Saving our planet: making a bag for rags

I recently decluttered my broom cupboard and needed to do something with my collection of rags. I went google searching for patterns for "rag bags" and found this only turned up patchwork with frayed raw edges, so then I tried "bags for rags" and had the same result. There were a couple of patterns based on having coat hangers on the top, but I needed a bag that would hang from a group of hooks, leaving room for other bags.

In the end I designed my own bag based on Leesa Chandler's Pinwheel base bag, as demonstrated on Quilters Companion Issue 52 DVD (Handbag Workshop with Leesa Chandler). She also demonstrates how to draft the pattern for this bag (to whatever size is desired).

I used this pattern and these dimensions for my bag: Draw a rectangle 7 3/4 inches (20 cms) wide and 16 inches (41 cms) long (I extended the sides on the one in the photo below). Then add a triangle to the bottom, with sides 5 1/2 inches (14 cms) long and making 45 degree angles where it meets the rectangle (and a 90 degree angle at the base).

Step one

Cut out 4 sides, making one an extra 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 cms) longer on the side. I used two fat quarters of complementary fabrics.

Then cut the longer piece into 2 pieces, 6 1/2 inches (17 cms) from the top.

Repeat with same process with the lining pieces (I like to use old sheets for linings) and wadding ( I used iron-on pellon as I had some to use up, but in future would choose cotton or bamboo wadding rather than this polyester choice).

 Attach the wadding to the outer bag pieces.

Sew narrow hems on the cut edges of the extra long sides of both the outer bag and lining pieces.

Step two

Sew the base of the bag: Right sides together, join two contrasting pieces together along the bottom slope; repeat with other two pieces. Then sew a seam right across the two joined pieces, making sure that they are aligned to alternate fabrics.

Step three

Join the sides of the bag together: Pin the side with the hemmed split so that the two finished edges are against each other, pinning all this to the adjoining side.

Then work your way around the bag, sewing adjoining sides together.

Make the lining the same way, but leave a gap  near the base of one of the side seams (for turning later).

Step four

Make a cord sleeve: measure around the top of the bag (mine was 28 inches), halve this amount (mine was 14 inches) and add 1 inch to this measurement (mine became 15 inches). Cut two pieces of one of the outer bag fabrics, each measuring 2 inches (5 cms) wide and your final length long (i.e. 15 inches for me). Fold the ends of each length of fabric over 1/2 inch and iron down, then fold each strip in half and iron.

Step five

Joining everything together: insert outer bag into the lining, right sides together (the outer bag will be right side out and the lining inside out). Then line up the seams of the outer bag and the lining, and insert the cord sleeves between the outer bag and the lining, starting in the middle of the fabric that does not have the gap in it. The ends of each sleeve will meet in the middles of this fabric. Sew all the way around the top of the bag.

Turn the bag out through the gap in the lining, and then sew the gap closed.

Step six

Threading the cord through the cord sleeve: Cut two pieces of cord long enough to go all the way around the top of the bag, with extra for tying together into a knot. Thread each through the cord sleeve all the way around the top (I attach the cord to a safety pin for this job), with each cord starting on an alternate side of the bag. Tie the ends together in a knot when the cord is through. Now it is easy to pull the cord up if you pull from each side simultaneously. 

Step seven

Finishing the gap: Turn the bag inside out and pin the lining to the bag at the gap and then hand-sew the two edges together on both sides of the gap.

Remember: When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings you joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. Jean Shinoda Bolen

Walking through the rain

On a recent visit to the Warrumbungles National Park we experienced some showery days but, having come to unwind with some bush-walking, we chose to still venture forth. One of our walks was up to Tara Cave, an Aboriginal Site where grinding grooves could be seen in the rock. However, the walk itself, through showers of rain, had me thinking about finding the strength to walk through the rainy times in our lives – times of personal struggles when life becomes more challenging.

Crossing slippery rocks. During these times we need to navigate with more care.

Staying on the pathway. We need to find a way through our experiences and persevere, believing that we will get through them.

Being aware and present. At these times we need to try to stay focused on now, rather than the past or the future, taking one careful step at a time and being mindful of our surroundings.

Seeing the broader vistas. Widening our viewpoint and feeling part of a larger picture may help us through these times.

Tapping into ancient wisdom. Inner strength comes from former experiences and the wisdom of others.

Taking care on slippery boardwalks. Self-care becomes important too, as well as insight into threats and dangers.

Cloudy and softened vistas. Seeking comfort and time-out from the starkness of the experience helps us to survive.

Seeing the rainbows. Difficult times are often learning experiences that can strengthen our characters.

Feeling cleansed. After we have made it through the rain, we may feel cleansed and renewed.

Puddles left behind. We can leave the residues of the experiences behind us and move on into a new day.

