Bobble Stitch Washcloth

In recent months, I have been a knitting machine.  I tend to knit a lot when my husband is away, and this summer he has been away more than he's been home.  Some of my projects included washcloths--all different types, because I enjoy variety....and exfoliation....Of the six washcloths I had already knit, none of them really stood out as amazing in the exfoliation department...So, I went on a hunt, failed, and then turned to my book, Knitting Stitches Visual Encyclopedia, in an attempt to come up with the best exfoliating washcloth I would make.  Well, I've got news: I found it, and the design has the added bonus of looking fun and somewhat whimsical.  It's my new favorite washcloth; now I just have to knit two more, for my husband and daughter.  

For the pattern I used the seed stitch for the border, which seems to be common among washcloths (it stays flat and contains the inside pattern nicely).  For the inside, I referred to my stitch encyclopedia and used the "garter stitch with bobbles".  I had to look up some additional info on the bobble stitch, because I was a bit confused when I got to the part where I had to pass 4 stitches over the one knit stitch...I was trying to pull them all over at once...One at a time, over the stitch closest to the end of the needle is the way to do it.

Below the images, I have provided the pattern (this is my first time writing up my own pattern; I think it's all correct, but if you find something that isn't working, please let me know)... Oh, and if anyone knows of any awesome exfoliating washcloth patterns, share away.

Nice n Nubby

These little bobbles really amaze me.

Bobble Stitch Washcloth

US 6 needles

Less than 120 yds, worsted weight cotton yarn (I used Lily Sugar n’ Cream in Country Green).

stitch note--mb (make bobble): k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 into same st, turn, p5, turn, k5, pass the 4 created st, one at a time, over last k st and off needle.  

CO 41 st.

Rows 1-6: work in seed stitch: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row

Row 7-10: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, Knit until 5st before end, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 11: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Rows 12-16: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, Knit until 5st before end, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 17: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, k3, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 18: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, Knit until 5st before end, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Repeat rows 7-18 three times (these are rows 19-54).

Rows 55-58: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, Knit until 5st before end, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

 Row 59:  k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k5, mb, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Rows 60-63: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, Knit until 5st before end, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1

Rows64-69: work in seed st: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row

Bind off, in pattern, and treat your skin to some texture :)

Binging While He's Away: Project Inspiration

I normally never really talk about, or even think to identify with the role of military wife...But the truth is I am one.  My husband is in the National Guard--now you're laughing and saying pshh, one weekend a month, so what?  Well, it's more than that...Theres 2 weeks ever year, there's month long required training from time to time..and yes, there are even deployments that can last a year (so far I have not experienced one of these, but I'm sure the time will come).  My husband is currently away on his longest stint since we have been married (1 month).  I must say, its been quite the ride.  The emotions alone have been enough--at first I was sad in an aching sort of way, then there was the longing, the loneliness, the lacking of adult companionship....blah, blah blah...sob story, right? Well, I quickly learned to embrace those feelings, and let the tears come when they wanted.  I let myself vegetate for the first couple of days, but quickly realized time was nearly standing still.  

I decided it was time to fill up my life with what I do best: Projects.  Since the end of May, I have begun many projects, finished some, still need to continue with others....I've deep-cleaned, made books, knitted, knitted some more, and some more, planned a little something for my husband's return, and made a date night jar....

Today was about that jar--I gathered my supplies at the beginning of June, during a contemplative moment about our relationship....I realized that the time we have together is precious, and we need to motivate to make the alone time we have with one another more meaningful and fresh. 

With a six year old, work, and school, this is rather difficult--most of the time we just want to sit and waste time when we have it.  Which is completely understandable--we are exhausted, and it's just EASY.  ...but easy is not always best...so, I decided to do the thinking for us when I was in this mushy mood, and came up with a list of date ideas and split them into three categories: Cheap n Easy, Out-On-the-Town, and Splurge.  Then, I let it sit..until today, at the end of June.  

Last night my husband asked if the jar was done and I told him no.  He gave me that little nudge I needed, and I got down to business this morning, after my mom picked up my daughter.

I used a sponge to color code the ends.

And, of course, I looked at the rather large sponge I was using, one end saturated with color, thinking I can't just rinse all that pigment out, so I went and got some paper, to apply the excess paint to.

Then I wrote on the sticks with my trusty bic pen

here's a little sample...There are tons of date ideas on the internet..Just look on Pinterest.

