52 Dishcloths

I am going to attempt to knit 52 dishcloths this year. I've never really been a knitter, but after several unfortunate crochet incidents in 2016, I think 2017 will be the year of knitting. I'm following along with KnitPicks Clean and Crafts 52 Weeks of Free Dishcloth Patterns, but I'm making some changes. I've decided that every time there is a crocheted dishcloth I'll replace it with a knitted one, and if I don't think my knitting skills can handle the current pattern, I'll substitute a different one, and get back to the harder one when I can actually understand the instructions (I'm looking at you, ceramic dishcloth). So without further to do, here are the first 4 dishcloths I've knit this year! I still have to weave in the ends on all of them, but that seems like a good rainy day project*.

From left to right:
Snowflake Dishcloth - knit with some white yarn I found in my mom's stash
Rippling Diamonds Dishcloth - knit with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Scents Yarn in Lavender
Square Check Dishcloth - knit with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn in Country Red (I didn't do all 4 repeats of the pattern, I got bored of it after the three repeats and the dishcloth seemed big enough without the fourth repeat. This is my thing, I'm going to make all the changes that I want to!)
Knotted Cables Dishcloth - knit with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn in either Robin's Egg or Blue Snow Cone

The knotted cables dish cloth was the first time I'd ever knitted cables, and it was pretty easy! It did take a few rows to get the hang of it, but once I did, the dishcloth knitted up pretty quickly.

Let's just talk about that rippling diamonds dish cloth for a second. It is knitted with scented yarn. I didn't know it was scented yarn until I started working with it, and then spent quite a few minutes trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. It's got a nice scent, but I'm not entirely sure I need a lavender scented dishcloth.

Next up I might try the King Charles Dishcloth. I have a variegated blue yarn that might make it look kind of cool, or maybe I'll wait for the next pattern to come into my email - I've got some other projects on the go in the meantime.

- Lauren

*I mean, I'll get around to it eventually. It actually is a  (freezing) rainy day here today, but those ends are still very much hanging out. I'll get to it one day.

And that's the Lego Buckingham Palace peeking out there. I got it for Christmas and Andrew and I built it while watching the Super Bowl on Sunday!

Measuring Tape Pencil Case

I've finished my second sewing project of 2017! I made a measuring tape pencil pouch as part of my #2017igsecretpals January package. I spent a really long time trying to figure out what to make, and had decided on a small pouch, then changed it to a different project, then saw a version of this measuring tape pouch at the quilt shop today and knew that's what I had to make.

Isn't that lamp awesome? My dad made my sister and I each one for Christmas in 2015! 

I didn't use a pattern, just cut strips of three measuring tapes to 9.5" then sewed them together with a zigzag stitch. I did use a piece of white cotton on the back of it so the measuring tapes wouldn't get stuck to the feed dogs. I used the widest sized zigzag stitch my machine had, and after many tries to centre it on my practice piece, I just lined the seam up with the centre mark on my foot and went for it. It isn't centered, but it is the same on all the pieces, so it works out. I used a scrap I had for the lining, and just made a simple lined pouch. I used a piece of the measure tape as a little strap. I may have put it on the wrong side of the pouch relative to the zipper, but that's okay - it just makes it unique! It took about an hour to make once you take out the time I spent looking for white thread. I ended up using yellow for sewing on the zipper and finishing the pouch. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it! I hope my January secret pal will like it, I'll put it in the mail with the rest of the package tomorrow or Thursday.

And some more photos! I love the grey used for the lining - I used it to line the pockets in a Sew Together Bag for my sister.
            












-Lauren