Decreasing my waste

Day 23 of the Eco Craft Challenge

I've been following Julia from Easy Eco To Go on her zero waste journey. She has inspired me to really think about those disposable items that I've taken for granted just using and tossing. I have stopped using paper napkins and paper towels for 2 to 3 weeks now. I love knitting dishcloths, and I have a few dish towels. Those have taken the place of the paper towels. I only had a few cloth napkins, which have been used pretty quickly. I needed more cloth napkins, so I sewed 15 today.

I had some muslin in my fabric stash. Muslin can cost as little as $1 a yard. I cut it into 10" x 5" pieces. I don't see the point of having large cloth napkins other than for looks. Thats why they are only 5" wide. I placed two of the cut pieces together and stitched around 3 of the sides. I turned it right side out, then folded in the unsewn side. I then stitched around all 4 sides using a quarter of an inch seam. The thread matches the fabric, however it would look nice with a contrasting thread. These would also look nice embroidered or stamped using fabric ink / paint.

I then made 4 hankies that are 10" squared. I cut the muslin and did a decorative stitch around the 4 sides. The thread is left as is. The decorative stitch should hopefully keep the hankie from unraveling in the wash. I followed Easy Eco To Go's directions for making these. Someone posted on Julia's site about how muslin won't feel good on your nose, esp. during a cold. She suggested using flannel instead. I'll have to look in my stash to see if I have any flannel that I'd be willing to make hankies out of. I like to buy flannel for the back of my winter quilts. It makes them warm and cozy.

Last Christmas or for my mom's birthday, I don't really remember, I knitted her a hat using Lionbrand's Homespun. She asked me to make her a yellow one. I then started making her a scarf, but I couldn't finish it in time to give with the hat. I stopped knitting it in March. Today I began knitting it again while at my oldest son's soccer practice. I would like to have it finished for Christmas. It should be easy. It's knit in garter stitch on size US 9 needles.