Friday, May 15, 2009

the humble dishcloth...

It's interesting to see how passionate people become on the subject of knit/crochet dishcloths.

They seem to either LOVE the handmade dishcloth... or HATE it! Either they can't get enough of them... or they can't imagine anything more repulsive. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Which side of the fence do you stand on???

Until a couple of years ago, I hadn't even heard of a knitted dishcloth...

When I did hear about them... my response was UGH! Why make something beautiful, and then subject it to kitchen duties like that??? It made no sense to me.

But there are so many people around who LOVE their dishcloths. In the end, I decided that I had to try them... so that I could make an informed decision.

Well... I'm now converted!

LOVE the humble dishcloth and all that it represents. I had a friend visiting with his daughter a litle while back... and at one point he needed a dishcloth to wipe up a kiddie mess at the table. I passed him one of my fabulous creations... and he BURST OUT LAUGHING!!! and said "OMG... this looks just like something you would find at great aunt betty's house!"

I'm not entirely sure that it was meant to be a compliment... but I took it as one. I love that it has an old world charm, reminiscent of days gone by... and a simpler lifestyle.

Recently I made a dishcloth as part of a 'prize pack' for my local craft group. There will be lots of different cloths in the pack... all of which will look fabulous.

But I wanted mine to jump out from the others. Not to be bigger or grander or fancier than the others... I just wanted it to distinctly say:

"I WAS MADE BY LAUGHING PURPLE GOLDFISH"

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  • there's lots of colours... because I can never choose just one
  • a simple design... just the way I like it... easy to make, and you don't need much pattern detail when you have all those colours
  • it has a tasseled trim... so I didn't have to weave in any ends
  • and made from recycled materials.. of course!
  • plus it has a scrappy quality to it... which I adore


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11 comments:

Dawn said...

It certainly states I was made by Laughing purple!!!! It is fantastic, so simple but fantastic!!

Anonymous said...

It's absolutely gorgeous. You've inspired me - I'm going to make my own now too! :) x

Sam said...

Yes, definitely you! Love the stripes and the tassles :-)

I was going to be making a single colour one, but I might have to try stripes now!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love it !! Whoever wins will definitely think of you when they use it :-) Stra xxx

Stephanie said...

I LOVE handmade dishcloths. I like to make them, and use them.

I completely agree with Dawn... your dishcloth has Laughing Purple Goldfish ALL over it! :)

Liisa said...

I'm definitely on the side of handmade dishcloths! But instead of knitting... Tunisian crochet. My handmades are stronger and more absorbent than anything I could buy. Hooray for handmade!

Dicentra said...

Neat!! I'm totally on a knit washcloth kick right now. They are satisfying b/c I can knit one up in just a couple nights. Hubby says they are "too pretty to use" but I love how I can just toss them in the wash when they get icky.

Sandra said...

Love your dishcloth! I crochet mine as well, they're eco-friendly.

Your friend certainly said a compliment, back then things were more meaningful from my point of view. Anything was more tasteful, they didn't have those massively produced items, things were chosen carefully or made with love for each household.

Let me tell you it's not humble at all, mine are plain squares made with just one color or two at the most, I try to fancy them with the stitch chosen for each one. Yours look trendy.

CraftyCarole said...

i LOVE my dishcloths... so does my husband. You make me want to learn to crochet. And it SCREAMS laughing purple goldfish. I love your blog.. thanks so much

Emily n fam said...

Love it! I am going to go make one right now!

laughing purple goldfish said...

thanks everyone... I'll put some details up soon of how I made it... for those of you who prefer to work from a pattern