"Re-Purposing": A T-Shirt into a Kitchen Dish Rag

You know how I mentioned that I want to start tackling the clutter around my house and either re-purposing it or getting rid of it? I love to crochet, so at long last I have gotten around to trying out some ideas I've seen on Pinterest. One idea I've wanted to try was cutting t-shirts into "yarn" and crocheting them into different things. I had several men's undershirts that needed to be thrown out, and I need some new dish rags, so I tried my hand at it this weekend. And I loved the results. Two undershirts has produced four nicely textured rags for me to wipe up messes in my kitchen (or off my toddler...). Here's what I did:

Supplies:
- One old shirt (I used a ribbed undershirt)
- Sewing scissors (or any sharp scissors)
- Large crochet hook (I used a size K)

Making the "Yarn": (20 minutes, but time may vary)
- Start cutting at the bottom. If there is a bulky seam/hem, cut it off.
- I cut the "yarn" about 1/4" wide... With this material, I wouldn't go any skinnier. You can experiment and make it thicker if you want.
- Continue cutting around and around to keep the "yarn" continuous.
- When you get up under the armpits, you can decide if you want to stop there, or use the front & back, too. If you do, cut it like a "z" so it's still continuous.
- Roll your "yarn" into a ball.

Crocheting the Dish Rag (appr. 8"x8" for mine, about 20-30 minutes):
Row 1: Chain(ch) 19.
Row 2: Turn and single crochet(sc) in the 2nd chain from hook, all the way across (18 stitches total). Ch 3 and turn.
Row 3: Double crochet (dc) in second stitch from hook all the way across (18 stitches total when you count the first  ch. 3 as a dc). Ch 1 and turn.
Row 4: Sc in 1st stitch from hook, all the way across (again, your total should be 18... I keep counting when I crochet so I make sure I don't lose a stitch along the way and then have intended square become a fan-shape). Chain 3 and turn.
Rows 5-14: Repeat rows 3 & 4. Cut your yarn about 2" and tie off, then weave the dishcloth into some of your stitches. (one shirt made two washclothes for me)

If you used a shirt that is 100% cotton and white, you should have no problems bleaching it! And it won't scratch your pots & pans, and should provide some great texture for those stubborn spots of dried food on the counters!

Enjoy! If you have any questions, just let me know, and I will try to get back with you as soon as possible!

"Re-Purposing": A 2012 Priority

Over the last month, I have tried to spend time thinking over some of my "Priorities" for 2012. One of them is "re-purposing" items around the house (that I'm no longer using, or rarely use), to meet a need we currently have. Living within our family budget is rewarding & challenging. I love how we live (most days), but it takes intentionally and focusing on priorities to stay on track!

As we prepared for the arrival of our daughter in October (she's almost 4 months now!!!), we had to start clearing out areas of the house to make more room. I was amazed at the various items that surfaced: some of them went immediately into our garage sale boxes in the garage, but others have found new ways to be used again. 

I personally learn a lot from friends & other moms online, so I figured I can start incorporating ways to share things I'm "re-purposing" around the house, and y'all can share ideas, too! One of the books I read in January was Money Saving Mom's Budget*, and I was challenged by the concept of "de-cluttering". So I've started tackling each room in my house, one by one. The book suggests doing it in a day, but for me that hasn't been realistic (and I'm trying to get better about not putting unrealistic expectations on myself!). One room at a time has been successful and encouraging!

Have you "re-purposed" anything recently around your house?

* This is NOT my affiliate/referral link, it is the link from Money Saving Mom's website, because 100% of the proceeds of her book go to support Compassion International. If you share this book with friends online on Facebook/Twitter/Blog, share Money Saving Mom's link and not your own Amazon affiliate link, to honor the author's desire to support this wonderful ministry!