Mason Dixon KAL

A dishcloth is not properly accessorized until it has a few stains.
K8Met
 

Handknit dishcloths and towels can transform mundane chores into a joyful task.

(because you're busy admiring your handiwork, of course)!
 

Rant about consumerism, when their eyes gloss over, you know you've made your point. Lol!
 

Hi Kel:

I like all of the answers above. Don't take these people's rudeness seriously.

Here are my (rather more snarky) responses...

Them: "But it is too pretty to wipe dishes or hands on!"

YOU: I like to think my (family, friends, I) should always be surrounded by beautiful things.

Them: "And you could buy those so cheap at Walmart!"
Them: "Like $3 for a three-pack!

YOU: Yes, and I'd have the benefit of feeling good that I was employing several children in [PICK THIRD WORLD COUNTRY] plus ensuring that I keep those minimum wage jobs going in our own economy.

OR: But THIS way I get to support our local cotton farmers!

Them: "It seems like so much labor for something you are just gonna mess up!"

YOU: (trot out suitably banal cliche with a cheery smile such as):
- Haste makes waste.
- A labour of love isn't a labour at all.

Them: "If it were in my kitchen, I would get it all stained in two seconds!"

YOU: Thanks for letting me know that. Since I now know you don't wash your hands before using dishtowels, I won't bother to spend any precious time making you any!

Them: "Shouldn't you use your skills to make baby booties or something?

YOU: Hmm... baby booties that will be used for 2 months... or dishcloths that can be used forever for various things? You do the math!

THEM: How old are you now?"

Old enough to know it's rude to run people down when they are sharing their creative endeavours with you?

Them: "What happens when it gets all stained? Will it wash out? Is that cotton?"

ME: You should buy some javex next time you go to WalMart. I think they sell it there. It's a wonderful invention.

And when all else fails, resort to the rant about consumerism suggested by a very wise woman with the same name as me!! (and same spelling, how exciting!). If you want text for same, I work in a non-profit leftie political legal environment and could probably whip up a few for you given 10 minutes or so (far less time than it would take me to find the $3 washcloths at the local WalMart or Zellers!).

Regards,

kb

PS. I speak with forked tongue in part as for my own part I can't bring myself to knit washcloths because I couldn't stand getting them dirty! However, I very much admire those of you on this board who are less anal-retentive than I and come up with these beautiful creations ;-)
 

How about, "When they get all messed up, I knit some more. That's the point of a hobby: to do what you like. And I happen to like knitting dishcloths." Too snarky? ;-)
 

shows up many times for me too... not to ignore the beauty of your hand towel (love the neutral colors!), but perhaps you could remove a few of those?
Thanks!
 

I always claim that making dishcloths is a way for me to learn new lace patterns. But really, I just like making nearly-instantly completed projects. ;-)
 

My husband is the master of the remote control. Many years ago when HGTV first came on, I, of course, loved to watch it, but it was never included in hubbo's surfing. One day I said, "You that Home and Garden channel. I really like that. I feel so much calmer when I watch it." He almost broke his fingers getting those numbers punched in.

So to rude people who should know better, "I feel so much calmer when I knit." Then give them the look you feel most appropriate and let them draw their own conclusion.
 

Cathi, I am LMAO, thinking of all the different looks that I could employ to accompany "I feel so much calmer when I knit." Gonna remember that one...
 

On the cost issue: I knitted up my first lowly warshrags in 1996. I still use them. They show no signs of letting me down, either. I doubt Walmart's $3 washrags would come anywhere close.
 

I have several responses...depending on how teenagerish you are feeling, any can work. My personal favorite is "Because I feel like it" in response to "Why do you knit dishcloths?". Also, throw in that most commercial dishcloths, etc. are coated with chemicals and have non-biodegradable fibers in them, and so really, you're protecting the environment by using materials that will someday return to the earth from which they came. (aka-the "guilt-trip-tree-hugger response")

Another good "guilt-trip" response is that my Grandmother lives almost across the country, and she knits dishcloths for me, and so to feel closer to her, I knit them for her and for the rest of my family. (which is actually true for me...maybe not so much for you though)

And lastly, another teenagerish response: "Why are you so worried about this anyway? If you want to knit booties, I'd be glad to teach you how to knit."
 

So many "inquiries" about your knitting dishcloths! My Southern Grandmother would get right to the heart of the situation >>>> look up smiling like the Good Witch of the North, you could sort of wave a knitting needle like she did her wand, and quickly say "Why...would you like one for yourself? What colors do you like when you are cleaning the kitchen?" Since the Line of Questioning was bordering on rude, you have steered them into your aura of polite discourse, and kind generosity, and so on. Plus, you are just knittin' away. See? If that fails, just go all snarky with , "don't you clean well...WHEN you clean..." Take care ya'll out there. Susan
 

Oh, I forgot to mention that thing about people who ask and ask about your reproductive timetable: this is just so beyond rude....anyway, it becomes amusing only when you, like me, turn fifty and strangers still ask if you plan on "having any" or "more" (I once lied that I had eight children and she puckered her whole face, and asked if more were forthcoming. I guess we'll always need Dear Abby and Miss manners) Susan