Keeping it Simple

My theme for this year is to "Keep it Simple" - from cooking and baking, to decor and clothing and (most importantly) crafting!

In keeping with this I kicked off the year by making some new washcloths for the bathrooms.    The beauty of a neutral room is that you can really go to town with colourful accessories, and this is what I did with the first set of Continuous Solid Square washcloths.

These little cloths are super easy to make.   They are worked in the round and are therefore much easier to edge than cloths worked in rows (deciding where to put your stitches is always a bit of a bother).

Walking on the beach one morning after a storm, hubby spotted this lovely big shell.    It was a sickly shade of green and covered in barnacles.     I cleaned it up over a few days and now occasionally use it as a soap dish!

Working in a spiral (for whatever shape) is particularly useful for crocheting with variegated / colour change yarns.  When working a motif where you end each round and then begin a new one, you will notice that your colour changes do not match up.    Instead of the colour flowing throughout the motif, each round ends with an abrupt colour change, which then starts again a row higher...... so you have a definite division (or stepping) of colours.

How To:  

Dedri Uys (Look At What I Made) has made a brilliant tutorial for this technique HERE.

I have made quite a few blankets exactly as Dedri instructs, but because the cloths where such a small project, the shape of the centre bothered me a bit.......

So this is my solution for the first round: 

Foundation:  4ch,  sl sl into 1st ch to form circle OR make a magic circle

Round 1:  6ch, [(3dc, 3ch) x 3, 3dc into circle], 2sc into 6ch...... and then follow Dedri's tutorial for the next 9 rounds (ten rounds in total).

I used a simple 2 round "ribbed stitch" for the edging.      This makes for a sturdy edging that helps the cloth keep its shape. 

Round 11:   alternate Fpdc, Bpdc stitches around each dc;   into corners work 2dc, 2ch, 2dc.

Round 12:  work Fpdc around Fpdc;  Bpdc around Bpdc,   into 2dc corners of Round 11 alternate Fpdc, Bpdc in keeping with the "ribbed" sequence;  into 3 corners work 2dc, 2ch, 2dc;   into 4th corner work 2dc,20ch, 2dc.

________________________________________________________

Crocheting washcloths has become a bit of an "end of old - / start of new year" tradition for me (2016 and 2015 ).   I love being able to start the new year with a tidy stash and a heap of neat little washcloths to use or gift. 

I hope that you will enjoy making these as much as I did!

In a Perfect World

In my perfect world: -

Everybody has a roof over their heads and enough to eat;
Nobody is sad or angry;
There is no hatred and no greed;
Babies are born to caring, loving parents (and have at least one crochet / knitted blanket)
Children are safe and happy...

basically, everything is rainbows and cupcakes!

Unfortunately, in the sad state of chaos our world is in, people are sleeping on the streets, there is sadness and anger and violence.    The greedy exploit the needy.   Babies are born into abject poverty.   Children are robbed of their innocence.

Can I change the world???

I try to be the change I want to see in the world.

Over the past few years I have been making "MAGIC BLANKETS" for charity.   This is a great stash / scrapbuster.     Because I use double strands of DK with a 8.00mm hook, they hook up in a jiffy! 

My friend Kim Ryan from Australia has made many gorgeous Magic Blankets to be donated (I just love the little appliques she adds to each blanket - making it even more special!)

The past few weeks have been hot, humid and hectic!    The three H's that make hooking anything complicated quite impossible!

I "magic knotted"  shortish lengths of leftover yarn to make some "magic" OH SO EASY WASHCLOTHS.

I gave a few of my friends  two "samples" each to test - to see how the knot held up with constant use - either as a cloth for bathing or showering OR as a cleaning cloth.    The friends all enjoyed using them and after two weeks of regular use the cloths were still looking good.

I made the remainder of the cloths up as little gifts which could be put into the packs for new mommies at the provincial hospital.   Cut a piece of scrapbook paper into 4.5cm x 24cm strips.   Add a label and a FORK BOW and voila!

I washed the cloths, before adding the labels and bows - so I put each one into a little cellophane bag to keep it neat and clean.

I would love to see your charity makes - please share your photos on my ZOOTY OWL FACEBOOK PAGE

ALONG THE WAY CROCHET

January has flown by in such a flurry of activity, with the build up to my youngest daughter's wedding and  being appointed a STYLECRAFT BLOGSTAR, that I just realised I had forgotten something very important......

A big calico bag full of 100% cotton DK bits and bobs went with along on the long 690km road trip up to Johannesburg for baby girl's wedding. I always put hot dishes onto a crochet trivet, ever since a little accident one night many, many moons ago when just married. I roasted some chicken pieces in a glass dish, and put it straight from the oven onto the heat proof counter top.   The dish shattered into a hundred little pieces, ruining our supper.  The ZOOTY OWL TRIVETS made in 2014 have been used so much that they have started looking really sad, so for starters I made three new trivets.

