About three years ago, when I first picked up knitting needles again, I started where so many start, with the scarf. Those days are, of course, painful to remember, for the obvious reasons. So many of my friends are still sporting the acrylic eyelash scarf* in various variegated and solid colors, carefully chosen to match their wardrobe or personality. When asked why I no longer knit these scarves, I simply smile gently and change the direction of the conversation. I haven't the heart to tell them that I have moved on to the better things in life. Learned that there is a better way to live. That nothing stirs my heart like merino, alpaca, angora, or silk.
Except cotton**.
I have become completely infatuated with the color, texture, and near immediate gratification that knitting these dishcloths provides. The fact that I have four different pairs of socks on needles, that I have one lace project already started and need to pick another for the Amazing Lace KAL, none of this means anything in the face of balls and balls of inexpensive cotton. Apparently I am all about the cheap thrill!
*Now lest you think I am just the tackiest person alive, I would like to go on record as saying that I only picked up the needles, and more importantly, the eyelash, at the request of my then teenaged daughter. We were in the ubiquitous craft store, she saw the eyelash, and immediately asked me to knit a scarf for her. Little did I know that I was opening a door to a whole new obsession. Still, I have to thank her. Had she not been the little trendsetter that she is, I might never have picked up knitting needles again in my life, and would undoubtedly never have 'met' all my wonderful blogging***buddies.
**And speaking of cotton, for those of you kind enough to ask, I am going to try some semi mass production techniques on the cotton sock bags this weekend. We'll see how it goes. If you are interested in purchasing or trading for one of the sock bags, let me know either in the comments or by email!
***Word suggests bogging, logging, flogging, clogging, or slogging as possible alternatives to blogging when I ran my spell check. Totally random observation, but it brings some interesting visuals to mind!
Comments (21)
I love the orange one! And, when I learned to knit about 7 years ago, I was knitting dishclothes!
Posted by Carole | May 5, 2006 9:00 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 09:00
They look great Leah! I've seen some out there in blogland and they lack pizazz. Yours have pizazz. Maybe it is the stunning color combos you chose. I've never knit a dishcloth. I have a few that a friend wove for me but no knitted items in the kitchen unless the stray project or pattern on the counter counts. So now the big question is whether or not you're going to use them or keep them safe and pristeen.
Posted by amanda | May 5, 2006 9:15 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 09:15
Oh, alpaca! How I love thee. So much so, that when I read the word "alpaca", I say it out loud, like this: "Alpaaaaaaaaaaaaca."
I'm wondering when you're going to invite us over to your house for a textiles art exhibition. You could very well have it with the fab way you photograph your fiber goodness, you know. (And I know you wouldn't forget the alpaaaaaaaaaaaca.)
Posted by Becky | May 5, 2006 10:01 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 10:01
Oh what pretty colors your dishcloths are! The purple one rocks!
Posted by Karen | May 5, 2006 10:20 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 10:20
I LOVE the one pictured at the top! How much will you charge for it?
Posted by Ava | May 5, 2006 10:22 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 10:22
THe BAG featured in the top photo, that is. The pinkish/blue one. Boy, was I in a hurry! BTW, I think most of us knit at least one eyelash scarf, and dishcloths too. I didn't think I'd ever knit another until M-D, then I had to have one. Knitting them has such a tranquilizing effect on me - and of course now I have all that yarn left over, so I'll have to knit more... :D
Posted by Ava | May 5, 2006 10:28 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 10:28
To be honest I didn't really "get" this knitted dishcloth thing. But having seen the pattern in M-D and the lovely colours that you have used, maybe there is something to be said for them after all!
I am so glad that you started knitting & blogging. I wouldn't have got my fabulous socks if you hadn't!!
Posted by Kira | May 5, 2006 11:42 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 11:42
Dishcloths are the reason I started knitting---thankfully there is more to knitting than dishcloths! Still, I use mine all the time and knit more when they start getting yucky. Those in your post are just beautiful--you have such great color sense, Leah!
Posted by katie | May 5, 2006 12:04 PM
Posted on May 5, 2006 12:04
I am cracking up thinking about my logging friends, my clogging friends...hilarious.
Great dishtowels. The more of them I see, the more my willpower to resist them erodes....
Posted by Rachel | May 5, 2006 2:49 PM
Posted on May 5, 2006 14:49
Your dishcloths are awesome! I too fell under the spell of cotton it feels SO good. But in my case, I've decided to make snowboarder/skateboarder touques (must be the Canadian in me coming out, that or the fact that I know a lot of teenage skate/boarding rats). Dishcloths may be next on the list.
Clogging brings an interesting image to mind…
Posted by Marnie | May 5, 2006 6:34 PM
Posted on May 5, 2006 18:34
So who's been inspired by Mason-Dixon knitting then? Those are great and really cheerful looking dishcloths. Shall I let you into a secret? When I am on holiday in America in the next few weeks I've already resolved to pick up some Peaches & Cream for just that purpose. Why use a dull dishcloth when I can brighten my mornings with colour?
Posted by Mandella | May 5, 2006 10:59 PM
Posted on May 5, 2006 22:59
Leah, Thanks for your kind words about my socks! I put the instructions for my short row heels on my blog as well as links to other tutorials.
Posted by Ava | May 6, 2006 12:45 AM
Posted on May 6, 2006 00:45
Oh I'm making these too! They ARE addictive aren't they? GRin... okay what "Cotton sock bags" girl??
Posted by Becky / Knitting Interrupted | May 6, 2006 6:04 AM
Posted on May 6, 2006 06:04
I love the dishcloths! My little son saw a handknit washcloth in the bathroom this morning and asked me "did you make that." I said yes. He said "it's cool!" Nothing better than that!
Posted by Kathy | May 6, 2006 7:32 AM
Posted on May 6, 2006 07:32
Your dishcloths are stunning.. I don't think I'd be able to actually USE something this pretty to wash dishes with.. Where did you get that lovely cotton yarn???
What are you selling your sock bags for?
Posted by Teyani | May 6, 2006 8:52 AM
Posted on May 6, 2006 08:52
OH beautiful!! I just started one of those addictive little dishcloths last night and I'm hooked!! LOVE THEM and yours are just lovely - the colors are great and I think a scarf would be an awesome idea!!
Posted by Esther | May 6, 2006 9:35 AM
Posted on May 6, 2006 09:35
Ooh! You made some pretty ones. I wasn't terribly excited about my color selections, but for so little cost, I suspect I'll end up collecting more cotton yarn to play with. I also enjoy getting that much texture and color out of a little instant gratification knit.
Posted by terby | May 7, 2006 11:47 PM
Posted on May 7, 2006 23:47
Sock bags for sale? Do you take PayPal? The discloths look marvelous (really, what's not to like about them - and your color choices are stunning as always).
Posted by Emily | May 9, 2006 6:00 AM
Posted on May 9, 2006 06:00
Your tea swap pal here, just checking in, saying hi, stalking your blog and devising plans to send you something that might brighten your day.
Posted by tea swap pal | May 11, 2006 9:20 PM
Posted on May 11, 2006 21:20
I love your MD knitted washcloths!
Posted by trek | May 13, 2006 11:55 AM
Posted on May 13, 2006 11:55
Washcloths are fun to knit, aren't they. Yours turned out beautifully, I can see why you're addicted!
Posted by nona | May 17, 2006 9:11 AM
Posted on May 17, 2006 09:11