Clean it up with the May KAL!

[Jan in CA]

It's May and it's time for some seasonal renewal! So you know what that means? SPRING CLEANING!! I knew you'd be excited!

Now you can not only clean, but do so in an environmentally kind way by making some of your own products. Here's some ideas to get you started.

Swiffer covers - The more colorful the better!
http://greenmountainmama.blogspot.co...ash-color.html
http://www.fickleknitter.com/links/a...r_reusabl.html

Dishcloths-make them out of microfiber and you have a reusable dusting cloth.
http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpa...javaindex.html
http://www.peaches-creme.com/Ballband%20Dishcloth.htm

Scrubbies- I've discovered since making these for the Feb KAL that they work great on bathtubs and outdoor furniture as well as dishes.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/sh...light=scrubbie
http://berlinswhimsy.typepad.com/ber...-tutorial.html
http://wishingiwasknitting.blogspot....-tutorial.html

What else can you think of?

Material sources -
Scrubbies -
Inexpensive worsted cotton such as Sugar and Cream
Nylon netting -(not the more delicate bridal tulle) local fabric stores or online, I got mine here-
http://www.knitsandbitsbylinda.com/nylon-netting.html
http://www.tulle-shed.com/netting-spools.html

Dishcloths -
Any cotton will work. Some people prefer the inexpensive Sugar and Cream type that you can purchase at local stores like Michaels, Joanns and Hobby Lobby or online.
For a dust cloth Microspun might work. Available at the previous sources.

My favorite -Tahki Cotton Classic which can be purchased online or in your LYS.
http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Tahki...Yarn-2489.html

Swiffer cover - Use left overs from your stash

[Lieuvena]

Great KAL. I just came across a couple balls of cotton a few days ago and was going to knit up some dish cloths.

I don't know if this counts, but I think it's really cute, and seems to fit with the theme-

Clean/Dirty Dishes Sign

Hand towels:

Matching Towel & Washcloth

Hanging Kitchen Towel

Vintage towel (mitered) (I really like this one)

Matching heart towel and cloth

Dishtowel and Dishcloth Set

This is a cute scrubbie:
Yo Yo Scrubbie

This is kinda cute:

Spider chaser (it goes on the end of your broom handle) Lengthy instructions, but most of that is for sewing on a face.

Here are a few places with lots of free dishcloth patterns:

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.co...dishcloths.php

http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/page12.html

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/cloths.htm

[auntcrafty]

I need to spring clean, but I will have to do it before I put more things in my knitting que.

Thank you for all the links! I'm hoping to be able to make some of the swiffer covers before the end of the month and the scrubbies would make great gifts to go with dishcloths.

[Shandeh]

I think I might make a dishcloth and towel set for my mom for Mother's Day.

[gingerbread]

Oh this going to be good for me. Had surgery on my right hand and I am just starting to be able to knit. Dish cloths are just the right size and my hand won't get to tired. Plus it is good excise for the hand. So yup I am in on this kal, thanks Jan for coming up with spring cleaning.

[Shandeh]

Last night, I started making a Ballband Dishcloth. I've never tried that pattern before. It sure is easy!

My only problem is my arthritis. After just 12 rows, my entire left arm was numb.

So, it will be slow going. I guess I'll just have to settle for making TWO dishcloths - one for each mom for Mother's Day.

[Jan in CA]

That is pretty, Sandy! I haven't made one of these either. I'll have to give it a try!

[Shandeh]

I've never made one before, because I didn't really like the look of it. But, after seeing one in the flesh (in the yarn?) , it looks nice.

And the pattern is SUPER EASY. You only have to tie on the first color change. After that, you just leave the yarns hanging, and pick them up to use them at the appropriate row. It's not like fair-isle or intarsia....it's MUCH simpler.

The hardest part was figuring out the YF YB parts, but it only took me about 10 seconds to understand it. Now, it's a breeze.

[Lieuvena]

I got a couple of really small and really quick things done:

Tribble(pattern is the 3rd one down) - This was so easy and quick and is a great way to use up a very small bit of yarn. I couldn't get my hole completely closed up because I wanted to finish off my yarn. It was a bit longer than it should have been, but will still work great!

Dishwasher magnet - Another very quick project. Also uses very little yarn. I will have to get a suction cup with a hook for this. My magnet was just a little craft magnet and is not strong enough to work through the yarn.

I really liked both of these and would knit them up again. I think the Tribble will be my go to pattern for very small bits of left over cotton.

Tribble

Magnet

[Jan in CA]

Those are great, Lieuvena!