Comments on: Episode 84: Industrial Fashion

By: Susan Q.

Susan Q. — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:59:13 +0000

I’m just catching up on your podcasts, but my suggestion regarding disinfecting sponges that requires no chemicals is to put a wet sponge in the microwave (on high) for 1 minute. It will very very hot when it comes out, but will kill the germs.

By: Hunter

Hunter — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:47:08 +0000

I was listening to the last series of cast on in anticipation of the new series (what, addicted, me — nonsense). I heard your request for a sponge alternative and thought I’d try.

Well, what is a sponge but a super thick rectangle? We knitters know how to knit rectangles! Even the most modest of us can do that. The thick aspect is the only potential issue. Even that is not a real challenge.

I grabbed some dish cotton and pulled off ten pieces, each about ten yards long. Then I knit with all ten pieces held together. Yes, it was a bit cumbersome. You need to use STURDY needles, I used a size 6. Cast on 10 stitches, knit every row for 8 rows. Knit a bit loosely, as it will shrink up when you wash it. Cast off.

You aren’t likely to weave in the ends in any really subtle way, so I just tied them in loops so I could hang the wet sponge to dry.

Washable, properly spongy (mine really is as thick as a kitchen sponge), the garter ridges are nice and scrubby, adjustable for whatever size you want, and takes about half an hour. Kinda nifty. Don’t know that it’s biodegradable, but it should last a long long time.

By: Corinne Appleton

Corinne Appleton — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:06:11 +0000

Hi, Brenda – I’ve been a big fan of your podcast for about a year or 2 now. I describe your show as the “Knitters NPR” I was listening to this episode on my iTouch on the plane flying back between Massachusetts and Virginia, where I live in a ‘burb of Dc. BTW, I spent $$ at 2 lovely LYS on my overnight trip in Salem, Mass and Portsmouth, NH – gotta support those LYS!. Anyway – focus, Corinne! – you mentioned a sweater pattern from Ravelry that can be made with only 400 yards of worsted weight yarn. I looked but don’t see the pattern – can you direct us devotees to the link?
Thanks, and LOVE your show, babe!

By: Alanna

Alanna — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:48:49 +0000

Brenda,
Found this and immediately thought of your podcast. Perhaps the economy is coming full circle. Whereas 150 years ago, people craved things made by technology. As these things become more accessible, the “new luxury” will be hand made, according to this article….

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/trends-new-luxury-open-book-trends

By: Josie P

Josie P — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:51:31 +0000

I was listening to Kim Werkers rant and yet again really wish they were included in written form in the notes but shes really got me thinking about style, or more specifically my style.

I do love how your podcast makes me think!

By: Felix

Felix — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:59:51 +0000

Hi Brenda,

I am back from my offline holidays and finally getting a chance to catch up on everything here! Thanks for the mention; it was great to meet you in real life having become a pretty ardent Cast On fan over the past few years and I am excited to see how the Liesl in lettuce comes out!
It’s also fantastic to hear that you are going to get some time on the plinth and I will keep up with your plans for that via Rav.

Re: this great podcast, Kim Werken’s brilliant words on Crochet borders really struck a chord with me, especially after reading this post on the redoubtable Prick Your Finger blog:

http://prickyourfinger.blogspot.com/2009/07/stop-mugging-south-east-asian.html

…and the general theme of stash-busting which reminded me a lot of the post on the Mason Dixie blog on the theme of ’stitches per dollar is the new gauge”:

http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2009_08.html#002704

and with the sponge idea… well I knit a small scrubber from really, really, *really* rough Rough Fell Sheep fleece which is great for scrubbing at some things and does a job similar to the scratchy dark-green part of the sponge to which you refer, and I use tea-towels for wiping and washing everything because they are gorgeous and VERY easy to wash. Don’t know if that helps, but I’ll keep you posted; the ultimate handmade washing/scrubbing kitchen items collection is one of my back-burner projects.

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:09:47 +0000

Just started listening to your podcasts – I am really enjoying them, didn’t know what I had been missing, and have a lot of catching up to do.

Like Alison from australia, I was wondering if you could let us know the name of the fabric shop you visited, sounds interesting and as I am up to London later in the month I’d love to add it to the list of Yarn/craft shops I’m hoping to visit. Thanks

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:37:56 +0000

What’s the name of the sweater you mentioned at the start? Leisel? Leesel? I tried to look it up in Rav and can’t find it.

By: Josie P

Josie P — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:45:28 +0000

I’m in love with the Adult Surprise Jacket but am yet to find a UK stockist of the pattern. I thought I would ask on the off chance you knew of one?

By: lynn

lynn — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:55:33 +0000

My aunt (Dad’s side) taught me how to crochet last month. Have been exploring the Tawashi options on ravelry, but only as an onlooker. We don’t use dishcloths, so your quesion about sponge alternatives pushed me to try, and I’ve attempted a homemade “sponge” substitute using cotton and plarn. Not perfectly biodegradable, but re-uses plastic bags that we are given at every purchase in the USA, rather than throwing into the landfill. I suppose the cotton would eventually deteriorate. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mknits/tawashi-dish-sponge-version-20