FO Posting: Cleaning Set

Here is my latest FOs: Reversile Swiffer Sock, Dust Mitt, Tawashi and Cotton Dishcloth (woven w\ crochet trim). This matching cleaning set was my gift to my Mom for Mothers Day.

First up is the Reversible Swiffer Sock (for dusting & mopping). This is from a pattern on the craftstylish website. The pattern calls for two solid color yarns for a striping effect; but I prefer the way this variegated (Banana Berry {color 0994} Red Heart Super Saver) yarn worked up.

This is a fairly simple pattern... it only takes a few hours (even for a slow hooker like me!)... when first reading the pattern, i couldn't grasp it... but the accompanying pics (with further explanations) made it crystal clear.

This is the view from the top.

According to the the pattern, the acrylic yarn will build up static electricity, which will make the dust and dirt cling to it... so i modified the idea just a bit to make a dust mitt.

I was running out of the variegated yarn and so added stripes in Spring Green and Bright Yellow Red Heart.

(i seem to have a lot of red heart in my stash)

here is the matching tawashi (which is actually the first piece made of this set)... this one is my own design with sc, hdc, dc and 3-stitch bobbles (for a little extra scrubbiness).

and lastly, here is a dishcloth made from two hand-woven (on a weavette-type rectangle loom) rectangles; and trimmed with crochet. this was made in in matching colorways in Lily Sugar'N Cream cotton yarn. (also from my stash)

i think it looks really nice when folded like this

but when unfolded, you can see the yucky looking middle seam... i just stitched the loops together... but it really turned out ugly. i can tell that i need to experiment with connecting the individual woven pieces!

in hindsight, i think i should have trimmed each rectangles with sc and then crocheted them together and then trimmed with crochet.

any advice or suggestions regarding joining handwoven pieces is much welcomed!

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i really liked the eco aspects of using the reversible swiffer sock and am working on one for myself to test the usefulness of these (and waiting on my mom's review); if the results are positive, then i will probably make me about 3 for myself to use.

FOLK-ART CHRISTMAS TREE PIN -- gift idea

here is why it takes me forever to finish a project: i was working on my pinky-brown scarf when i got an idea for a Christmas tree pin... so i had to stop and try it out.

i think that these could be small gifts or maybe trim for gifts.

i made this out of two handwoven squares done on my 4" weave-it loom: 1 green and 1 brown.
(but you could use crochet or knitted squares... or heck, even felt or fabric --- depending on your crafty bent!)

i really like the texture of the woven squares for this project...

fold the green square in half - in a triangle shape -- stitch around to secure double layer

fold the brown square in half - in a rectangle shape -- stitch around to secure double layer

attach the brown (trunk) to the back of the green (tree)... i put the trunk as far up the back as i could... and then attach a pin-back to where it is 4 layers.

turn the tree over and embellish (or decorate) the front... i went with buttons for a folk-art look and topped with a plastic bead for a star... but the decorations can be as elaborate as you want!

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i am still not feeling the best-- so i pretty much stayed on the couch working on my craft projects and watching Picket Fences on my netbook at hulu.com ... i forgot just how much i loved that show!

if you dont know about hulu... you should go check it out, you can watch tv shows and movies for free... there is a pretty big selection... some vintage and some current.

it was perfect for a sick day --- and if i feel this bad tomorrow, i will watch more!

and who knows? i might even finish my scarf!