Author: Caryn

Crochet washcloth

On By CarynIn Craft

I have a new favorite way of making washcloths. Although I love the diagonal knit cloths, I really am a slow knitter. It takes me literally hours to knit one washcloth. Crochet however takes half the time for the same size cloth, and a simple single crochet, chain one pattern is easy to remember and makes cloth with a nice texture that is not so thick that it takes days to dry.

Photo description: Natural white cotton crocheted washcloth with loop.

I use a hook one size bigger than what is recommended on the label, then chain 30. In the second stitch from the hook, single crochet (sc), then chain (ch) 1. Skip a chain loop, and repeat the sc ch1 across. Turn the work, sc in the previous sc, ch1, repeat across. Continue rows until the fabric is square (test by folding it diagonally.) Sc around the outside, making a ch7 loop at one corner. I find 2sc in the other corners is sufficient to turn the corners.

They still play

On By CarynIn Cats, dog

Thor the technical kitten (seven months old) and Missy the dog still play on the living room rug. Here is the most recent video. Here is one where Thor was much smaller. He has grown a bit.

Photo description: Video still of Gray Tabby cat and Black dog laying on a gray and blue rug together.

As long as Thor maintains a healthy weight, he shouldn’t ever outweigh Missy who weighs 20 pounds, but visually he is getting closer in size.

Fate of the pumpkins

On By CarynIn chickens

We get our pumpkins to carve jack-o-lanterns the day before Halloween, then the day after, put them out for the chickens. This is to limit mold growth and decay. I will leave the pumpkins in the runs until the chickens have pecked away what they want, then they go to the compost bin.

Photo description: Natural white pumpkin carved as a happy skull sitting on the dirt with a hen investigating.
Photo description: Carved orange pumpkin with the lid removed sitting on the ground with a hen pecking at the inside of the lid.

String produce bags

On By CarynIn Craft

I have found a use for my knitting looms: string bags. I had some acrylic Luster Sheen yarn by Coats and Clark in my stash, and I probably inherited it since the price tag is from Woolworth for $1.49! It is strong and thin, which is great for string bags. I follow the included instructions to start knitting. These looms recommend a twisted stitch, which also works better for bags as they retain their spacing better. After the first pass, I run the tail through the first round to close off the bag. The end won’t completely close until the fifth round or so, but it is easiest to find the loops after that first yarn over. I then continue to knit until I have about 12 inches of fabric, pulled straight. To finish the bag, I run two lengths of satin cord through the last round to make drawstrings.

Photo description: Small round plastic knitting loom with string bag attached and satin cord hooked through each loop on the pegs.
Photo description: Same loom shown from the top, with two knotted loops coming off opposite sides of the bag.
Photo description: Finished empty string bag with drawstrings closed sitting on a table.
Photo description: String bag filled with four large apples, showing how the twisted loop structure stretches.

National Bison Day

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Happy National Bison Day! As an absolutely shameless plug, here is a link to the Buffalo Wool Company, and their list of ranchers and conservators to help you support the growing bison population and local economies!

Photo description: American Bison in a green pasture with a line of green trees in the background and blue skies. Photo taken by me last year at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center