Simple Chores, Big Benefits…

January 22, 2014

One of my favorite chores is something that many people will do almost anything to avoid.  I simply like to wash dishes.  To me, there’s nothing like being elbow-deep in a big sinkful of hot sudsy water.  This is where I manage to sneak in some “alone” time to ponder personal problems, world events, formulate life goals, or sing to the top of my lungs as I methodically wash every inch of the dish that I happen to be tackling.  (I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts that my life occasionally mirrors “I Love Lucy” episodes and that is sadly apparent when I sing.)  When planning the ongoing kitchen renovation at our house, Charming offered me the choice of getting a bright and shiny dishwasher or having more cabinet space.  Without hesitation, I immediately opted to go for more cabinet space. 

Our local thrift shop has “Bag Days” for $5/bag.  You go into the shop, pick up a plastic kitchen trash bag at the cashier’s counter, and go on a treasure hunt throughout the store.  I often find decent baking dishes, cookie sheets, enamelware and plastic trays.  (Charming uses the plastic trays to catch excess water from seedling pots that we start every year in February.)  I bring my bag home and dump its contents into a sink of hot soapy water.  I then take my hand-knitted scrubbies (see below) and scrub to my heart’s content.  Usually, these items are almost unrecognizable as the items I had just gotten from the thrift store.   This is like getting new dishes and cooking pans practically for free.  I consider this “the thinking woman’s cocaine”.  For me, it’s addictive.  I save tons of money and get my “fix” at the same time.  It’s a win-win situation.

Scrubbie Instructions (can be knitted or crocheted):

Materials:

2 Yards Nylon Netting (I got mine from Walmart for $.98/yard...will make several scrubbies)

Size 8 or 9 knitting needles OR Size H crochet hook (really any size needles or hook will work)

Read all instructions before cutting the nylon netting.  Strips should be cut into 1” to 2” strips.  To avoid having to join strips, cut each length to within 1 ½” to the end of the fabric.  This will allow you to have a continuous strip to knit or crochet.  (See first picture below.)

Cast on approximately 16 stitches to knit (or chain 16 for crochet).  Knit each row until piece is the size you want.  Bind off and weave in ends.  If you’re crocheting the scrubbie, single crochet in each stitch, with a chain 1 at the end of each row.  Continue until piece is the size you want, then finish by pulling the length of netting through the final loop and weaving in ends.

Note that it is not easy on your hands to knit or crochet a 2” wide strip of nylon netting, so you may want to use thinner strips.  I’ve made quite a few of these and don’t have any problems, but some people say that making these can be painful while you’re knitting or crocheting them.

When you pair these scrubbies with a knitted or crocheted dishcloth, a bottle of dish detergent (either store-bought or home made), arranged in a small thrift shop basket, and tied with a bow will make a quick and heart-felt gift for a bridal shower, craft show, or raffle item, etc.