Thursday, June 21, 2007

Poolside Dishcloth Interlude

Ball Band Dish Cloths in Sugar 'n Cream
'Late to the party' doesn't even begin to cover it. Yes, I have finally discovered the pleasure of the Mason-Dixon Ball Band Dishcloth...about a year later. But that's par for the course for me. I didn't ever see even one single episode of American Idol until early this May, at which time my brother was gobsmacked by my very original and perceptive observation that 'Simon is so mean'. I didn't try a mojito until sometime late last August, and as you might recall, only joined the toe-up, magic loop sock club sometime earlier this month. Sheesh, how sad. Next I'll be gushing about an amazing pattern called 'Clapotis' and a neat blog by someone named 'the Yarn Harlot'...pathetic examples of my permanent state of behindness aside, these dish clothes are perfection. You begin them and finish them in one and half sittings. They allow you to experiment with different colors while perfecting your slip stitch technique. The yarn costs about $1.39/ ball. I have made three so far and plan on making about 5 more to go in the last minute (re)gifting zone, a special shelf for items that will make excellent last minute presents. You can also knit these babies pool side, so when your husband spills his drink on your pool bag, the damage is minimal. I have included gratuitous poolside shots of the junior set, just for kicks:
Tween thingPeeper-lou
Speaking of the junior set, on Monday they are off to Ireland to see the best band ever and then on to Morocco with their dad and his family. I am very excited for them but am dreading their absence. Once the thrill of walking around the house completely naked wears off, I am going to be at loose ends without them, and no amount of knitting will change that. If you want to see Peeper-Lou in action, the Letsknit2gether video podcast was just updated and her 'I knit with corn' interview is the very last item, check her out!

I am sure many of you are Socks that Rock club member--have you received this month's yarn yet? Upon opening the package, I gasped at the utter gorgeousness of the yarn. I have been severely underwhelmed by the first two patterns and yarn, but June's installment has finally made me feel like I'm not a total idiot lemming for having plunked down that cash back in January.

40 comments:

Olga said...

The socks that rock club always seemed like the Holy Grail to me of sock fetishs, but I've seen on several blogs how bummed they are over the kits. That was a small comfort to me 'cus otherwise I'd be soooo very jealous. And MOROCCO?wow. Funnie how you can't live with 'em and can't live without 'em.

Beverly said...

This post CRACKED me up! Clapotis...sounds like something I should check out, lol!

Anonymous said...

Funny, I've been wishing for dish rags too! I also caught a glimpse of the Mason-Dixon bath mat (Absorba???) up on Ravelry, and I'm thinking that I may need one of those too. I'm way way way late to that party. Their next book is going to be out before I get my copy.

sophanne said...

I swear to you that I DID NOT read your blog before I posted this afternoon- I am just starting magic loopiness in the coming weeks and I just discovered the Knit2gether video podcast in search of instruction. I'm guessing I'm about a month behind you- I've not experienced the ball band dischloth and I remember reading something about clapotis but didn't know what the big deal was. I guess we'll be talking about monkey socks in December or so, yes?

I did, however, know that Simon was mean but when I read Stephanie McPhee's books, I didn't connect that she was the "Yarn Harlot" everyone was blogging about-in spite of the book called "Yarn Harlot."

Anonymous said...

Wow! Ireland, Morocco? I'm seriously jealous of the junior set. Great dishcloths! I'll be behind with you since I've yet to knit them or the clap.

Heather said...

LOVE the dishcloths. They're so much fun, and they look impressive, though they're so easy.

Anonymous said...

Hilarious post. Great dishcloths. Lucky kids - stay strong mama. x

Sonya said...

Love your washclothes! I hope you don't have too tough of a time while your kids are gone. I was looking forward to time alone when Kevin was gone for a few days last year. I was a loose ends pretty quick too.

Anonymous said...

Based on this post, I think you'd really like this cool series of books about a boy wizard. You might also be interested in this new show on HBO about a mob family. Oh, and I think you'd look great if you got a haircut like Rachel from Friends.

Just teasing! This post cracked me up.

YawnOver said...

I'm lovin' them thar warshrags. I have ogled them previously and now that the summer class I was to teach was cancelled (sigh...so sad) I just might find the time. Great colors!!

Faith said...

Don't beat yourself up about it! They look great and this post is hysterical.

Anonymous said...

What a great post and such adorable kiddies!

Kirsten said...

Ha!
I do love those warshrags though.
You are 100% right about all of it, the quickness, the cheap-o price, the joy of the colors. . . it's all good!

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

I am SO envious of your kids. The BEST band ever indeed, they are my of stuck on a desert island what do you want on your ipod band. Morocco sounds none too shabby either. Nice Warshrag. I'm late to that party as well.

...Sarah said...

Speaking from experience at being behind the times, I say, wow what a cool dish rag pattern, I may have to try it sometime.

Those colours are excellent.

Angela said...