Remember: The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.       Socrates

Saving our planet: knitting pot dividers

For years I have used pieces of grip matting between plates, saucepans and other cooking gear in the caravan but, when I came across this pattern for knitting plate dividers, I replaced the matting with these. They mould better between lids and pots/ casseroles and are more durable. I also decided to use the knitted dividers in my pot drawer to protect non-stick surfaces when saucepans and frypans were stacked.

The basic pattern

Initially I used  Free Pattern 11 – Knitlist Lacy Round Dishcloth from the Perfect One-Ounce Dishcloth blog to make the smallest size (7 inches or 18 cm across).

This pattern can be found here:

http://perfectdishcloth.blogspot.com/2013/11/free-pattern-11-knitlist-lacy-round.html

Making larger dividers

The original divider was too small for some of my pots and casserole dishes, so I came up with a way of using the basic pattern to make both a middle-sized divider (with a diameter of 11 inches or 28 cm) and a large one (with a diameter of 13 inches or 33 cm).

For the middle size: cast on 24 stitches instead of 15, and work as follows:

Row 1:     K3, yon, K20, turn

Row 2:     Sl 1, K23

Row 3-6   Rep rows 1 & 2 twice

Row 7:     Cast off 3, K2, yo, K17, turn

Row 8:     Sl 1, K 20

Row 9:     K3, yon, K 17

Row 10:   Repeat row 8

Row 11:   Repeat row 9

Row 12:   Repeat row 8

Row 13:   Cast off 3, K2, yon, K14, turn

Row 14:   Sl 1, K 17

Row 15:   K3, yon, K14

Row 16:   Rep row 14

Row 17:   Rep row 15

Row 18:   Rep row 14

Row 19:   Cast off 3, K2, yon, K11, turn

Row 20:   Sl 1, K 14

Row 21:   K3, yon, K 11

Row 22:   Rep row 20

Row 23:   Rep row 21

Row 24:   Rep row 20

Row 25:   Cast off 3, K2, yon, K 8, turn

Row 26:   Sl 1, K 11

Row 27:   K3, yo, K8

Row 28:   Rep row 26

Row 29:   Rep row 27

Row 30:   Rep row 26

Row 31:   Cast off 3, K2, yo, K5, turn

Row 32:   Sl 1, K8

Row 33:   K3, yo, K5

Row 34:   Rep row 32

Row 35:   Rep row 33

Row 36:   Rep row 32

Row 37:   Cast off 3, K to end, including all slipped stitches

Row 38:   K 24

You may need to do more pattern repeats/ sections to make a comfortable circle (I did 8 (i.e 7 repeats) for the medium size and 7 (i.e 6 repeats) for the large.

To make the large size, cast on 30 stitches, K3, yo, K 29 on first row and then continue as for pattern above, reducing the number of stitches by 3 after each cast off 3, K2, yo, K (3 less), turn row, but keep going until you get down to Cast off 3, K2, yo, K5, turn, and then do the last rows the same way.

Re-purposing the grip matting

This can be used to make jar openers. The Happiest Camper gives instructions and a tutorial on her blog, and this can be found here:

https://happiestcamper.com/jar-opener-easy-sewing-project/

Healthy relationships

Yesterday was World Social Work Day and the theme was “Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships”.  So, in acknowledgement of this, I thought I would share some thoughts on healthy relationships, as relationships can be hurtful, abusive, manipulative etc. and these are not the kinds of relationship’s that we want to promote.

What tells us that we are in a healthy relationship

Sometimes we need to rely on gut feelings, and these might include feeling happy and contented, feeling cared about and well cared for, and still feeling able to care for ourselves. Whereas, an unhealthy relationship is usually one-sided and our needs are usually not being met.

What makes a healthy relationship

These are aspects of a healthy relationship:

• Trust – that we can be free to be ourselves, be loved for who we are, and allow the other person to be the same, and to be able to have fun together.  We will keep our promises.
• Good communication – we need to be open and honest, listen to each other, and not act on assumptions without checking whether or not they are correct. We will be able to negotiate issues and differences.
• Equality and fairness – our needs will be balanced, rather than focusing only on the needs of  one person. Shared values make it easier to meet needs. We will share the load and help each other.
• Time – time will be made for each other and for joint activities, which will be planned together.
• Mutual respect – for similarities and differences, for each other’s interests and for other important people in each other’s lives. We will build each other up by encouragement and appreciation of each other’s strengths and interests. We will be considerate of each other.
• Space – all good relationships allow for space from each other, both physically and emotionally, and this is granted in a spirit of trust.
• Responsibility – this will be shared, both in terms of daily tasks and building and maintaining the relationship, and in resolving conflict based on a win-win approach. We will do things for each other and care about each other.
• Safety – we need to feel safe with each other, both physically and emotionally.
• Support – we need to provide support to each other in both good times and during challenging times, to build up each other’s strengths and to cultivate genuine friendship. We will help each other, share the load and be there for each other.

