Bath Mitt Pattern & Pillow

Here are a couple of quick projects that I have been working on over the last couple of weeks.

The first is a pillow knit from humble fisherman's wool. Very simple but, I think, very classic. The idea came from a picture I saw in an European interior design book. Those pillows were of sewn fabric. My version is knit in the round and closes with a simple cotton tie at one end. Because of this, there's no front or back. I plan on making more in different sizes for our sofa, chairs and bedrooms, and I am presently on the lookout for some unique, natural fiber yarn in neutral colors. Preferably worsted or heavy worsted with a decently tight spin. I'm open to suggestions.

The second project is a very useful bath mitt made of hemp. One of my favorite books is Essential Home by Judith Wilson. In the bath section she shows beautiful pictures of bathrooms with clean white towels, linen hand towels and natural body scrubbers. I found and purchased a version of the body brush and nail brush from an online retailer, the All Natural Products Store. The website is not very inviting and is difficult to navigate but the prices are right. Here's the link: http://www.pacwestserv.com/bathessent01.htm .

(FYI -they also have Lewis Labs' brewer's yeast for a great price in case you were looking for some.)

I decided to make my own bath mitt and picked up a ball of 20 lb Beadsmith Hemp Cord for about $4.50 at the local hobby shop in the bead section. It is stiff to knit with, but there's something about the rough texture that is attractive. I was envisioning an invigorating scrub in the shower as I knitted. That probably helped.

I made a gauge swatch and wrote a simple pattern which you'll find below. If you decide to make one, let me know how it goes or if you find any problems (which there may be some, as this entry was written very late at night).

Hemp Bath Mitt
S/M (M/L)

This takes 4hrs or less to make.

Supplies:

-1 ball 20lb. Hemp Cord
-Size 9 Needles, straight or circular
-Size 9 Needles, double pointed

Body:

CO 32 (36).
K 14 (16) rows in garter stitch.
Place marker 15 (17) sts from each end (on either side of 2 middle sts).
K to marker, K1, M1 twice, K to end. 34 (38) sts
K across row.
K to marker, K1, M1 4 times, K to end. 38 (42) sts
Knit across row.
K to marker, K2, M1 8 times. 42 (46)sts
K across row.
K to marker, hold 8sts (remove markers), K to end. 32 (36) sts.
K 29 (31) rows in garter stitch.
K2, K2tog across row. 24 (27) sts.
K across row.
K across row.
K2tog across row. 8 (9) sts.
Cut yarn leaving enough length to sew up the side of the mitt (about 2.5 times the length of the mitt).
Draw through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.
Turn mitt inside out and sew side of mitt closed.

Thumb:
Place 12 held thumb stitches on 3 size 9 double pointed needles.
Knit 14 (16) rows garter stitch in the round beginning with a purl row.
K2tog 1 round.
Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches and secure.

Crochet or braid a small loop at one side of bottom edge to hang your mitt by. If the ends are long enough, use them to make a loop. Secure well.

Weave in all ends.

The mitt will need to be rinsed well in hot water a few times before use. There's something (I don't know what) in the yarn that needs to come out or your mitt will not look very clean after you use it. It also shrinks so if you're unsure about your size, make the larger one.

This pattern fits well but I'm not sure I like how the thumb looks. So you should see an alternative pattern soon with a different thumb.

Thanks for stopping by! Oh yeah, Happy St. Patrick's Day too. (I'll be helping my friend out at her Irish shop this weekend so I thought that was appropriate and I mean it sincerely.)

Small Felted Box with Lid

I'm into containers lately. Places to store things. Baskets and boxes made from natural materials are the preferred choice (no plastic please). It is best if the container has a lid so you don't have to see what's in there all the time.

I was looking for a quick project and thought to knit and felt a small container for myself. (I needed a break from my husband's black sweater.)

A quick look at some of my favorite knitting sites did not yield any patterns for a lidded container so I decided to write one. Here it is for you to try. Let me know what you think.

Small Felted Box with Lid

Note about yarn: I used Lamb's Pride because I had some in my stash but a less hairy yarn would be preferable for this project.

Materials:
Bulky wool yarn (about 40yds)
Small amount of heavy worsted or bulky wool yarn in contrasting or toning color for trim
Three buttons about 5/8” in diameter and thread to match main color

Sewing needle

Needles:
Size 11 or 13 double pointed needles
Size M or N crochet hook
(Note: Gauge is not especially important since the piece will be felted in the washer.)

Finished measurements after felting:
Approximately 5”long x 5”wide x 2”deep

Box:
Using double pointed needles CO 14.
Knit 18 rows in Stst.
Leaving stitches on the needle pick up 14 from other three sides.
Knit 10 rounds.
BO all stitches. Weave in ends.

Lid:
Using double pointed needles CO 15.
Knit 19 rows.
BO all stitches. Weave in ends.

Trim:

Using crochet hook and contrasting/toning yarn single crochet around the top edge of box and edge of the lid (about 3 chain stitches for every 4 knitted stitches). Next crochet a loop of 10 chain stitches in the center front of the lid and two loops of the same size on the back of the lid about 3sts from each corner. (You could also crochet loops at the same time as the trim. Just be sure the loop begins and ends in the same stitch.) Weave in ends.

Felting (or fulling):

Put the box and lid in the washer (preferably front-loading) and run for the full wash cycle. Check the size and pull into shape. You may need to run it through another cycle or part of a cycle checking the size periodically. When the box reaches the desired size, put it back in the washer for one rinse and then spin.

Pull the box and lid into shape and lay flat to dry.

Sew on the buttons and your box is finished.

Linen Pillowcase

This project for a small linen pillowcase arose from a need. I have struggled with serious headaches for years and they have only gotten worse. I've tried all sorts of migraine pills, changes in my diet and finally, a buckwheat pillow. Buckwheat pillows have been used for centuries in the Far East. I purchased a Serenity buckwheat pillow from Healthy Green Goods. It is definitely one of the best purchases I have ever made. If given the slightest opportunity I gladly share my experience with others suffering from headaches, back and neck pain or even restless sleep. I have not had a migraine for months now which means that I have more time to knit!

Now I have this wonderful pillow but it needed a special case. Yes they had some on offer at Healthy Green Goods but I wanted to make my own. Besides my yarn stash I have a nice little stash of fabrics. From this I chose a cream colored linen.

Here's how I made the case:

The pillow is very small, only 11"x17", so I measured and cut the fabric to 16"x26". A little long because I wanted to embroider and then fold in the edge to cover the back of the stitching.

Sew the sides of the case using a 1/4" seam. Sew another seam about 1/8" outside of the first seam. Trim. Make a small double folded hem along the open edge.

Next measure 4" and 8" from the hemmed edge and between those two marks make three evenly spaced marks. (All of these markings are made by placing small dots all the way around the case.)

Following the evenly spaced marks embroider three rows of simple running stitch using mercerized cotton.

Turn the case wrong side out and fold at the 4" line enclosing the embroidery. Stitch down by following the previously made hem stitch. Lastly stitch 1/8" from the edge of the pillowcase, along the fold.

Press and enjoy your new buckwheat pillowcase!





I think the next one I make will have a knitted lace edge. I'll continue to contemplate that idea.