Friday 28 November 2014

Small Gifts

Before going any further I want to thank you all for your kind and very thoughtful comments about my experience with the car. I am truly thankful. Just as I am truly thankful that the situation didn't end up being much worse. Thanks, too, for the comments on my hedgehogs. They were fun to make and I can't wait to get at least one owl made. I'm being put off making an owl by the fact that I now only have green tinsel yarn and I just can't imagine a green owl. Maybe I need to pay a visit to the yarn shop and buy some more of the tinsel yarn; white or silver would be nice, methinks.

Anyway, to get back to the post in hand. This is about some little gifts I've made for Christmas. When I was on holiday recently on the Isle of Skye (you can read about it here, here, here and here) I bought some hand crafted soap from the Isle of Skye Soap Company in Portree. I thought it would be nice to make some washcloths to go with the soaps and use as Christmas gifts. The yarn I chose is King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK which is made from 100% natural fibres making it a good choice for delicate skin. For two of the cloths I used the Ice colour.


There are plenty of patterns about for washcloths but, not wanting to actually get off my seat and go to look for my pattern book, I just decided to make it up. I made a chain as wide as I thought was necessary and then worked one row split stitch and one row double crochet until it was long enough to make a square. Then I worked a row of double crochet right round the edge. The split stitch gives it a nice texture. Look, here they are again with one of the leaves I've been making.


Now I had some more of this bamboo cotton yarn in my stash; Green and Dusty Pink (at least, I think those are the colours - I've thrown out the ball bands). Not enough of either colour to do another washcloth so I used both colours and made this ...


The middle is about three quarters the width of the Ice washcloths. I worked until the piece was square and then did a row of double crochet right round. Next I did a row of split stitch and a row of double crochet in the Green, repeated that with the Dusty Pink and then did a final row of Green shells.

Don't forget I'm using UK crochet terminology so read single crochet instead of double crochet if you use US terminology.

Maybe I should write up the pattern for you in another post. What do you think?

That's enough for now, I think. I have some more gifts to show you another time. The snowflakes will have their own post and so will the other Christmas decorations. I'm really enjoying making them all! All the best for now and please feel free to leave me a comment.

Nearly forgot! Before I go, have a look at some of the roses in my garden. Some are starting to look a bit sad, what with all the rain we've been having.


Some are just perfect still!


This one was only planted in the summer.



There's just something special about a perfect rose, isn't there?

24 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for every single comment you make :o)
    The wash clothes are addictive, I have made a single one, but my mum does,
    and I only use those. One each day in the kitchen along with a towel,
    so I am lucky to have my mum knitting mine.

    There was the last rose in my yarn last week, but the temp dropped til -6
    a few nights ago and it died.
    Have a nice week end and take care.

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  2. I've never been a fan of roses but I've come to love them over the last couple of years, I don't know what's brought about the change.. It's wonderful to have them still blooming at this time of year. Snap, I've been making wash cloths to give with handmade soap as gifts this Christmas but I've been knitting mine.

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  3. Your roses are perfect and so are your wonderful dishcloths. Love them and yes I would very much like the pattern.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  4. Hello Gillian

    I love your washcloths especially the Ice ones, and your little maple leaf is brilliant and yes please I would LOVE the pattern, as I can see little gifts in the making.

    Gillian, you roses are just beautiful, I can smell the perfume here. Even looking a little sad they are still stunning.
    Yes, Mother Nature is a wonderful thing.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  5. hello gillian,
    your roses are beautiful and your washcloths are a dream. and yes i would very much like the pattern!
    hugs and love,
    regina

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  6. Your washcloths look great! I love the little maple leaf one; did you make up the pattern for that one too?

    I am so jealous that you have roses blooming in your garden. We just got a dump of snow, so everything is white, white, white!

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  7. Hi Gillian, your washcloths are beautiful, lovely stitch. I have only recently used Bamboo cotton and I love it-fabulous shade that you used.
    I adore roses, how lovely you have some late blooms, very special.
    Helen

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  8. Very nice washcloths, and great yarn choice! : )
    Some roses are still in bloom here as well, and yours are really beautiful!
    Wish you a nice weekend! xx

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  9. Hi Gillian! Love your washclothes, such a pretty pattern, please can you share it?
    The photos of your roses are special!! <3 I cut mine all back because the temperatures have dropped here. So I will have to wait for next year for new blooms!
    I'm also busy making gifts, we will visit England tomorrow, can't wait! :))
    Have a good weekend!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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  10. Hello Lillian,
    You are very creative. So nice!!
    The shots of the roses are very wonderful.

    Kind regards and have a nice weekend,
    Marco

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  11. Love the wash cloths and together with the Isle of Skye soaps they will make lovely gifts :O)x

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  12. Gorgeous washcloths and they'll be lovely with some Skye soaps.

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  13. those are so pretty. I just read your car story, how traumatic x thanks for your visits to my blog.

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  14. Your washcloths are so pretty and will make perfect gifts along with the soap.
    Marianne x

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  15. Delicious needlework, so clever you are to crochet.
    The roses are just great even now in late November.
    Good weekend to you.

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  16. Your roses are so beautiful. I look forward to seeing your snowflakes. xx

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  17. I can't believe you still have such beautiful roses at this time of year! Gorgeous. I really like your washcloth pattern. I think they make excellent gifts, and I have a couple that I use all the time. x

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  18. I also make my own washcloths, but didn't think of using them for gifts - that is a great idea with nice soaps.
    The maple leaf is a brilliant spot of color!
    Amalia xo

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  19. People will certainly like your thoughtful gifts!

    I walked past some roses the other day too and was amazed that some of them were still in bloom! Such a lovely treat in winter!

    Take care
    Anne
    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

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  20. What a lovely idea and a gift I am sure will be gratefully received. Gorgeous roses by the way - ours are long gone.

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  21. Im sure you know by now I love washcloths and dishcloths . I make and give them to friends so often ,they do seem a little surprised that I make my own cloths .In fact most think I am mad, that is, until they use them. Now everyone says they are the most absorbent great cloths. Yours look wonderful.
    I love the shot of your roses I love the droplets of rain on them. Perfect .Have a lovely day

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    Replies
    1. Ha, ha!! People always think I'm mad for making cloths. But they are really great to use - and they're lovely to make too.

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  22. What a great idea. I love making washcloths and using them as well, so I also made a lot of them for Christmas gifts this year. I'm sure they will be very well loved.

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