tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3104174795616291509..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: Open weave cotton dish clothsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71923691421996746132018-01-07T22:16:41.682+10:002018-01-07T22:16:41.682+10:00Hi Rhonda. I too knit dishcloths and agree that t...Hi Rhonda. I too knit dishcloths and agree that the more open structure will dry faster. It is nice to have some easy knitting to doo, watching tv or spending waiting time. However, I think one should do it for the enjoyment of it. Microfiber cloths give very little of the microplastic to the seas. Way more microplastic comes from car tyres and shoes. If you really want to spare the environment one should use the car wisely: go shopping weekly in stead of daily or use the bike. Have your shoes repaired in stead of just buying new, pick up plastic you see on the ground so it won't deteriorate into the soil thus entering the overall circuit (it is amazing what people will just leave behind in nature).<br />I am happy to have just (re)found your blog, after having been missing the other website (the one with Rose) and am looking forward to following you on this one. Best wishes, Helle (Denmark)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33245551513507476342017-07-18T15:11:14.254+10:002017-07-18T15:11:14.254+10:00Thanks so much. I agree about the cotton ones. I g...Thanks so much. I agree about the cotton ones. I got a heap of linen ones from my mother in law but was very disappointed that they weren't what I remembered from my childhood (as in their absorbency - maybe as a child I didn't care if things weren't dried properly!) I've decided to make a tablecloth from them 😊Helen from Toowoombahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10787766008642520280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3461495775579691072017-07-18T14:43:04.556+10:002017-07-18T14:43:04.556+10:00Hi Helen. I like my terry tea towels because they&...Hi Helen. I like my terry tea towels because they're very absorbent. Many of the cotton tea towels seem to repel water until you wash them 10 times or soak in bicarb. I've used new terry nappies in the past and it's economical to buy them in a pack of 12. They have them at Big W $25 for 12. https://www.bigw.com.au/product/dickies-12-pack-of-luxury-cotton-towelling-nappies/p/WCC100000000005228/rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37653249391970041632017-07-18T13:40:07.466+10:002017-07-18T13:40:07.466+10:00Hi Rhonda, thanks for the info about microfibres -...Hi Rhonda, thanks for the info about microfibres - I didn't realise how damaging it was. I'd only fairly recently changed my tea towels over to Microfibre ones as I found others didn't absorb well. What would you recommend that is absorbent?Helen from Toowoombahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10787766008642520280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25495152753709845982017-07-17T20:25:14.539+10:002017-07-17T20:25:14.539+10:00I was given one a few years back that a friend mad...I was given one a few years back that a friend made inspired by your pattern/idea. Just ordered some Eco yarn knitting hemp to make a few to use again. I like the idea of the open weave and how it will dry quickly. I just finished making my fifth batch of homemade laundry liquid. I love it - it's now time to move onto making some other choices to simplify our lives. Homemade dish cloths seem like the next logical step. Thanks!Mellouishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08283363530026786863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59559174890918169762017-07-17T16:58:49.940+10:002017-07-17T16:58:49.940+10:00Welcome to the blog, Lorraine. I only recommend wh...Welcome to the blog, Lorraine. I only recommend what I use which is https://ecoyarns.com.au/collections/cotton-yarn I've made garments using this cotton and I use the end bits for my dishcloths. It gives a very soft, absorbent and durable cloth. When you shop online you must add postage so maybe you're better off looking for a knitting shop in Taree. Good luck.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80690600163935610482017-07-17T16:19:30.546+10:002017-07-17T16:19:30.546+10:00Hello Rhonda, I am fairly new to your blog and rea...Hello Rhonda, I am fairly new to your blog and really love it. When you write its as if I'm a friend chatting with you over a cuppa. You describe your wonderfully simple and happy life so well, and you are someone I'd like to emulate.