1.11.2011

What I Did Last Weekend

WIP

Last year I saw a pattern for a knitted jute washcloth floating around the blogosphere. The idea of working with jute has been in the back of my mind ever since. Over the weekend, I sat down with a spool of jute from the hardware store, an old crochet pattern book, and a large crochet hook. Several hours - and bandaids - later, I had a small stack of crocheted jute motifs that I adore.

jute crochet motifs

My first thought was using them for dish scrubbies - eco-tawashi style. I scrubbed the sink with the granny square last night, and although it worked well, it's still wet. Crochet is so dense. A knitted jute scrubby would dry out much faster.

Second thought - potholders! You can never have enough.

jute crochet motifs

Third thought - Leave them hanging on the wall. The color and texture is so simple and wintry.

I bought two new spools of jute from the hardware store and I have my eye on a few more crochet motif patterns.

Aruba Star

Golden Seasons Medallion

Vintage Circle Motif


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I'm also having fun working with two textures - jute and cotton twine (from Whole Foods - who says you need to go to the craft store for crafting supplies?).

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They belong together.


55 comments:

  1. Love them! I have been toying around with a good method for making pot scrubbies. A friend uses tulle. I may give it a try

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  2. i'm in love with these!!! i don't know how to crochet yet but it would be fun to experiment with knitting these materials, too. thanks for the inspiration! ;)

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  3. they are simply gorgeous, i wish i could crochet!

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  4. Oh, this has my mind spinning! Off to get some more jute...I used the last of my spool on Christmas presents. Love, love this!!!

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  5. Molly they are beautiful!!! And now that you have me crocheting...
    (I have caught on with those hearts, and no longer have to refer to my teach yourself crocheting book or the pattern--I may very well be down to six minutes per heart!)
    I bought jute last year to knit dish scrubbies but hated knitting with it. I think crocheting the stuff is the way to go.

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  6. beautiful molly! They look super sweet hanging on the wall there. And potholders was my thought exactly.

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  7. hmm. the jute/cotton twine looks like it would make a lovely rug...in larger scale of course. i may have to try something like that.
    btw...the pretzels and nutella = delicious. i kind of forgot how much i loved nutella. :)

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  8. A girl after my own heart. Alas I cannot crochet but I am doily obsessed these days.

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  9. I am so completely in love with this. How simplistic in its beauty. I can also see them framed against linen or unbleached cotton in w wood frame.

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  10. Totally beautiful! Somewhere in the depths of the bookcases is an old craft magazine with instructions for a rug (I think) and I'll try to unearth it. You might love it.

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  11. lovely - I could look at the top right one forever!

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  12. these would be a lovely ornament at christmas. I love them! Very Neat!

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  13. crocheting with jute...ouch! but they ARE cute.
    how about as trivets?

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  14. THIS is why i need to learn!
    i love these.

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  15. Love the third thought! Jute and cotton do belong together. Great.
    I hear you on the winter hands. I was just looking at mine today thinking that I REALLY need to get out the dishwashing gloves!

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  16. So pretty! Before I had read the third option, I was thinking you should just hang them for decoration. Can't wait to see what else you make. And kudos to you. I tried this a few months ago but my hands just couldn't take working with the jute.

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  17. Those are absolutely beautiful. Someday I will learn to knit and crochet. Until then I just like looking at all the beautiful things other people make.

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  18. SO pretty !
    (delurking with awe, there)
    i crocheted some linen twine last eyar and made some coasters. linen is hard on your hands while your crochet though...
    I like yours as a garland, too.

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  19. Lovely. I found your blog just when you went on your four month leave, so can I just add that I'm very happy that you're back? I will too. Be back, that is.

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  20. These are just beautiful! I crocheted some bowls from jute as a Christmas present for my Mum - link is below - they looked amazing but they didn't half leave my fingers raw! I love the way they look strung up, am definitely going to give them a go.

    http://curiousstitch.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-christmas.html

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  21. Oh my, they are fantastic! Too pretty to use for scrubbing, I think. I'd keep them up there on the wall to be admired and enjoyed by all.

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  22. Wonderful! I don't crochet, but I'm a fan of color and texture pretty much anywhere. I like your third thought the best. Or you could dangle one from a strand of beads for a sort of sun-catcher?

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  23. I think they look fantastic just hanging around. What simple, lovely shapes.

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  24. Loving them hanging.

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  25. What an inspiration! Love your jute and twine crochet!!

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  26. These are just gorgeous. I really really like the look of them hanging.

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  27. how crafty of you! i love the rustic look. have you tried hemp twine? i haven't worked with jute before, but hemp is fun.

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  28. I love them hanging on the wall!! One of these days, I'll learn to crochet!

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  29. Molly, I have MISSED you!!! Both online and in person. I was inspired by your internet break, and I'm so happy to read about your new creations. These little crocheted thingies are SO cute. I just love them. I wish I was crafty.

    We talked a long time ago about trading pictures for crafty things, and if you are still interested, I would still love to do that. We could just trade hours for hours?

    Take care and I REALLY hope to see you sometime soon. Miss you!

    Christie

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  30. All these looks so beautiful..Brilliant creativity really.It could be use on the wall to be admired and enjoyed by all.it really gives a fantastic look to the interior..

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  31. They are beautiful!
    I can relate about crocheting with jute, a while ago I crocheted a rug with rope size jute, it turned out great but my hands didn't appreciate the roughness of the jute. Only did it once!
    Good work!

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  32. Very pretty! I can't imagine knitting or crocheting with jute, though...ouch!

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  33. What a wonderful idea! Got to try it.
    Thank you for the tips . Wonderful blog!

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  34. these are lovely Molly!

    btw - you were the winner of my contest, please contact me when you can.

    :)

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  35. Oh, I just love this - they look beautiful against your wall.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  36. Can you give us patterns? I love them!

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  37. Love, love, love them! Your fingers must be hurting.. :(

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  38. they look great, but i know what you mean about the sore hands! I crocheted a jute vase last year and my hands were shreaded!

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  39. I love these very pretty. Didn't know what jute was but what a good idea to make pot scrubbies.:)

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  40. That is beautiful. I love the natural earthy textures.

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  41. I just found your blog, I'm new here myself, but I love what you've done with your crochet. Pop over to my blog http://mommychicken.blogspot.com if you ever get a chance! All the best - Melissa

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  42. Hi. It would be a wonderful idea for Christmas Tree decorations, you can put these crochet patterns in starch to make them stiff.
    I am just using the 'granny square' pattern to make a gray bed cover, with colorful accents. Have a look at my blog (work in progress). Good wishes and thanks for sharing.
    http://happytomake.blogspot.com/

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  43. These. Are. So. Cute.

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  44. Love these...can you share where you found the patterns for the first ones you made? Thank you!

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  45. Hi! These are all so cute, especially how you put all of these on such a great display. l tried to get the pattern for the~ Vintage circle motif, it did not work. Could you PLEASE send it out to me, if possible. Thanking you in advance~ Lou-Ellen

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  46. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  47. lou-ellen: here's a link to a similar pattern (as the first one seems to have disappeared from about.com!) http://crochet.about.com/od/vintage/ss/aa052606.htm

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  48. Love them!!!! it's a great ideas !
    Manu

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  49. Love your blog and this project - I'm amazed by this crocheting (and your patience in the face of craft pain)! Just wanted to let you know I featured you in my roundup of jute craft projects here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

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