Reusable facial puffs

I typically use a wash cloth for cleaning my face, but thought it would be very nice to have something smaller that was also washable. When I was a graduate student I made my own facial puffs out of old towels and scraps of polar fleece. I was making recycled fleece hats at the time and had a lot of fleece scraps. I was also in the mode of being frugal and reusing as much as possible so from that came the idea for making reusuable cotton balls. I currently have a lot of little scraps of micro fleece left over from making the diapers so perfect for making the puffs. I like using the polar fleece for the inside of the puffs since it doesn't absorb the water and stays fluffy when wet. I dyed an old bath towel using a Procion dye in wedgewood blue. I also dyed a few shirts for the little guy a and a cute little hemp skirt that I will post about soon. I didn't need to dye the towel, but I was doing a dye batch anyway and thought it would be fun to have nicely colored puffs. I use the puffs the same way as I would cotton balls. After I use one, I put it in a bag and then throw them all in the regular laundry load.

Reusable facial puffs

Materials: Scraps of polar fleece and cotton terry cloth. The puffs can be any size or shape. I make mine circular with a 3 inch diameter.

1. Cut two circular pieces of terry cloth. Cut two pieces of micro fleece or one piece of 200 or higher weight polar fleece.


2. Sandwich the layers together with the terry cloth on the outside and the micro fleece on the inside. Sew the layers together using a zig zag or decorative stitch.

Baby knickers a.k.a. boy bloomers

Little guy just took his first few independent steps a week ago. It is really amazing to see him stand up and move around. He is still a ways from walking though and spends most of his time crawling. He has perfected a crawl run which is really cute to watch. However, it is very hard on his little knees. I like to keep his knees protected, but also want him to be comfortable since it is summer. The perfect solution is knickers. I have already made a few pairs of the boy bloomers. The pair in the picture was made with two skeins of Lily Sugar & Creme Stripes cotton yarn. The baby knicker pattern is the same as the baby shorties, but easier since you don't have to shape the legs or pick up stitches.

Baby Shorties

Size: small (medium, large). Hip size: 17 in. (20 in., 23 in.)

Materials: 175 (200, 225) yards of cotton worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins of Love it
by Berroco. Elastic to use for the waistband.

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 in. stockinet stitch for main body.

Needles: US size 6 - 16 in circular needle, US size 8 - 16 in. circular needle or sizes need to get gauge.

Notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap
yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front.

Main Body
Cast on 68 (80, 92) sts using US size 6 circular needle and join in the round being careful
not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing. Change to US size 8 circular needle.

Begin Short Rows

Size small only:
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size medium only:
Knit 26 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size large only:
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit 33 sts, w&t.
Purl 36 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts, w&t.
Purl 42 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

For all sizes:
Knit in rounds until piece measures 6 in. (7 in., 8 in) from the purl ridge.

Split for legs
Knit 17 sts (20 sts, 23 sts). Place these stitches on a holder and knit 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts).
Place the remaining stitches on a holder and turn work. Purl one row.
Knit in stockinette stitch until leg measures 1.5 in. (2.0 in., 2.5 in.).
Change back to US size 6 circular needle and knit rows in knit two, purl two ribbing for 1 in. (1.5 in., 2.0 in.). Bind off stitches loosely.

Attach yarn to the remaining 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts) and knit in stockinette stitch until leg measures 1.5 in. (2.0 in., 2.5 in.).
Change back to US size 6 circular needle and knit rows in knit two, purl two ribbing for 1 in. (1.5 in., 2.0 in.). Bind off stitches loosely.

Finishing
Sew the leg seam. Sew in all the loose strings. Fold over the waistband at the purl ridge and stitch in place leaving space open to put in the elastic. Cut half inch elastic to 15 in. (18 in., 21 in) or to size needed for the waistband. Insert the elastic in the casing. Stitch the rest of the casing
closed.

Chamomile hair rinse

We spend quite a bit of time outside this summer. We go out most mornings to the park or to the new Meade Park Pool that opened this summer. It is more a mini water park than a pool with plenty of excitement and lots of water splashing everywhere. Since the little guy took the swimming lessons he is really great in the water and has a great time at the new pool. We both got totally splashed with water this morning when we were in range of the big bucket. He definitely is a little water baby.

On to the post. I have revived a method from my teenage days for highlighting my hair. I found the herbal recipe for the hair rinse in a Redbook magazine a long time ago. I put the rinse in a spray bottle and used it to lighten my hair in the sun. Thinking back that was the time when Sun In was all the rage. How funny that it is still around today. Well, I went the thrifty route and made my own herbal blend. I started using it again and it works pretty good. My hair is a lot darker now of course, but it is nice to have a few highlights. Here is the recipe:

Chamomile hair rinse

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup distilled water
2 tablespoons dried chamomile

Heat the distilled water to boiling and add the dried chamomile. Let it steep for about a half an hour. Strain the liquid and add the lemon juice. Put it in a spray bottle. Enjoy!