TaDa!
Now we have weeks worth of date ideas already decided upon--making date night a bit easier and fun :)

And, with the excess paint on my palette, I decided to add some more to my "scrap paper" side-project.  This will probably sit, untouched for some time, but maybe one day it will be finished.

Of course, I couldn't just have a plain jar--how boring would that be? So, I got out my mod podge and went to work.

Here it is, all prettied up..another project finished.

A Little Dotty Pot

I love to knit.  I began knitting a little over a year ago, and was instantly addicted. (It doesn't take much for me to get addicted to any DIY/craft).  Between all of the left over yarn from my knitting projects, and the vintage yarn I acquired though a family member, I currently have a huge basket and medium sized rubbermaid filled to brim with skeins and balls of the stuff....It's all just sitting there, waiting to be put to use....some use other than a cat toy...

My favorite kitty occasionally helps himself to a skein of wool.  He looks like a little drug addict, sprawled out and all tangled up in the stuff. And, oh boy, if I try to "help" him out of the yarn, to save it from his teeth and claws, does he get angry.  It's hysterical. One day I will have to remember to photograph him prior to removing him from the yarn. 

Anyway....back to the heaping quantities of yarn, and the point of this post.  Long story short, I have all this yarn, but each color/type is not enough for some huge project....like a sweater...and I refuse to buy any more yarn until I use most of it up. So, as of late, I have set myself to the task of decreasing my stash.  I know I could do it the easy way and trade it or sell it...but the thought of that feels like giving up--I committed to this yarn when I bought it and I can't just quit on it now.

In my search for knitting patterns to use up smaller quantities of yarn, I have come across some gems.  The first one I came across and began working on is really a huge project made out of swatches...It'll probably take me years to make but thats okay....Its this awesome blanket I cam across on Shelly Kang's blog, The Heathen Housewife. She knit up all these little swatches with sock yarn, seamed them all together and put a nice border around the whole thing.  I can't even imagine how many hours she must have spent on this beauty, given the yarn she used.  

Since I have yet to knit any socks and only have one skein of it, which has already been designated for my making of the Beekeeper's Quilt, I decided to use heavier yarn, simply adjusting my needle sizes to get the right size squares for me.  

After about 14 squares, I must admit, it became a bit monotonous (I'm obsessive, but I need variety in my life!).  I decided to take a hiatus from the quilt swatches and find something little and functional to knit (you can only make so many scarves and hats and mittens).  In my travels, I came across the Dotty Pot...Even the name is ADORABLE.  

It's simple but fun, due to all the variety in the pattern...and for a knitting project, it was basically instant gratification.  It probably took me about an hour to make.  The texture of it is wonderful to look at and to touch...it's DOTTY!!! This little guy is small; about 3"x3".

I love that this soft, squishy, mushy thing can hold things and it's shape!

I plan on making another one, very soon...Larger, with wool to hold some keys...I hope.

Binge of the Day

I set out to clean the "office" yesterday.  It's simply a disaster, and in desperate need of a deep clean.  I had attempted a cleaning the other day, but only got a little bit cleaned off from the top of the desk hutch.  I went in to resume the cleaning session, top down.  I looked to the corner and found a sculpture I had made about two-three years ago laying in a broken heap.  It was a giraffe that I had made out of old scraps of wooden toys and branch slices.  It had taken me hours to make it all come together, and lasted less than a year.  Our cat decided he wasn't too fond of it, so he jumped up to its resting place and sent it crashing to the ground.  Thank you, Fivel.  I had put it in the office, vowing to fix it one day.  Well, yesterday was the day--there would be no clean office with a pile of wood in the corner of the hutch.  So, I grabbed some wood glue and some krazy glue, and set out to put this things body back together.  I felt like some forensics person, looking for clues and remnants of one piece of wood on the others.  I was desperate to get it back to its original form.  I eventually had to let go of the idea that each piece was going to end up where it had been when I had originally made it.  It was a good thing I did, because I'd still be bonding with the pieces now if I hadn't.  

This giraffe and I spent a total of 5 hours together yesterday.  In the end, he came out in one piece, except for the traces of wood that were stuck on my fingers.  Yes, I krazy glued myself to this thing several times, and am thankful that my skin was stronger than the wood.  

No real cleaning of the office happened, but hey, what can I say, I am detail oriented when it comes to cleaning...Ok, I'm OCD when it comes to cleaning....and I JUST CAN'T HELP IT.  

I feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment now that Mr is back together.  The binge was totally worth it.  This little guy has found a new home (for now) on top of a shelving unit.  Now, I can only hope an pray that Fivel doesn't take any interest in him, or the top of the shelves.