 Unhelpful messages

We may have experienced unhealthy relationships and thus be carrying messages telling us that we do not deserve to be in a healthy relationship, and these may include:

• Feeling that we are not worthy and don’t deserve to be happy or listened to
• Low self-esteem and lack of self-worth
• Being pushed around by doubts
• Believing negative messages that we have been constantly told
• Others telling us that we don’t deserve a good relationship
• Feeling that we are no-one and don’t count
• Thinking that we don’t have control over our lives

To stop being pushed around by these messages it can be helpful to work on building more self-respect, take time to heal from past unhealthy relationships, get points of view from others who care about us, and challenge the messages to re-program our brains.

Strengths to help us seek healthy rather than unhealthy relationships

These include giving ourselves encouragement and hope, being tolerant, forgiving both ourselves and others, renewing ourselves to be someone who has respect for ourselves rather than being walked all over, having insight into what makes a good and bad relationship, trusting in ourselves, love, friendship, honesty, respect, courage, being at peace with ourselves, understanding our feelings and why we feel this way, accepting ourselves and having curiosity to seek out other kinds of people to be with.

Remember: Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. (Anonymous)

Saving our planet: some unexpected finds

Recently, whilst travelling around in our caravan (and escaping the heat at home) we have come across some lovely cottage industries that produce products that help to preserve the resources of our planet.

Eden Eco Products

This is a small business in Eden that distributes metal straws (complete with cleaning brushes), bamboo toothbrushes, re-usable shopping and produce bags and beeswax wraps. They don't have a shop-front, but offer a mail-order service, have stalls at local markets and sell some products through other local outlets.

They can be found here:

https://edenecos.com.au/

Yesteryear Plantations

A home-based business tucked up in the ranges near Batlow, that sells Eucalyptus based products from oil produced in their own still from trees on their property. It is possible to buy directly from them by following gravel roads out of Batlow (an interesting and scenic drive to a lovely location on top of a mountain, which overlooks the waters of Blowering Dam), but they also sell by mail-order and through other local outlets (including Tumut Visitor's Information Centre).

This is their website: 

https://www.yesteryearplantations.com.au/

Tumut Broom Factory

Straw brooms are hand-made from Millet in this factory and it is possible to watch the process whilst visiting. Single,quality, long-lasting brooms can be purchased here, but it is only possible for them to to mail order at least 12 at a time.

More information can be found here:

https://tumutbroomfactory.com/

Saving our planet: knitting cotton dishcloths

Knitted cotton dishcloths have become so popular that there are now myriads of patterns on the internet. These dishcloths replace wettex and chux etc, are much more durable and can be placed in the compost when worn out. They can be used for washing up, wiping benches, washing people (instead of washers) and as general cleaning cloths. They can be thrown in the washing machine and washed numerous times. What is not to like about them?

Below I have featured some of my favourite patterns (they are all free) and given links to them.

Ripples

This was knitted in 8 ply cotton, but would work with two balls of 4 ply cotton of the same colour used together.

The pattern can be found here:

https://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Ripples_Dishcloth__D55836220.html

Mock Honeycomb

This is a fun stitch to do and quite easy once you get the hang of it. This was also knitted in 8 ply cotton, which is probably easier than trying to use 2 strands of 4 ply together.

The pattern can be found here (click on the words "available for free"):

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mock-honeycomb-dishcloth

Diamond Brocade

An easy pattern knitted in 8 ply cotton, but would work with two strands of the same coloured 4 ply used together.

This is the link:

https://knittingunlimited.blogspot.com/2016/08/dishcloth-6-diamond-brocade.html

Waffle Weave

I have made this one up in many colour variations, usually using two strands of 4 ply cotton together in complementary colours, as the pattern lends itself well to this. Stripes of a contrasting colour can also be used.

The pattern can be found here:

https://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html

Leaf Lace

For something a little less utilitarian, this is a lovely pattern to try. I did this one with two strands of the same coloured 4 ply.

Here is the pattern(once again click on "free Ravelry download"):

 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leaf-lace-washcloth

Butterflies and Hearts

There are many patterns that use purl and plain stitches to create pictures, and I searched for butterflies and hearts dishcloth patterns to use in a lap rug for my granddaughter (another use for dishcloth patterns, but this time knitted with wool). This was the result, and I have listed links to some of the patterns below:

Butterfly dishcloth by Emily Jagos:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/butterfly-dishcloth-3

Butterfly dish or face cloth knitting pattern by Barbara Brieter;

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/clothbutterfly2.htm

Lacy Butterfly dishcloth by Rachael van Schie:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-butterfly-dishcloth

A Valentine Surprise "Be My Dishcloth" by Kris Knits:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/be-my-dishcloth

The mauve lace heart squares came from "Sweethearts Baby Blanket" by Anjela Govan, which was on Ravelry, but unfortunately is no longer available.

Dishcloths are small projects that are fun to knit and give us the chance to try out many different patterns.

Remember: Knitting is relaxing and good for time-out from more arduous tasks.