The African Flower pattern was on the cover of a magazine at the supermarket checkout, and I reproduced it from memory.

The Easy Round Trivet is exactly that - just a simple circle..   Leave it as it is or add a simple border.   Follow the instructions for the base of the SHABBY PROJECT BAG to make a perfectly flat circle.

The Sunflower Trivet was a sudden flash of inspiration!

Due to health issues, long journeys leave me in excruciating pain, so both the to and from trips were done over two days.   Harrismith is a quaint "dorpie" (small town) 416km from Port Shepstone.   We slept over at DE OUDE HUIZE on the first leg of the journeys.  Do go and have a look at the lovely photos the owners have on their page.    The place has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it and the hosts could not be more welcoming or gracious!

Although the bathrooms have all the modern comforts, they still have that olde world charm which immediately inspired me to hook up some wash cloths.

The cloths are far from perfect as the cottons, although all DK, were not all the same thickness - but that just adds to their charm.   

This easy pattern is a great way to use up cotton scraps and to test out colour recipes or stripe compositions.

A double crochet (UK treble ) stripe is crochet at its simplest and is the best way to practice neatness and tension.  Even tension is probably the most important aspect of crochet in any form. 

My gran made me crochet row after row after row (after row...) of double crochet until my tension was spot on, before she would let me move on to anything more complicated.  If your tension is even you can be sure of neat, perfectly shaped pieces.  If you are new to crochet or have experienced wobbling or curling, it is worthwhile to make a couple of these to check that your tension is even.

What to do with all these cloths.......

• For a quick in-the-bath "spa treatment" take a handful of sugar, mix it with a bit of shower gel - just enough to make a paste.   Only make enough for immediate use as the sugar will soon dissolve in the shower gel.   Soak the cloth in the water while you rub the sugar mix over your body.   Wring out the cloth, rub it in circles over your skin to gently exfoliate, rinse off and then wash as usual.  Arms, hands, legs and feet take a bit of a beating in our hot climate.   (This works just as well with a packaged scrub.)  A gentle exfoliation is needed at least once a week to allow my skin to better absorb body lotion and keep it soft and hydrated. 

• Spray a few cloths with some scented linen spray, fold neatly and leave in a small basket in the guest bathroom, along with a bigger empty basket for used cloths.   It makes for a nice touch for each guest to dry off their hands with a fresh cloth (and these are way more environmentally friendly than paper towels)

• Fold and tie up two or three cloths with a pretty scented soap for a quick gift.

OH SO EASY WASH CLOTH PATTERN

Yarn:  100% cotton, DK (eg Stylecraft Classique Cotton;   Raeesah;   Strawberries & Cream)

Hook Sizes:  4.00mm and 4.50mm

Pattern Terms:  US (see conversion chart for UK terms)

Skill Level:  Beginner / Easy

Pattern Notes:  
Each stitch is worked into the top of the corresponding stitch on the previous row.   You will see that there is a "v" at the top of each stitch.   When working into the stitch insert your hook under both loops of this "v" and then complete your stitch.

Along the sides of the cloth the border stitches are worked around the post of the stitch at the end / start of each row.

Foundation:   Using 4.50mm hook, chain 37

Switch to 4.00mm hook

Row 1:   1dc into 4th chain from hook (counts as 2 dc);  1dc into next each of next 33ch (35dc);  turn work

Row 2:   3ch (counts as 1dc);  1dc into each of next 34dc,  turn work

Rows 3 - 17:   Repeat Row 2, break off yarn

Border:

Round 1:  Working along the top of the cloth, join yarn with a sl st into 2nd dc on Row 17.   1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1sc into each of next 32dc.   Do not work into the top of the next (last) dc, but insert your hook into the space between the last 2dc on Row 17,  work 5sc around post of the end dc;

Working down the side of the cloth, 2sc around each dc post at the end of the next 15 rows,.  5sc around next dc post;

Working along the bottom of the cloth, 1sc into the chain at the base of next 33dc;  5sc around post of last dc;

Working up the side of the cloth, 2sc around each dc post at the start of the next 15 rows;  5sc around next dc post.   Sl St into top of start sc to close,   Turn cloth.

Round 2:   Join yarn in 3rd sc of any corner 5sc;  1ch (does not count as a stitch); 3sc into same place as join;  (1sc into each sc to 3rd sc of next corner;  3sc) x3;  1sc into each sc to corner;   sl st into start sc to close.

Note:   Your workpiece should be perfectly square and flat.   Depending on type of yarn used, you may  have to block.  If you find your border is slightly wavy use a hook 1 or 2 sizes smaller. 

**************************** 

A special thank you to my friend Kim Ryan for testing this pattern for me!

 

Diamond Stitch Face Cloths

Once you start making these little luxuries you cannot make just one (I certainly couldn't)!

A great stashbuster or take-along project!    Fold the cloths neatly, top with a luxury soap, add a ribbon and a PINWHEEL FLOWER and there you have it a super quick and economical "emergency" gift!

