A Handmade Christmas {Week 6}

 Hello Everybody!
Have you all been having gray days like we are? They are perfect days for projects (at least I think so!) and I have been having fun doing some sewing, kntiting and crocheting. As well as combing the internet looking for other lovely project ideas!

Today the ideas that I have to share with you are quick, practical and they are made out of things that I recycled. That is the sort of projecst that I really like!

May I present to you.....

Scrubbies (made from old orange or onion bags or some old tulle that came out of a wedding dress that I redid)  and a knitted dishcloth (made from an old cotton t-shirt). That is I hope it works well for a dishcloth. I haven't had a chance to try it yet but I have been seeing this idea other places online. If it doesn't work for a dishcloth it will work for a hot pad.

To make the scrubbies you cut strips of your mesh material (the scratchier the stuff is, the better) that is about 1 1/2 inches wide. If you are recyling you will probably need to sew your somewhat short strips together. I did that quickly on my sewing machine. Then crochet (using a somewhat large hook) a chain of 5. Attach that chain together in a ring and then crochet 2. Then double crochet 2-3 times in each of the 5 chains in the loop. Then hook together at the outside, tuck in any loose ends and you are all done! This is so easy to sit down and make in just a few minutes. Also, with this project it really doesn't matter if you do it perfectly or not. Mainly you just want to get a nice lump of tulle hooked together so that it will scrub some pots!

To make the dishcloth you cut your t-shirt in strips about 1/2 inch wide and stretch a little so that it curls up and looks more like yarn. The dish cloth pictures above is 6 1/2 inches square. I cast on 18 stitches for it but since I think a bit bigger would be nice I will recommend casting on 24 stitches. Just knit back and forth until it is square and then cast off. A very simple knitting project! I just made this one while sitting in a meeting. A great way to keep your hands busy when you have to sit still for something.

If you are giving kitchen oriented gifts here are a few more ideas:

~ Hot pads. They are easy to make. For these I simply made a pinwheel quilt square for one side, a solid denim square for the back and then a couple of layers of denim or wool inside. Then I pinned some ribbon around as binding with a loop on the end so they could be hung up and then I sewed them up. Quick and easy and fun!

~Aprons. Read more about the one on the left here and the one on the right here.

Other ideas of things that could be made for those that like to cook are: Wooden Spoons, Pottery Bowls, mugs or pitchers (I would love to know how to make those!), Grocery bag holders, A holder for serving/stirring spoons, napkings, placemats and more. I would love to hear your ideas!

Now, PLEASE SHARE YOUR IDEAS!

If you have a blog I would love it if you would share the link of your post, And for everybody I would love it if you would leave ideas in the comments. I am especially feeling in need of ideas of things to make for men and boys!

TO LINK UP:
I can't wait to see what you make!

-Please link up a handmade idea that would work for a Christmas gift, decoration or for eating.

I have decided not to use the linky tool but rather if you would include your link in a comment or send it to me in an e-mail, I will then put the link to your blog post in this post. Thank you!

-Please make sure it is family friendly.

- Please link back to this blog. I would love it if you also would display my graphic either in your post or on your sidebar so that others can learn about and join this carnival too.

Please check this out.....

• A Pouf (a very cute 3 foot across pillow!) made by Theresa at "A change to Frugal and Simplistic Living"