Thursday, June 04, 2009

Shower Poof

I LOVE shower poofs. After years of using one, showering just isn't the same when I don't have one. That being said, I HATE buying them and then tossing them away. And I don't want to any more. I just imagine all the many many many "poofs" in the landfills that I've contributed to, and I say, NO MORE! Especially when I can make one, right?

This is my first attempt at one, and it's super duper (yes I said it) simple. I can't wait to make more, ones with a little more fluff, but for the moment, this one more than lives up to it's potential.

The Shower Puff

Needle: Straight sizes 6, 8, and 10 1/2 (4, 5, 6.5 mm)

Yarn: I used Schachenmayr nomotta Crazy Cotton but as it's discontinued, any 100% cotton will do...this is sportweight, so keep in mind heavier weight means bigger needles, means bigger poof.

Gauge:
Not important this time, folks...it's a shower poof. Be happy in a no gauge pattern.

The Poof:


With size 6 needles, CO 25 st.

Working entirely in Garter stitch (knit every row), knit as follows...

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Kfbf (Knit in front, then back, then front again of same st) in all stitches. (75 stitches)

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Kfbf (225 stitches)

Row 5-10: Knit

Row 11-14: Switch to size 8 needles. Knit

Row 15-16: Switch to size 10 1/2 needles. Knit

Bind off loosely.

Finishing


With length of yarn and a tapestry needle, starting at one end and on the CO edge, weave yarn through approx. 5 sts and then through the first st again, creating a circle. repeat this step again to create a firm circle. next, twist the next 7-8 sts of CO edge the opposite direction and stitch down in a manner similar to the first 5 sts. Continue in this manner (remembering to switch directions after each segment) for the remaining length of ruffle until you have all of the ruffle gathered and stitched together forming a ball-like flower. Run needle and yarn back and forth through center of ball 3 times, tie off and weave in ends.

You can add a length of i-cord to the center of the ball to hang ball in shower. I did a 3 stitch I-cord for about 7 inches, folded in half and attached.

Have fun!