37894288452418476642008-02-02T11:14:00.000+10:002008-02-02T11:14:00.000+10:00Rhonda, you can buy 200g balls of Australian cotto...Rhonda, you can buy 200g balls of Australian cotton through Bendigo Woollen Mills. They have an on line shop. It's $11.50 for 200g. They also have a great range of knitting yarns and if you spend more than $30 the postage is free. I haven't had a problem with any of the yarn I've bought from them. ( I'm not getting a commission, I just thought I would let you know).Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659929017085133209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41506847469553882462008-02-02T11:03:00.000+10:002008-02-02T11:03:00.000+10:00The children are back at school and I have been sh...The children are back at school and I have been shopping. I found Lincraft had some cotton yarn Australian made Cleckheaton brand 'Fiddle de dee'. Seems to be similar weight to the Moda cotton I have used in the past(purchased from that other chain store, Spotlight).<BR/>Still at home and still enjoying your blog. Thankyou.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17804558134361694338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89486851039419706602008-02-02T10:35:00.000+10:002008-02-02T10:35:00.000+10:00Love your blog, Rhonda. I crocheted a dishcloth f...Love your blog, Rhonda. I crocheted a dishcloth for myself a couple of months ago as a test to see if I would enjoy taking up crochet again (haven't done any since I was about 12). I used a very cheap ball of cotton string. It made a square about 18cm a side. The colour is taupe-like. The texture was very rough to crochet with, my fingers felt a little bruised and scaped, but the square is done and I'm even using it to wash dishes. It was rough to use at first and very stiff, but as I use it I'm noticing it is softening quickly and becoming much more absorbant. It's now starting to feel like a dishcloth should. Although it doesn't come in a multitude of different colours, I think it could be a good cheapskate alternative.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/>Kate (from Brisbane)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5717819522668164302008-02-02T10:23:00.000+10:002008-02-02T10:23:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, thank you for another wonderful post, I...Hi Rhonda, thank you for another wonderful post, I so enjoy my daily visit with you :)<BR/><BR/>Why black cloths for the bathroom?... just because, or is there a reason?Nikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05943301163903634325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64691556682514284302008-02-02T09:47:00.000+10:002008-02-02T09:47:00.000+10:00Rhonda,I think your gift that you gave sounds just...Rhonda,<BR/>I think your gift that you gave sounds just wonderful, who wouldn't enjoy that I am sure.<BR/><BR/>Your bed looks comfy & cozy, and I didn't even see it as not matching until you mentioned it. You are right, it doesn't matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13972749654900191202008-02-02T09:37:00.000+10:002008-02-02T09:37:00.000+10:00Rhonda,I have heard that bamboo can grow over a fo...Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I have heard that bamboo can grow over a foot a day, thus, it is a great 'green' product. I've also heard that clear cutting of forests is occurring in order to grow bamboo. A bit of a catch 22.<BR/><BR/>MaggieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34999388567883302142008-02-02T09:13:00.000+10:002008-02-02T09:13:00.000+10:00Hello Tracy dear, thank you.Kristina, there are a ...Hello Tracy dear, thank you.<BR/><BR/>Kristina, there are a lot of wonderful sites online that have good photos and tutorials for knitting novices. It's an easy skill to master, I find the most difficult part is reading patterns. I'm starting a how to knit class at my Centre soon.<BR/><BR/>Maggie, I haven't used any bamboo products but I've heard they very good and being from renewable bamboo forests, are sustainable.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53642677833975157052008-02-02T09:08:00.000+10:002008-02-02T09:08:00.000+10:00Rhonda,450 thread count? Wow! I'm lucky if I can f...Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>450 thread count? Wow! I'm lucky if I can find 300 thread count at a good price. 700 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets are readily available but pricey!<BR/> <BR/>I have noticed a rise in interest for bamboo sheets. I'm curious, what are people's thoughts on Bamboo sheets -- has anyone used them? Are they worth the price? Has anyone used hemp sheets? Again, worth the price?<BR/><BR/>Your bed looks comfy btw :)<BR/><BR/>I completely agree with you in that you should pay out more money on a good quality item than buying a cheap item to get you through the interim.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the info re: cotton yarn. I use a product called: Bernat Handicrafter which is made in Canada and is 4 ply. Italian yarn is difficult to come by here. Infact, I don't think there is any locally owned store in town that sells yarn. All are big box stores. However, there is a local Hemp store which I might check out this month and see if they have any yarn like products.<BR/>Cheers,<BR/>MaggieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com