Friday 23 September 2016

Recent crafty activities

Recent crafty activities at Prag Sust HQ....

These socks:




A moss-stitch cushion cover - for a cushion that was missing a cover




 
And some knitted dishcloths



I'd heard about knitted dishcloths but always wondered if they actually worked.  After reading Down To Earth and learning of Rhonda's love of knitted dishcloths, I decided to knit us up a batch to try. I had some 100% cotton yarn in my stash which was just right for the job. 

We'd been using something akin to 'Chux' cloths bought at the supermarket for wiping up in the kitchen. They got washed in the machine along with the regular washing and re-used until they fell apart. They actually lasted for quite a long time. But definitely not the 5 years that Rhonda's knitted dishcloths last her.  I decided it was definitely worth giving them a go. I used Deb's waffle weave pattern which is a quick and easy project. If made in a nice quality cotton, this pattern can also double as a face washer.  Just make sure you colour-code your dishcloths from your face washers so you can tell them apart when they come out of the wash :)  



I'm looking forward to trying out my knitted dishcloths in the kitchen and seeing how they work out. I love the idea of making something so sustainable and long-lasting that does the job and looks nice too. And they'd make a lovely gift with some homemade soap ....



Saturday 3 September 2016

In the garden .....

After a cold (by Melbourne standards), wet winter, there are sure signs in the garden that Spring is finally here....


Babaco


Loquat


Plum tree in full flower



fennel, silverbeet and borage, with olives in background





minature peach starting to flower


Silverbeet doing what it does best - growing wherever it likes!


New growth on the carob


New growth on the yellow guava


Lavender


baby figs


Camellia


one of our flowering orchids


Has Spring arrived in your garden?