<br />I came to your blog looking for patterns for cotton dishcloths. I have knitted 4 now from some cotton I had in my stash and a ball from Spotlight. I haven't been able to source any more pure cotton from Spotty for knitting and saw that you have used some in yuour dishcloths. Was this a recent purchase Rhonda? I live near Taree store. Could you recommend anywhere else to source the knitting cotton that is not too expensive? I am going to make mine on a larger needle next time as you have suggested. Thankyou Rhonda for your fantastic blog and inspiring us newbies. All the best, LorraineLorraine Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02379640218491078465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72578771265180501342017-07-17T03:11:42.644+10:002017-07-17T03:11:42.644+10:00These are exactly as I remember my Grandma knittin...These are exactly as I remember my Grandma knitting (I'm 61). Lately I've taken to crocheting double crochet rows (called treble in British terms) to make the weave more open. Not only do they dry faster but I think the rougher texture makes them clean better. I love being able to wash and re-use these really efficient things rather than buy (even really cheap) sponges that go to landfill relatively quickly. Very satisfying!Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43632650242612526902017-07-16T21:51:57.380+10:002017-07-16T21:51:57.380+10:00When I look at your open weave knitting, I keep th...When I look at your open weave knitting, I keep thinking about medieval chain-mail. Knitting like that in a metallic yarn would bear a striking illusion for a costume :)sara888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44311469296160414722017-07-16T21:06:35.538+10:002017-07-16T21:06:35.538+10:00Lia, the knitted cloths can be used all over the h...Lia, the knitted cloths can be used all over the house. I use mine in the kitchen and as face cloths in the bathroom. I use terry cotton rags in the bathrooms and old flannel rags for general dusting and cleaning now. <br /><br />Before I started using the ends on my leftover balls of cotton, I had colour-coded sets just like your microfibre cloths. rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69283816009138751742017-07-16T19:40:32.164+10:002017-07-16T19:40:32.164+10:00Thank you Rhonda thank you for making me aware of ...Thank you Rhonda thank you for making me aware of this microfibre problem! My cupboard is full of microfibre cloths...I use them in different colors to clean the toilet, the shower, the kitchen. I will throw them away. Can I use these knitted dishcloths for general cleaning or do you use them only for the kitchen? I assume rags of old sheets won't absorb as much water to clean for instance the shower...<br />Groetjes from HollandAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01273196289960731043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13160136862942839422017-07-15T21:32:35.074+10:002017-07-15T21:32:35.074+10:00I love knitting and need to make more dishcloths, ...I love knitting and need to make more dishcloths, thank you for the tip on using larger needles. I'm going to try that when my cotton arrives from ecoyarns.<br /> I will make some for Christmas gifts too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06534818029997529671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35952423431495736972017-07-15T13:55:05.010+10:002017-07-15T13:55:05.010+10:00I'm pleased you're going to try to knit th...I'm pleased you're going to try to knit these, Mary. You'll make mistakes, expect them and learn from them. After you've done 4 or 5, you'll have more confidence and I hope will continue knitting them for yourself and your sisters for many years.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-92141589594700768392017-07-15T12:54:20.913+10:002017-07-15T12:54:20.913+10:00I love this post! I grew up with hand-knitted dis...I love this post! I grew up with hand-knitted dishcloths, and have always used them. My mother eventually grew tired of making them for me - so I learned to knit and now make my own. I, too, think it's best to make them with larger needles so they can dry out between uses.Ellen Peters Hoskinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14952673983971952795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86106362827714667632017-07-15T12:51:20.496+10:002017-07-15T12:51:20.496+10:00I am just starting to learn how to knit. So I am e...I am just starting to learn how to knit. So I am excited to also learn how to make a dishcloth that I can use and make for my sisters also for gifts. You have made knitting sound easy so I will be working to make my first one this weekend. Thank you Rhonda your writing makes me feel like I can accomplish all I have tried. I hope you and hanno and Gracie have a pleasant weekend.Mary from Pittsburgh, panoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91930572126929082832017-07-15T09:37:05.987+10:002017-07-15T09:37:05.987+10:00I haven't knitted dishcloths in a few years. Y...I haven't knitted dishcloths in a few years. You've given me inspiration to knock one out. Thanks!Melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13044832128382757722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62815118775371366142017-07-15T09:33:02.929+10:002017-07-15T09:33:02.929+10:00What