Baby shorties

The little guy like many toddles his age is really adept at taking off his diaper. He is a master of Velcro so it helps to have a cover over his diaper. I found really cute examples of knitted diaper covers on the web and decided to make a pair for him out of cotton yarn to be worn over his diapers. I came up with my own version since I didn't find any simple patterns that used worsted weight or thicker yarn. I really like using worsted weight or thicker yarn these days since my knitting time is a bit less since the little guy was born. I also like simple patterns since I tend to knit in small spurts now. I can put down my knitting and pick it up later without being totally lost in the pattern. Here is my version. Enjoy!

Baby Shorties

Size: small (medium, large). Hip size: 17 in. (20 in., 23 in.)

Materials: 175 (200, 225) yards of cotton worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins of Love it
by Berroco. Elastic to use for the waistband.

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 in. stockinet stitch for main body.

Needles: US size 6 - 16 in circular needle, US size 8 - 16 in. circular needle, 4 US size 6
double point needles or sizes need to get gauge.

Notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap
yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front.

Main Body
Cast on 68 (80, 92) sts using US size 6 circular needle and join in the round being careful
not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing. Change to US size 8 circular needle.

Begin Short Rows

Size small only:
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size medium only:
Knit 26 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size large only:
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit 33 sts, w&t.
Purl 36 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts, w&t.
Purl 42 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

For all sizes:
Knit in rounds until piece measures 3.5 in. (4.5 in., 5.5 in) from the purl ridge.

Shaping for leg openings
Knit 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts). Place these stitches on a holder and work only on the remaining stitches.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Knit to the end of the row.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Purl to the end of the row.
Knit 2 sts, k2tog. Knit to 4 sts before the next maker, k2tog, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to decrease 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 16 sts
(18 sts, 20 sts) remain.
Knit in stockinet stitch for 1 inch.
Knit 2 sts, inc 1 st. Knit to 2 sts before the next maker, inc 1 st, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to increase 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 34 sts
(40 sts, 46 sts).

Join the back and front leg openings by doing a three needle bind off or by grafting the
stitches together. You can also bind off the stitches and sew the seam together. I use a
three need bind off and have a seam in the back of the pants.

Ribbing for the legs
Change to US size 6 double point needles.
Pick up and knit 40 sts (44 sts, 48 sts) around one of the leg openings.
Knit rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing until leg measures 2 in. (2.5 in., 3 in.).
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Repeat for the other leg.

Finishing
Sew in all the loose strings. Fold over the waistband at the purl ridge and stitch in place
leaving space open to put in the elastic. Cut half inch elastic to 15 in. (18 in., 21 in) or to
size needed for waistband. Insert the elastic in the casing. Stitch the rest of the casing
closed.

Heavy duty hemp fitted cloth diaper

I have a lot of hemp jersey fabric so I thought I would experiment a bit and make a hemp fitted diaper that is twice as thick as the original ones. I also wanted a pattern that had a lot more coverage around the front and the wings so I came up with my own. The diaper pattern is in two files located at meddiaper1 and meddiaper2. I used same method as shown in the diaper tutorial except I cut out twice as much fabric. I cut four of the main diaper body using the hemp jersey and four of the liner using the organic cotton fleece. I also made the liner using the quick dry insert method. I attached the insert by sewing down the center. I also sewed the insert at the four corners. I used two inch wide Velcro and the rest is the same. It turned out pretty heavy duty, but it works great. I am going to make a few more to add to the diaper pile. I think it is more economical to make the larger diapers using the hemp fleece as compared to the hemp jersey, but it worked for me since I have a lot of the fabric on hand.

Quick dry hemp diaper insert

I have been a little lax lately with posting. The weather has been really nice so Jonas and I have been spending a lot of time hanging out at the city parks. We are very fortunate to have a really nice park right the down the street which has a spray ground. Little guy is quite the water baby so he loves our little outings.

Now on to the post. I am still working on the new diapers. I recently made a quick dry hemp jersey diaper insert like the one shown in the diaper making video at Kids in the Garden. Great idea from them and it really dries quickly. It takes a little more time to make the insert as compared to the hemp prefold so still deciding if it is worth the extra effort. I need to put it in use for a while and report back. Here is how I made the diaper insert.

Quick dry hemp jersey insert

Materials: Half a yard of Hemp/organic cotton jersey fabric. I don't prewash the fabric. I cut it larger for shrinkage.

1. Measure and cut an 18 inch piece of hemp jersey fabric. The insert will shrink to about 15 inches in length once washed and dried.


2. Cut nine 6 x 18 inch rectangles from the fabric. Round the edges. You will have one extra rectangle that can be used for another insert.


