Donna and Dishcloths for August

Blogging in summer I discover is more of a challenge than warm weather knitting.  Donna Druchanas at Knitting for Change, riffs on that, suggests simple projects--dishrags, washcloths.  My own recent hemp number caught her eye.  Could she use it?  Of course--and how about another.  Both are on her site in the company of cloths by the North-South duo, Mason-Dixon Knitting.  In the world of yarn, this is pretty spiffy company.

Now about this blue/whte/yellow, cotton potholder right here.  It caught my eye a couple of years ago when I visited Sheryl, a friend of my daughter's in Portland, Oregon.  I admired it, seemed perfect in her 1950-ish kitchen.  Not re-created to look this way--just naturally vintage.  The technique,double-knitting, was outside my ability.  Sheryl handed it to me, "My Mom made it...or maybe her neighbor."  I accepted.

Since then I've learned the technique. Donna wrote earlier this year about "Safe Sex & Dangerous Knitting," and crafted her own Condom Amulets with double knitting.  Excellent text and photo instructions on her site.

Meanwhile it's hot, of course you know, in New York City.  And we are packing up to flee to Maine.  Packing wool!  Yes, Ron and I are on our way to a Knitting Retreat.  It will be cooler there, I tell myself as we take his spinning wheel, much yarn.  In front of the wheel is recently spun stuff, on top is a spindle with aqua fiber that intrigued me when purchased at Maryland Sheep & Wool but puzzles both of us.  The retreat offers a chance to ask questions and learn new things.  Designing garments with handspun is something I hope to explore.

My summer knitting is a shawl from LoominEssence, "Raw silk puffs embedded on a glowing silk thread core."  Saw someone I knew as she knit with this in green.  She gave me a simple pattern, told me it was from a new yarn shop Knit Purl in--once again--Portland, Oregon.  Ordered over the phone; you can too.  May finish it by end of summer.  A new grandchild coming and my son and daughter-in-law do not want wool.  Fine...a cotton summer project.

Comments

[Susan aka SAZ]

I'm telling you Naomi that washcloth of yours is too good to be a washcloth. Maybe hang it on the towel rack for show but I'd kill the first person who tried to use it! It's cool that it's featured at Knitting for Change.