Basket Weave Dishcloth Pattern

This is the my pattern that I designed for my favourite knit dishcloth. At 9"x9" and textured makes it the perfect cloth for everyday use...plus it's kinda pretty too, and why can't functional be pretty?

Basket weave cloth pattern:
Materials: a set of 4.5mm needles and about 40-50g cotton yarn

Notes: ~Pattern Row 1 and Pattern Row 2 each consist of 4 repeat rows. So each set of 4 counts as 1 pattern row...does that make sense...I sure hope so.
           ~ Remember to keep first 2 stitches and last 2 stitches of each in garter

Cast on 40 stitches
Knit 2 rows in garter

Pattern Row 1: K2, *K3, P3*  repeat ** to last 2 stitches, K2
  Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 rows

Pattern Row 2: K2, *P3, K3* repeat ** to last 2 stitches, K2
  Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 rows

Repeat Pattern Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 12 Pattern rows
Knit  2 rows
Bind off in knit

Aprox 9"x9" when finished

I make these all the time to use as decorations on wedding or house warming gifts. Makes an excellent face cloth as well.

New Pillows!

 Soo... it's been awhile and my throw pillows definitely needed some refreshing. I've had them for awhile and they just didn't match our home anymore. I think I'm happier with these new ones...the dogs sure seem to like them anyways lol.  A bit more relaxed and cozy thats for sure, our old ribbon and satin ones were stuffy and itchy and not so cozy.

I have to admit I used a thrifted bed sheet for the base of the blocks and it's sooo soft and worn in perfect for a cuddly pillow and even better for a sunny spring nap ;) I used raw edge circles for the quarters cut from scraps out of my bin and just made a basic envelope back to slide the pillow form in...easy right? 

Endless Spinning

Ooops a little posting lapse...but on the upside I've managed to get a ton of crafting done lately..yay for me! So lots to share in the coming days. I've been spinning like crazy my little spindle and bag of roving comes with me everywhere. Who would have thought you could get so much completed in a car ride?

This book Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool was really helpful when I was looking for help, although there is a lot of great information available on the internet this book really set me on the right track ...it's really not as easy as it looks let me tell you.

Unrelated Stuff:
~ Finally finished my Olympic Knitting Shawl...had to wait for more yarn but it was well worth it the shawl is the perfect weight for this weather and is always close at hand. Details and finished pics on my Ravelry page.
~ The baking soda shampoo thing and I did not a good match make, although my hair was clean and actually brushable I liked it but... and this is a silly but.. it wasn't as nice and bouncy shiny like it is with commercial shampoo :(

Going to enjoy the rest of this wonderful spring day!

Somedays you just need fudge

This in our house in the perfect bad day treat it's quick and easy but tastes just right. Known as "Cheaters Fudge" no candy thermometer required. All you need is:

1 bag good quality semi sweet chips

1 bag good quality milk chocolate chips

1 can condensed milk

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp orange ectract

Melt everything in a heavy bottomed sauce pan until smooth pour into 8" square pan and chill until set. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy!

2 Hour Headband

I love this headband! And the best part you ask? Well it only took a total of two hours to knit...now thats my idea of instant gratification. Plus it's super cute and goes with everything.

This one is perfect for cooler weather but a lighter one is definitely in order for summer. Pattern here.

Jumping on the no shampoo bandwagon

I've finally worked up the courage to try the no shampoo thing, this on my part has taken a lot of consideration. I am one of those people who has to wash my hair everyday, it's very fine and gets oily faster than you would believe.  After a lot of looking around and taking in a ton of information this is the formula I've come up with to suit me.

First I washed out really well two old shampoo bottles and got to work.

 For the first mixture add:

1/4 cup of baking soda

+

3/4 cups of warm water

Into one of your bottles and shake really well (make sure to shake each time you use it)

This one I apply to my dry hair and work it in really well and let it sit for a couple minutes than rinse well.

For the second mixture add:

1/4 cup vinegar

+

1 cup water

+

1 Tbs vanilla extract

Into second bottle and shake well.

This one I apply after I've rinsed out the first baking soda mix, work it in really well and let it sit for a couple minutes and rinse.

So far this is seems to be working and the vinegar smell is completely covered by the vanilla ( my husband says it smells like I've been baking all day lol). To make application easier I put it in as you would when colouring your hair line by line right to the scalp. That seems to work the best for me, hopefully this sticks, we'll see I'm still on the fence.

Useful Books

In the never ending search for helpful information about sustainable and simple living. I've come to rely on these books for everyday use.

The first  for it's wide coverage of topics, makes it is an excellent source for starting your journey. Each subject has some great tips and information, just keep in mind the book is more of an overview to get you started. I find myself turning to reference this often whenever we decide to tackle a new task.







The next being a more in depth look at raising animals on a small scale, we foud this the most useful when choosing to raise chickens.












No this book doesn't fall into the same category as the other two but is a beautifully written book. And is a wonderful way to learn to make do and work with all the many materials your home is already filled with. She also offers some great tips about thrifting.






What are the books you find useful around your home?