THE PROJECT:
This project is basically an experiment of sorts to help me pick the “best” cotton/cotton-blend yarn to use for dishcloths, dish towels, pot holders, and other house stuff. If I find that the “winning” yarn would also good for garments or afghans, that’s great too!
I’m going to knit up 2 dishcloths per yarn in white and red. Each brand is going to have a different dishcloth pattern so I can tell them apart when I’m testing them.
The reason I’m using the colored (red) yarn is to test color-fastness. I’ll also knit up a small swatch to compare the “used” dishcloth to the “new” yarn and see how much, if any, it’s faded. The white is sort-of a control and I want to see if the white “dirties” or picks up other colors over time. I also want to test how absorbent the yarns are. I want the winner to actually dry dishes and not just push the water around.
For the testing phase, I’m going to either be using them to wash dirty dishes (in hot water and Method dish soap) OR I’ll be simulating dish-washing by rubbing them together in the hot, soapy water. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll also be washing the dishcloths when I do my laundry (in cold water and Biokleen laundry detergent). I’ll dry them on medium heat (like I do everything else) and I don’t use fabric softener.
So, anyways, this is going to take a while. I’ll not consider this project completed until I post my findings and pictures and determine a winner and 2nd and 3rd runner ups.
YARN USED:
Cotton:
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Red Heart Crème de la Crème Cotton (100% Cotton) in Rally Red and White at ~$0.02/yard from Joann’s.com.
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Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream (100% Cotton) in Red and White at ~$0.02/yard from Michael’s.
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Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton (100% Cotton) in Red and White at ~$0.02/yard from Hobby Lobby.
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Knit Picks’ Dishie (100% Cotton) in Fiesta Red and Swan at ~$0.02/yard from Knit Picks.com.
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Bernat Handicrafter Cotton (100% Cotton) in Country Red and White at ~$0.03/yard from Joann’s.com.
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Lion Brand’s Kitchen Cotton (100% Cotton) in Hot Pepper and Vanilla at ~$0.04/yard from Joann’s.com.
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24/7 Cotton Yarn (from Lion Brand) (100% Mercerized Cotton) in Red and White at ~$0.03/yard from Lion Brand.com.
Cotton Blends:
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Premier Home Cotton Solid (85% Cotton/15% Polyester) in Cranberry and White at ~$0.02/yard from Premier.com
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Knit Picks’ Comfy Worsted (75% Pima Cotton/25% Acrylic) in Pomegranate and White at ~$0.03/yard from KnitPicks.com
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Knit Picks CotLin DK (70% Tanguis Cotton/30% Linen) in Moroccan Red and Swan at ~$0.02/yard from Knit Picks.com.
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Knit Picks Shine Worsted Cotton (60% Pima Cotton/40% Rayon) in Serrano and White at ~$0.04/yard from Knit Picks.com.
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Premier Cotton Fair (48% Cotton/52% Acrylic) in Red and White at ~$0.02/yard from Joann’s Fabrics.
PATTERNS USED:
- Red Heart Crème de la Crème Cotton= Mitered Square Dishcloth
- Lily Sugar ‘n Cream= Garter-stitch Dishcloth
- Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton= Seed-stitch Dishcloth
- Knit Picks Dishie= American Moss-stitch Dishcloth
- Bernat Handicrafter Cotton= Basket-weave Dishcloth
- Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton= Double-knit Dishcloth
- 24/7 Cotton= Brioche-stitch Dishcloth
- Premier Home Cotton= Rib-stitch Dishcloth
- Knit Picks Comfy Worsted= Entrelac dishcloth
- Knit Picks CotLin= Linen-stitch Dishcloth
- Knit Picks Shine Worsted Cotton= Corner-start Square Dishcloth
- Premier Cotton Fair= Stockinette-stitch Dishcloth
11-21-2015
This project has been sleeping for too long. I keep forgetting that, after I knit them, the dishcloths will have to be tested and that can take time. I want a “winner” already so I can make cotton gift items for my family/friends.
I’m currently obtaining all the yarn. FINALLY! Some of the brands changed b/c some were discontinued and others are new. I really wanted to use Peaches ‘n Creme. I have a white and a pink (I’ve since changed my color yarns to red b/c my kitchen stuff is red), but they no longer make red! I really wanted to compare it to Sugar ‘n Cream! :( I was also going to use Lion Cotton but that seems to be discontinued. Lion Brand only has a puke green left on their website. And, I really wanted to use Martha Stewart Crafts Cotton Hemp yarn. The hemp really intrigued me. I’ve felt it in person and it’s pretty stiff and rough. I wanted to see what it was like after washing. But Lion Brand’s discontinuing it. :(
11-23-2015
GREAT! That’s great! I don’t know what prompted me to do it, but I went to look at the Cotton-Ease yarn page. And I saw this: “Lion Brand is discontinuing Cotton-Ease again as of an email dated 7/20/15.”
What the hell? There goes yet another yarn off my list. And just after I bought a skein. I already have the snow, but I finally got around to buying the cherry. It’s not even out for delivery, yet. And I’ll have to return it as soon as it gets here.
And it won’t be of any use to test it, b/c if I like it, I won’t be able to buy any more in the future. Ugh! So, should I try to find a replacement and have an even 12, or just stick with 11 yarns? There was that Premier Cotton Grande 85% cotton/15% polyester, but it was such a big putup. I could also try the new Hobby Lobby Crafter’s Secret Cotton Solids but I don’t think they have a red- or they did but not anymore.
ETA: I found a smaller put-up of the Premier Cotton on Premier’s website. I bought some and added it to the list.
12-05-2015
I’ve got all of my yarn! Except for the Knit Picks Cotlin in Moroccan Red. They’re out right now and I have to wait till they get some more in. I’m almost ready to start knitting! I just want to take a group picture of all the yarn skeins first. Hence the waiting on the Cotlin. Hums Jeopardy theme…
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