Podcasts

Over the past few weeks, I have been an avid fan of listening to various pod casts while knitting or sewing on projects. There is so much to learn from such a diverse group of talented people, that I find myself tuning in to cached programs on my iPod while also trying to do something somewhat productive. (I must admit that I also play Scrabble on the internet while listening) Scrabble Link

One podcast that is new to me is from Marble Falls, Texas, the “Hill Country” of Texas, hosted by Rhonda Bell. Since I am a Texas native, and my sister lives in Austin, her locale holds special interest for me. Her pod casts go back over the past two years, so I am going to record all the back casts for future listening.

Take a look at her website and maybe listen to a pod cast; she hosts them in a friend-to-friend atmosphere, like you were chatting over coffee:

Rhonda's Knitting Pod Cast

On her website, take a look at these free patterns which she has garnered:

Free Patterns

And another site for People Who Knit and Also Love Books: Knit Lit is a fun site since host Heather Ordover has a professional read classical books in the latter part of her program. It is sponsored by Knitting Out Loud, Knitting Audiobooks.

And I cannot forgot to give a hoot out to Kelley Petkun, another favorite podcaster whose program "Knit Picks" is also on my iPod iTunes podcatcher.

Knit Picks

Take a listen; you will probably get hooked!

Knitting Face Cloths

Knitting dishcloths is a great past time while watching television, especially when "Fox News" goes on just a bit too long in our living room.

Use 100% cotton yarn (various brands found at WalMart or your local hobby store). Sugar and Cream is a popular ball of wound cotton and comes in many single and variegated colors.

The problem I have after finishing the DISHCLOTHS is that I do not want to get those pretty colors “dirtied” by dishwater residue. So, I use them as luxurious FACE cloths. It is a simple treat to use one at night for makeup removal with a nicely scented soap. The knitted texture of the cotton cloth gives just enough of an abrasive quality to make you feel like you have given a good wash to your skin. Throw them in the washer after use, but do let them AIR DRY.

After making several dozen, and giving them to grateful girlfriends, you might try using a more pricy yarn incorporating some wool into the fiber. This type would not be used for a face cloth, but could be used as a coaster.

Here is a link to many dishcloth patterns:

Dishcloths

My favorite pattern is the first one listed on this web site entitled “Idiot’s Dishcloth”. It has been around a long time, and is one of those patterns that has been handed down for several generations.

These are addictive to make. My sister-in-law and I chuckle over our time spent knitting and crocheting these useful(err...useless?) articles.

Easter Eggs in Paper Mache

The paper mache eggs pictured below the chocolate rabbits were made by my daughters in the 1970’s when they were little children. Carefully packed, the eggs have survived over the years in my “Easter decorations box”. Instructions on how to make these are include in the link:

Making Tissue Paper Eggs

Not remembering back that far, we must have done some variation on that How-To theme using colorful tissue paper.

Each spring, I bring them out and display them (this year they reside in a new felted bowl discussed in a post to this blog last week).

Have a Blessed Easter.