Grandma's Favorite Knit Dishcloth Pattern

Can you believe we're on Week 6 of 52 Weeks of Dishcloths? I'm so happy so many of you are joining me on this fun knit and crochet adventure. If you'd like to play catch-up or missed any of the previous weeks, click HERE or on the 52 WEEKS OF DISHCLOTHS tab at the top of the page.

Today's dishcloth pattern is another family favorite…

I'm sure you've seen this pattern before. It's a simple, classic knit dishcloth that is worked from corner to corner. It works quickly for a knit, unless you have a baby that needs your attention every time you pick up your needles, like some people. ;) This is the dishcloth I remember my grandmothers and mother using. It's been passed down to me and now I'm passing it along to you!

I used this gorgeous Cotton Hemp yarn from Martha Stewart Craft's collection for Lion Brand. The color is peacock and it's a slightly bluer version of a peacock feather. As with all Martha Stewart's products, the colors are rich and beautiful.

GRANDMA'S FAVORITE KNIT DISHCLOTH PATTERN

Using US size 7 needles, co 3.

Row 1: K2, yo, k1—4 st.

Row 2: K2, yo, knit to end of row—5 st.

Rows 3-37: Repeat row 2

At end of row 37, there should be 40 st on the needle.

Row 38: K1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to end of row—39 st.

Rows 39-72: Repeat row 38

At end of row 72, there should be 5 st on the needle.

Row 73: K1, k2tog twice—3 st

Bind off. Weave in ends.

Abbreviations

• co – cast on
• k – knit
• yo – yarn over
• st – stitch
• k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease)

This pattern is not to be sold or copied. DO NOT post this pattern elsewhere online or claim it as your own. Items made from this pattern may be sold. If you want to share this pattern, please refer them to this post. If selling online, please make mention of Being Spiffy and link back to my site.

If you make this pattern and post about it on your blog, we'd love to see it. Please link up below!

If you link up, remember to… 

• refrain from posting links to shops, stores, and giveaways.
• link to your specific post.
• link back to me somehow. May I suggest my blog button found in the sidebar? :D

5 Must Have Products for DIY Gel Nails

Wanting to take the plunge into doing your own gel nails? It's easier than you might think…if you have the right supplies. Here are my five must-have products for doing your own gel nails at home.

1. NAIL DRYER

Royal Nails Professional UV Nail Dryer

If you're going to use gel or shellac polish, you have to have a lamp to cure it in. The Royal Nails dryer is the one I use. It is one of the best you can get for the price. I love that it's large enough to put both hands or feet in to cut down on curing time. Plus it has five different timers that turn off automatically for fool-proof curing. It also has a fan in case your hands get too warm.

Salon Edge UV Nail Dryer

If you're looking for a smaller, more basic option, I'd recommend the Salon Edge. My friend owns this dryer and it works great. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it gets the job done.

2. PH BOND, BASE, TOPCOAT 

Harmony Foundation Base, Top If Off and ph Bond — 3 pack

This is a great price for the essentials. Unlike regular polish, you can't skip the base and topcoat. Each layer cures to the one beneath it. This is why gel nails last so long. The purpose of the ph Bond is to dry out the nail to prepare it for the base coat.

3. POLISH 

Gelish UV Gel Polish — Gossip Girl

A manicure is no fun without a little color. Gossip Girl by Harmony is my go-to pink. Bright enough to get noticed but not crazy neon. It's definitely a color you can wear year-round.

4. POLISH REMOVER

OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover

A good polish remover is key to removing gel polish without completely drying out your nails. It's the remover that damages nails, not polish, and OPI's Expert Touch removes the polish in a shorter time than others I've used.

5. MANICURE STICKS

MASH Bamboo Reusable Manicure Sticks

Since gel polish is cured in layers, some may still stick to the nail even after using remover. The flat side of MASH's reusable manicure sticks can lightly scrape off any polish that remains.

There ya go! These are the supplies I've personally tested and use. I was not compensated by any of these companies, I honestly like them.

The Color Run – Salt Lake City

I am a wogger. Yup. A wogger. What is a "wogger" you ask? Someone who walks/jogs. Someone who's pace is slow enough to get passed by people walking. (Not that I would know from experience…) I still say I run, but in reality, I wouldn't be winning any races with my time. So why am I signing up for The Color Run?

THE COLOR!!!

The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The fun continues at the finish line with a gigantic “Color Festival,” using more colored powder to create happiness and lasting memories, not to mention millions of vivid color combinations!

There are only two race rules…wear white at the finish line and finish plastered in color! I'm so excited for this race. I love that it's not timed, since I'm not much of a competitor when it comes to running, and I'm a sucker for a good photo op. Can you imagine the pics at the finish line?

