So many projects

I have been crocheting fervently for the last few days and I have something to show for it all! Almost all of these are various cleaning or storage items to help me out around the condo.
First off are the new covers for my Swiffer - I really dislike the cloths you can buy for it since the dusting cloths never seem to really pick anything up and the mopping cloths have no texture to scrub the floor clean. Plus I forget to check how many cloths I have before I go to clean and then I find out that I have run out... I figured the best solution is to make my own cloths. I have another dusting cloth pattern I am going to try out but I need to decide if I am going to make it for the Swiffer or as a mitt for my hand.

Dusting cloth stretched out over the Swiffer

It works well.

Add caption

Mopping cover - it will shrink a bit so it will fit better.

Much better texture for mopping!

The two cloths next to each other so you can see the difference in texture.

 Dryer sheets are handy but I found a better way - dryer balls! You make them from wool so the lanolin oils help soften clothes in addition to the beating your clothes take in the dryer from the balls bouncing around. I have less static from the dryer balls than the sheets. I found out that I just need to by some essential oils and then I can scent the dryer balls and my laundry! I only have 2 right now (a third one has decided to go missing) but I did buy a lovely emerald green wool to make more. I think I will felt the green ones twice before I actually use them since the yellow ones did not seem to felt enough after one attempt.

The dryer balls!

Dryer sheets are on the way out!

My favorite sponges are starting to get holes in the nylon netting. I love them so much and wanted to find nylon to make my own scrubbing sponges. Well, nylon is a touch more expensive than I originally thought. Plan B - find a good scrub pattern that uses cotton instead (like my Swiffer mop). Plan B was a rousing success. I modified the pattern I found to make the scrubbing portion a touch rougher and added my hanging loop. Plus it used up some of my random leftover cotton from the mopping cover.

Way back in January, I made a camera case out of yarn left from Melissa and Derek's present. I figured the silver color would look great and be easy to find in my purse. I was right! The moss stitch plus the plush yarn gives the camera plenty of perfection and I can easily find my camera in my bag. The single button closure is also easy enough that I can open and close it with one hand if I need to - I am a little bit clumsy so I tend to use both hands with my camera at all times for fear of dropping it!

Pretty and functional. What else do I need?

Roomy enough for the camera but snug enough to protect it.

 I have my crochet hook holders mostly finished (except for the one I decided was too small and wanted to remake with a larger hook size). So here they are in the various stages:

Blue bifold - needs separation between
the hooks

Blue bifold

Cream bifold

Cream bifold - need to edge

Blue trifold showing the hook holders.
I decided it was too small for the hooks and abandoned this project.

Blue trifold with sections for holding
scissors, pins, tape

Purple trifold.
Much happier with the sizing.

Purple trifold to replace blue one.

 In addition to all my holders in various stages of completion, I also started a cowl for myself out of the Caron Simply Soft Lavender Blue (the picture makes it look a little more blue than it really is). I figured with the sheen and solid color of the yarn, I could go for a more complicated stitch look. So I am using the trinity stitch, which looks great. Since I am not the best at working in the round (I can do it but it takes me FOREVER to get that starting chain connected without twisting), I decided to make a super long scarf and then join the ends to form the cowl. It means more rows for me and that the stitch will be sideways but I am okay with that. I serious hate working in the round with long chains. Magic ring start? No problem. Small chain start - I can do that. 50+ chain that has to be connected without twisting? Now you are asking for trouble. I have done it before (several times) but I prefer to avoid it whenever possible.

 
I also need to work on the baby blanket for a friend who is due in May. I bought more of the yarn I need so now there is no excuse for me to not work on it.