a clever idea to use larger needles for an op...What a clever idea to use larger needles for an open weave! I'm not a knitter but a crocheter. I think I'll try a larger hook for my dishcloths. There is nothing like the feel of a cotton cloth while doing dishes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03181065956017554742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78818080542335696932017-07-15T07:27:22.655+10:002017-07-15T07:27:22.655+10:00Happy knitting, Catz. I hope your other stressors ...Happy knitting, Catz. I hope your other stressors float away. xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44839846530003379652017-07-15T06:52:28.215+10:002017-07-15T06:52:28.215+10:00I've just scored 3 balls of Debbie Bliss eco o...I've just scored 3 balls of Debbie Bliss eco organic cotton in a lovely shade of pale sage for £1 at a local charity shop! 😀 Inspired by this blog I am five rows into a new knitted dishcloth! I'm using your idea of larger needles and its knitting up fast. We are having a stressful time right now, family illness, housemove and this is the perfect antidote. Thank you! Catzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01520965195624109859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-578658918550841582017-07-15T03:30:14.970+10:002017-07-15T03:30:14.970+10:00I am now addicted to knitting dishcloths and love ...I am now addicted to knitting dishcloths and love using bright cotton yarn to cheer up the kitchen . Thank you for your inspiring ideas .Linda Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11048798208034821122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79205107373749962772017-07-14T19:44:08.976+10:002017-07-14T19:44:08.976+10:00Wish I could knit ,is it hard I did some back when...Wish I could knit ,is it hard I did some back when I was a teenager, but alas I am now 50...and yeah , love you Ronda have been following you know for a few year have all your books can make the washing liquid use all you ideas, but the craft thing well I think I have left my run a bit late :)Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29366571041564047542017-07-14T16:04:07.865+10:002017-07-14T16:04:07.865+10:00I've got a drawerful of knit cloths like Sunsh...I've got a drawerful of knit cloths like Sunshine Alternative Mama and I love them. I used to make cloths on larger needles (and also larger cloths). I switched to about 5 to 6" square cloths on smaller needles and I like them because they don't stretch out as much when wet. Now I'll try the same size cloths on larger needles and give them a go. I've got friends who love that I'll knit cloths for them. Thanks, too, for the info on microfiber cloths. I used mine only for cleaning the bathrooms, but now I'll make sure they are retired from service. Thanks for keeping us informed. <br /><br />Mary (Maryland, USA)Mary Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08802435675822546481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79534572232995404512017-07-14T14:19:11.754+10:002017-07-14T14:19:11.754+10:00ooo i might try this version for my sister, then s...ooo i might try this version for my sister, then she might just use them! she thinks all the cloths i've sent down to her are much too pretty to be used for the dishes!<br />great post Rhonda (as was the one before too) look forward to see how your driveway garden goes as well.<br />thanx for sharing<br />selina from kilkivan qldselinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10173172460099566314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44886375683726561632017-07-14T11:32:18.136+10:002017-07-14T11:32:18.136+10:00Thanks for the idea. I am learning to knit and wil...Thanks for the idea. I am learning to knit and will try these as soon as I get the cotton from ecoyarn (great to have that discount). I know what my sisters are getting for Xmas and it is an easy project to start practicing and build my confidence. Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420022045202632797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22624244241852459532017-07-14T11:19:21.655+10:002017-07-14T11:19:21.655+10:00My towel drawer is full of hand knitted dish cloth...My towel drawer is full of hand knitted dish cloths -- not a store bought one in sight! We tried microfiber one year; my boys loved using it but I was still using my hand knit cloths. Then I read about micro plastics in the ocean and got rid of the microfiber cloths and the boys adjusted just fine. I usually switch between a waffle weave pattern and the classic "Grandma's Dish Cloth" pattern, but I think I will knit up some simple open weave garter squares to add into the mix. Sunshine Alternative Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17111855968940650979noreply@blogger.com