I want YOU to join me in Salt Lake City for this adventure and the Color Run has been generous enough to offer my fabulous readers a promo code for $5 off registration. It gets better! if you sign up as a group, you get an additional $5 off!

Register online HERE. The code doesn't guarantee a spot in the race, so get a move on! I can't wait to see you there!

Make Your Own Chalkboard Art

When I purchased a gigantic piece of framed "art" from a thrift store, I thought I would toss the 3-ft by 3-ft picture and repurpose the frame. But when I saw what Rhonna Farrer could do with a chalkboard, I was inspired. I painted over the hideous '70s floral print and made my own chalkboard. Now I'm no Rhonna, but I do have a few tips to share to create your own chalkboard art.

1. Use a mix of fonts. Mix serif, sans serif, script and display fonts for an eclectic piece that will really stand out.
2. Shade with a light hand or draw thin lines to create dimension.
3. Little details can make a big difference on the most simple of text.
4. You don't have to be Van Gogh to add artistic elements. Simple hearts, arrows, or stars can complete a piece. Remember, it's supposed to look handmade.

Here's my current creation!

My daughter and I go through the Rapunzel/Mother Gothel routine from Tangled every morning when I drop her off at school. I always finish with, "I love you most" so this quote is pretty special to us.

Still not convinced you can do this yourself? Trust me, you can! Chalkboard is the perfect canvas for the impatient artist who messes up a lot. (Not that I'm describing myself. Ahem.) Instead of having to paint over a mistake and wait for it to dry before fixing it, you just take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe that boo-boo away! It's dry in seconds and you can get right back to sketching.

Are you ready to make your own chalkboard art? What quote would you display in your home?

Cupcake Crochet Dishcloth FREE PATTERN

Welcome to Week 5 of 52 Weeks of Dishcloths! To check out the previous patterns, click HERE.

I'm sharing my own pattern again this week. My Cupcake Crochet Dishcloth can't take the place of dessert, but it can certainly clean up after it!

I used  Peaches & Creme Bright Pink for this loverly dishcloth. It's smaller than most of the dishcloths I make, so it's probably perfect since I like my dishcloths huge!

To keep track of stitches, I divided them by cupcakes and frostings. So when you're counting your "stitches" at the end of the row, you'll count these instead.

Aren't they cute? I just love the cupcake crochet stitch. Hopefully you will too!

CUPCAKE CROCHET DISHCLOTH PATTERN

Using US size H hook, ch 27.

Row 1: 5 dc in 6th ch from hook, {ch 1, skip 5 ch, 5 dc in next} across to last 3 ch, skip 2 ch, dc in last ch; turn — 4 cupcakes

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in first st, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, {(dc, ch 3 dc) in next ch 1 sp, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc} to last 3 st; skip 2 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in top of ch 3; turn — 4 frostings

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (5 dc, ch 1) in each ch 3 sp across, 2 dc in final ch 1 sp, dc in top of ch 3; turn — 3 cupcakes

Row 4: Ch 3, {(dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch 1 sp, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc} across ending at top of ch 3; turn — 3 frostings

Row 5: Ch 3, (5 dc, ch 1) in each ch 3 sp across, 5 dc in last ch 3 sp, dc in top of ch 3; turn — 4 cupcakes

Rows 6-8: Repeat rows 2-4; do NOT bind off, continue to edging

EDGING

Skip 1st dc, {5 dc in ch 3 sp, skip 1 dc, sc in next dc} across ending in top of ch 3 — 4 scallops

Working along side edge, {5 dc in side of 1st dc, skip 1 dc, sc in next} across, ending with sc in 1st ch — 2 scallops

Working along bottom edge, {5 dc in same ch as initial 5 dc, sc in ch 5 sp} across, ending with sc in ch 4 sp — 4 scallops

Working along final side edge, {5 dc in side of 1st dc, skip 1 dc, sc in next} across, ending with a sl st at beginning of edging — 2 scallops

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• st – stitch
• sp – space

This pattern is not to be sold or copied. DO NOT post this pattern elsewhere online or claim it as your own. Items made from this pattern may be sold. If you want to share this pattern, please refer them to this post. If selling online, please make mention of Being Spiffy and link back to my site.

If you make my Cupcake Crochet Dishcloth, please post about it and link up here!

If you link up, remember to… 

• refrain from posting links to shops, stores, and giveaways.
• link to your specific post.
• link back to me somehow. May I suggest my blog button found in the sidebar? :D

I linked this post in Housewife Eclectic's linky party.