3. Stack two rectangles together and zig zag the edges. Continue until you have four double sided rectangles.


4. Lay the four rectangles on top of each other and pin the center. Sew the center of the insert through all of the layers.

5. Sew the four corners and you are done. The insert will need to be washed and dried a few times before it reaches maximum performance level.

Lemon coconut cleanser

Here is another version of the lemon cleanser. This one has coconut oil along with rose hip seed oil. It is wonderfully fragrant and a real treat for your skin.

Lemon coconut cleanser
This is a creme cleanser that does not need water. I massage it on my face and remove it with a washcloth and toner.

2 tablespoons almond oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon rose hip oil
2 tablespoon emulsifying wax
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon borax
20 drops of lemon essential oil

In a double boiler, melt the wax and oils together. Warm the lemon juice and borax in another pan. Remove both from the heat and add together in a bowl using a whisk to blend. Add the lemon essential oil once the mixture cools a bit. Transfer to a container. I store the cleanser at room temperature, but I use it within a few weeks. If you are keeping it longer then it may need to be refrigerated.

Microfleece swim shorts

We are taking swimming lessons at the local pool. We have one more week to go and then he will have completed Starfish level 1, so very exciting. The water temperature in the indoor pool is very chilly and he shivered through a few of classes until I decided to make him a pair of warmer swim trunks. I made the shorts with the same monkey pants pattern and cut them a bit shorter. I used microfleece from Mill Direct which is the same fabric that I use to line his new diapers. The shorts turned out very nice and comfy. I also put him in a long sleeve microfleece onesie that I made for him last winter. He was very toasty at the last swim class. The shorts do absorb more water than the nylon version, but they dry pretty quickly once you wring out the water.

Easy hemp jersey diaper insert or prefold

I am busy working on the new diapers. The hemp/organic cotton jersey material came in the mail last week so time make the diaper inserts. I ordered the fabric from the usual place at Pick Hemp. They have the best prices and a large selection of hemp fabrics blended with organic cotton. For the inserts I am making my own version of open end prefolds. The prefolds wind up being 2-5-2 as far as layers go so nine layers total once it is folded in thirds. They are super easy to make, dry quickly and work great so very happy with the end result.

Hemp jersey prefold

Materials: Half a yard of Hemp/organic cotton jersey fabric. I don't prewash the fabric. I cut it larger to accomodate shrinkage.

1. Measure and cut an 18 inch piece of hemp jersey fabric. The insert will shrink to about 15 inches in length once washed and dried.


2. Cut off the selvage and zig zag around the entire piece of fabric.


3. Fold in the ends of the fabric 6 inches on both sides and sew.


4. Bring the ends of the fabric piece to the center and overlap. Pin and sew through all of the layers on both sides. All done

A wonderful treat!!

Yesterday, I received a wonderful treat in the mail from Dolores at Achtung Kinder. During the month of May Sewmamasew hosted a giveaway and I was one of the lucky winners. It was a treat to open the box and see the sweet wrapped package. I opened the package and found a beautiful handmade bib and rattle. Little guy loves the rattle. He likes to shake it around our kitten who loves it too. I also received baby lotion and chocolate spice tea. Both are such a treat to the senses. Thank you so much Delores for sending the wonderful gifts our way. We love everything!!

Super diaper

I made a pocket diaper from the recycled fleece and pul fabric. It turned out really nice and was fairly easy to sew. I realized once I got the fabric that I didn't think too much about how the two fabrics would match. I really wanted to get the pul fabric in aqua and I didn't have a lot of color choices for the recycled microfleece so I just went with the brightest option which was the lady bug red. I am happy with the combo though since they look like super hero diapers. In particular I think they look like superman diapers.

Before I started sewing the new diaper I watched an all in one diaper tutorial at Kids in the Garden. It has lots of tips including cutting the tabs separately to use the fabric more efficiently. I tried this with the celtic cloth pattern and was able to get four pul backs out of one fabric width as compared to only three with the full pattern. Very slick and a great way to economize on fabric. I also used the elastic method they suggested and it worked great. The best part though is the music so definitely worth watching if you are sewing diapers. The only problem I ran into with making the diapers was sewing the pul fabric. I used a regular sewing stitch and the seams bunched. I looked for tips online and switched to the stretch stitch. It worked fine after that so problem solved.

I really like the functionality of the new diaper. I have used it a lot this past week and it works great. It has survived the poop test so very good. It also keeps him dry and comfy for a few hours so I am happy I am making the switch. I was a little reluctant at first because I wanted to stay with natural fabrics as much as possible. But on the other hand the microfleece liner does work great and is a breeze a clean the messy stuff. I can also dry the diaper a lot quicker with the separate hemp inserts so great energy wise. So sort of mixed bag environmentally for me, but I think it is going work great for us both. One thing I have learned after being a mom for a year is that being flexible is a good thing.