Sunday, November 05, 2006

Cook a Dishcloth


What? Microwave a dishcloth? Believe me, this is a great thing to do. I read to do this on the Monthly Dishcloth Knitalong thingie. Everyone was writing to the Group how they kept their dishcloths clean. Most methods were way too elaborate for me. But one bright knitter said to toss the cloth into the microwave for one minute. With my NEW microwave, I finally have one of those buttons to push for an automatic minute.

Why, you ask, do you want to cook a washrag (a sponge, too, for you unlucky people who don't have handknit washrags)? Well, it keeps it from smelling funky. I found my dishcloth would sometimes start smelling funky after just a few hours. That is because those itty bitty bits of oil, food, etc, get caught in the fibers and a chemical reaction starts and results in a mildewy smell. The microwave boots those smelly fellas right out.

For those of you who use your dishrags for facial spa cloths, you can do the same thing. (If you want to walk downstairs to the microwave and then trot back upstairs). Wonder why that face cloth gets to smelling funky when you have only washed your FACE for crying out loud? Well, I did, too. Then I figured it out.....the oil from the makeup, mascara, and skin turns icky too. So, if you only have one or two spa cloths, you can use them more than one day before putting them into the laundry basket! (of course, you have to go into the kitchen to use the microwave, unless you have one in your bedroom)

Pottery and Knitting


Do any of you have a pretty potter bowl you like to display on your kitchen counter? How about using it as a 'garbage bowl' a la Rachael Ray? Well, I do.

If you have one of these bowls, turn it over and look at the bottom. See that clay colored surface? That surface will scratch your counter top. I have two scratches to prove it. If you use your bowl for a garbage bowl, you will find yourself tugging it around the counter.

My advice? Knit a mini round dishcloth (doily) that is just big enough to keep the bottom of the bowl from sitting on the cabinet. I already had one and it works great. I started out with a normal sized square washcloth and it looked tacky. This one looks like it is supposed to be there!