I was so exited when I updated iTunes and saw that Letsknit2gether was finally up. I'm about to watch the girls' interview! Got my STR club shipment today. I really love this colorway, too. I've yet to knit the others...talk about lagging behind.

Karen said...

Ah well, better late than never, I always say!! (Coming from the girl who hasn't knit Jaywalkers yet - LOL)

I'm not in the STR club, so I clicked on your picture to ogle the yarn. OMG, it's awesome!!!

pamela wynne said...

You know, I've never read the Mason-Dixon gals' blog or book (though the FOs I've seen are lovely), and I'm only a few inches in on my first Clapotis. I think, if there's enough of us, we're not late to The Party -- we're having our OWN party (you know, for late and clueless folks, who are more fun to party with than the overachievers anyhow). :)

Theresa said...

Perfect for the pool!

Melissa said...

I'm always way behind too! The ball bands are so fun to knit!
Now I'm off to google the June STR club and see the gorgeous yarn!

iSeL said...

So THAT is where the beautiful colorway is coming from. I was wondering about that, as I've seen it popping up here and there and of course, it's not on their Web site. Yes, I am one of those weirdos who doesn't belong to the club. *sigh*

Hopefully, you'll find plenty things to do while the kiddos are gone.

Super cute dishcloths!

WonderMike said...

Dude, I cannot believe that the kiddies get to play with R.E.M. in Ireland. Lucky pups! And, honey, it doesn't matter what time you arrive at the party, just that there's enough champagne for your St. Germain float. MmmmmmKAY?!!! I think your new name should be the NAKED KNITTER.

WonderMike said...

Or better yet: The Nekkid Knitter

Anonymous said...

Walking around the house naked is overrated! I miss my kids soooo much (away at college). I've yet to knit the dishcloths, monkey socks, or clapotis. I think I'll wait five years or so... don't want to be too trendy! Your dishcloths are gorgeous; love the color combos.

Lone Knitter said...

I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one who hasn't even looked at the Clap pattern yet. I guess with a name like "clap," well, I've been avoiding it.

Anonymous said...

LMAO @ walking around your house nekkid. There is something to be said of a quiet house where there once was chaos. Knitting poolside sounds a-okay to me!!! Hope you enjoy your 'alone time' to contemplate and get some good knitting done!

Romi said...

Hee. I still haven't watched American Idol. Not a single show. See? And I won't even begin to tell you about the other stuff I haven't done. I am way way *way* more pathetically behind the times than you! So don't even think of giving me a run for my crown. ;)

Nice dishcloths, btw. Where did you get the pattern? ;)

schrodinger said...

Don't worry, you're not as behind as I am, never done the dishcloths - ever. Or the clapotis - maybe it's not being behind, it's more allowing others to be beta testers :)

Zaz said...

you're welcome, and thank you for leaving a comment under camelia.
i've just enabled this feature in blogger that sent your comment to my email box, so cool!
i've uploaded camille modeling her headband too.
i don't usually make items for kids, but well...

Zarzuela said...

Love the dishcloths! And now you'll have to excuse me while I squirm in my chair with jealousy at the thought of someone seeing my favorite band in the entire UNIVERSE in Ireland no less, without ME! :( But don't worry, I'll get over it in a couple of days. ;)

Jessica

a friend to knit with said...

Ireland? REM? How lucky are they!!!!
Havn't done a washcloth, but should....yours are great!

nicole said...

Dishcloths? Nope.
Clapotis? Not yet.
Toe-ups? Nuh uhhh...
Magic loop? Wtf is that?
STR club? I wish!

Listen, I just finally figured out what bloglines was, so I think I got you beat.

LOVE the corn video! Hang in there while your shoobies are away :)

Unknown said...

Hope they girls have a great time on their trip, I'm sure they will miss you too. Maybe you can come to the Point if you need to fill the hours.....

carrie said...

i was late to the dishcloths, too, but aren't they adorable?
sorry you'll miss the kids, but how great that they get to see r.e.m.? i have a soft spot because my first "date" date with the boyfriend was an r.e.m. show.

Anonymous said...

Those colors, that pattern -- combined, they almost make me want to do dishes.h

Anonymous said...

heh heh. if it makes you feel any better, i still have not seen an episode of american idol. my co-workers all stared blankly at me when i revealed that fact during a lunch break.
the dishcloths look great. i imagine it's hard to use them though. i'd hate to get dirt all over all that pretty.

Dove Knits said...

If it helps, I haven't made one of these yet!

KnitPastis said...

I will be right over to go hang out around the pool with ya:)
Very nice and colorful wash-rags. I do believe I am the only one who hasn't knitted one of these beauties yet.

Anonymous said...

Oh boy--your family does summer right! Don't forget to graze directly from the fridge. With your fingers.

Anonymous said...

Love those dishcloths! I've been using mine that I made last year almost every day. They still look really great too. Maybe time for me to knit some new ones?!

Lucky kids to see R.E.M.- my all-time favorite band. What an experience for them!