Make three (or more) face cloths in co-ordinating colours, pop into a basket with some bath luxuries and top with a HIBISCUS BLOOM.  (Finish off with cellophane and a raffia ribbon for a lovely, thoughtful gift!)

Crochet two cloths to match your guestroom and -bathroom:

Take two bath towels and fold one of the towels to make a TOWEL POCKET

Concertina fold two washcloths, then fold in half and slip into the pocket.    Add a matching shower gel, body lotion and scented sachets (or whatever you like).    Display on the bed for a delightful welcome gift for your out of town visitors.

If the towel folding seems like too much of a production, roll the cloths and tie each one neatly with a raffia ribbon.   Top with flowers and leave on the vanity with a fresh liquid hand soap. 

This is such a fun way to try out different colour combinations, and at the same time make something pretty AND useful for yourself:

Enough of my yabbering then!   Here is how I made them:  

Pattern Terms:  US

Yarn:  Raeesah Cotton Soft DK (a good alternative is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK) - approximately 75g of yarn per cloth.

Hook:  4.00mm

Size:  18cm (7 inches)

Skill Level:  Novice

Foundation:   42ch

Row 1:  1dc into 4th ch from hook (counts as 2dc); (skip 1ch;  2dc into next ch) x19, working the 19th repeat into the start of your foundation ch;   turn work

Row 2:  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);  (2dc into space between each 2dc group) repeat to last 2dc group;   1ch, 1dc into last dc;    Turn work

Row 3:  ch 3 (counts as 1dc);  1dc into 1ch space;  (2dc into space between 2dc groups) rep to end of row, with your last 2dc being worked into the 4ch at the start of your previous row;   turn work.

Rows 2 and 3 form the pattern repeat.      Continue until you have 20 rows in total (this should give you a more or less square cloth).

Border Row 1:  Join yarn in right top corner space;  3sc into corner space;  1sc into each dc along top row;   3sc into corner;
 
Working along the left side of your work;  2sc into each post along side;  3sc into corner;
 
Working along the bottom of your work;  (1sc between 2dc;  1sc into 1ch) along side;  3sc into corner
 
Working along the right side of your work,  2sc into each post along side.   Sl st into start sc to close. 

Border Row 2:   2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;  1sc into each sc along side;  2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;

Working along the left side of your work;  1sc into each sc along side;   2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc; 2sc into next sc;

Working along the bottom of your work;  1sc into each sc along side;  2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;

Working along the right side of your work;  1sc into each sc along side.   Sl st into start sc to close.

Edging Row:   1ch, 1hdc into same sp as sl st;  (skip next sc;  1ch, 1hdc into next sc) - repeat around square until you reach your start 1ch, sl st into 1ch to close.

********************

This is a very simple pattern, but I have not had anyone test it yet.    If you find any mistakes please drop me a comment and I will correct them.

The print friendly version of the pattern can be found HERE

I would love to see your finished projects and how you plan to use them.     Please post a photo on my ZOOTY OWL FACEBOOK PAGE

Diamond Stitch Face Cloths: Print Friendly Pattern

Pattern Terms:  US

Yarn:  Raeesah Cotton Soft DK (a good alternative is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK).

Hook:  4.00mm

Size:  18cm (7 inches) square

Skill Level:  Novice / easy

Foundation:   42ch

Row 1:  1dc into 4th ch from hook (counts as 2dc); (skip 1ch;  2dc into next ch) x19, working the 19th repeat into the start of your foundation ch;   turn work

Row 2:  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);  (2dc into space between each 2dc group) repeat to last 2dc group;   1ch, 1dc into last dc;    Turn work

Row 3:  ch 3 (counts as 1dc);  1dc into 1ch space;  (2dc into space between 2dc groups) rep to end of row, with your last 2dc being worked into the 4ch at the start of your previous row;   turn work.

Rows 2 and 3 form the pattern repeat.      Continue until you have 20 rows in total (this should give you a more or less square cloth).

Border Row 1:  Join yarn in right top corner space;  3sc into corner space;  1sc into each dc along top row;   3sc into corner;
Working along the left side of your work;  2sc into each post along side;  3sc into corner;
Working along the bottom of your work;  (1sc between 2dc;  1sc into 1ch) along side;  3sc into corner;
Working along the right side of your work,  2sc into each post along side.   Sl st into start sc to close.

Border Row 2:   2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;  1sc into each sc along side;  2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;Working along the left side of your work;  1sc into each sc along side;   2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc; 2sc into next sc;
Working along the bottom of your work;  1sc into each sc along side;  2sc into first corner sc;  1sc into next sc;  2sc into next sc;
Working along the right side of your work;  1sc into each sc along side.   Sl st into start sc to close.

Edging Row:   1ch, 1hdc into same sp as sl st;  (skip next sc;  1ch, 1hdc into next sc) - repeat around square until you reach your start 1ch, sl st into 1ch to close.