Self- Made Dishcloths
Self-Made Dishcloths
Knitting and crocheting is a real pleasure, it is relaxing and meditative, a good therapy against worries over Coronavirus. A good occupation if you are in self isolation. If you like knitting or crocheting, I am sure your house is full of little balls of wool - leftovers from previous projects, no knitter likes throwing them away! A good way of using them up is knitting or crocheting something small and useful and environmentally friendly and long lasting...
Until recently I have been using disposable dishcloths. When I think back... it is really frightening as I have thrown away so many. Awful! Not any more. I have a good reserve of cotton threads. I prefer using cotton, as you can wash cotton dishcloths at high temperatures.
It all started when I got a few nicely crocheted ones from my friend. At the very beginning I thought it was a shame to use them for dishwashing or wiping surfaces. Now I cannot imagine using a disposable one. Sometimes I see that my guests are confused. They are reluctant to use a nicely knitted cloth for dishwashing. I really have to encourage them to do so.
You do need a lot. I change them frequently and wash them at high temperatures.
I soak them in baking powder (bicarbonate of soda) before washing.
So, when the weather is bad, get out your knitting needles and leftover balls of wool or cotton. While listening to good music or an audio book you can make quite a few for yourself and some as little gifts to friend and family.
It is another little step towards an environmentally friendly household.
Enjoy knitting and crocheting
Jolanta
Comments
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@jolanta.wittib wow what a great idea. Using up all those small balls of wool. I'm not a knitter but know friends who are. I'm going to run this past them, see if I can get me some! Welcome to TGN, I'm sure you'll find it a very positive, helpful forum. Cheers Jodie
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My grandma made these. I still have some to remember her by.
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I have often thought we could take one of our many torn cotton bath towels, cut them down, and hem them on a sewing machine to make new dishtowels instead of throwing them away.
Has anyone done this? Any advice? Did it work out OK? Is there something I'm missing or a better way to do this?
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Hi @seasparrow32 I haven't done that, but have used those to make face cloths. If they are really worn, they are used as rags.
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That’s also a very good idea. I use old bed linen for rugs. And, if they are made of cotton, they land in garden compost.
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I also love homemade dishcloths but I do have to share my first horrible experience. I used a rough acrylic 4-ply yarn so the dishcloth was virtually worthless. Some of the other posts have specified cotton. Absolutely an excellent idea. Soft and absorbent is critical.
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Also large enough - I have a few that are too tiny for washing dishes, they shrunk after being washed at high heat. But I use those for dusting clothes or for oiling furniture. We downsize torn bath towels into hand towels then down to facecloths and finally if they are still relatively decent - into braided rag rugs and if not into rags. This is what both my Grandmother and Mother did growing up so I just continued the traditions.
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My mother-in-law made me a bunch with a solid weave. Just don't do what I did and use them to wash knives.
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I do, works best if you have a serger. I also have bought 100% cotton shower curtains that I cut and hem as kitchen towels. I use old cotton tee shirts for floor washing rags- cut & stack or fold into 4 layers and then serge around edges.
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A serger! Good to know. Thank you!
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This is what my mother-in-law's version looks like.
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I like to use the small size of dishcloths and potholders to sample knit new stitch patterns. You have something useful after trying to see if you like the pattern or not.
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YES!! I've recently made some also and not only does it use up scrap yarn-- cotton is best-- but they make fantastic dish cloths. great beginner project. Especially for those who have children who are learning to knit. they can make several and give as gifts.
I would recommend using a smaller needle and doubling the thread if you intend to also use as a hot pad. It'll yield a tighter knitted fabric and less likely for your fingers to poke through and get burned.
Making these have made me re-consider weaving dishcloths some day. I always thought I'd hate wiping my hands on something handmade. These have made me realize how useful and gratifying it is to make something so sturdy. My weaver friends have told me so often, only now am I inclined to believe them.
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Valizona! Thank you for your comment! i love your idea of children learning knitting by knitting dish cloths! One can teach not only knitting but also ecology, explain about the importance of not polluting nature. In this case, I would use what is easiest for children: threads, needles...
an excellent idea to knit or weave hot pads. I have always wanted to learn weaving. May be it is a good time to start.
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I've done this. it works great! Heck.. sometimes, I don't even hem them--just tear into squares/strips/whatever.
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I've cut up old (cotton!) t-shirts for face cloths.. they don't even need to be hemmed or serged, and they are gentle to the face compared to potentially rough terry cloth.
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The alternate use here is to use that as a scrubby!
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I don't crochet--learned as a teen, but that's been a couple/three decades. Retaught myself to knit about 10 years ago, and I have a continuous strand weaving loom (google Hazel Rose looms). I, too, have been making dishcloths for a long time. Have sold some, but more often give them away or use them myself. My biggest "issue" is when the threads start to break down, and they start to unravel. I can't quite bear to toss them in the compost pile, so I keep using them with small holes which then grow larger and larger. :)
But, it's a great way to keep your hands busy if you're reading a kindle or watching TV or whatever. I even have been known to knit in church to keep the ADHD at bay so I can focus on the words from the pulpit.
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@Christa Maloy haha...yeah, I understand the ADHD all too well. ;) That's our family. Nothing is ever really dull around here.
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People look at you like you're nuts too? I get that all the time--"What are you doing?? and Why?" Like.. why would you 'waste' your time when you can buy cheap garbage at the store, and why don't you just 'pay attention'. Well, I can't PAY attention, whoever that is, because my Reality Check bounced! :P
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No, at least we don't get that. We are fortunate. I know lots of people who do experience that from others.
It might be helpful to tell those negative people that studies have shown that learning is often best done while movement is occurring and you are choosing to knit as your choice of movement because it is an enjoyable hobby.
Maybe you are knitting something for someone? You could tell them that you are making a _____ to bless someone else.
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Oh I love this! My cleaning cloths are made from fabric scraps or old worn clothes but this will give me another more creative option. Thanks for sharing this
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For anyone wanting to play with knitting dishcloths, here's a link:
I've got a tote bag (gifted from I forgot who) of heavy cotton yarn. it might actually be rug yarn. I'm going to try to get it used up by working some of these.
@COWLOVINGIRL here's a good project to practice your knitting.
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This is so cool! This is making me look forward to winter when I spend a lot of time crocheting and listening to podcasts. I'm going to have to add knitting to my skill list. I barely know how to knit, but I want to learn more! Here are a few of my favorite podcasts for those of you who are interested:
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These are beautiful!!
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For those who prefer to crochet:
Knit or crochet, they make great "pacifiers" waiting for appointments (like the Dr's office that always runs late).
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I never learned how to make the granny square but yours is nice and a change of pace from the usual dish towel.
Thanks for all your ideas
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Thank you so much @RustBeltCowgirl! I do know how to crochet and I'm going to try some of these!
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I just got an inspiration everyone! What if you made the dishcloths but used a softer yard and then sewed them all together to make a quilt?! I might need to try that!
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Awesome, I'm in love with these!
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