Inexpensive Gift Idea

I love homemade gifts! Especially ones that don't cost much money. For wedding gifts, I crochet a couple hot pads, add some utensils, and maybe throw in some dish scrubbies.
I start by making the hot pad into a long strip (it is single crochet), then I fold it over and crochet around the outside. When making the stripe pattern, it helps to make it symmetrical, and that's why you see the repeat of the blue stripe in the middle.

And this is the finished product! You can also do them plain as you see on the bottom. I have given these on a few other occasions as well, and people love them. They are nice and thick and look nice too.

Do you have inexpensive gift ideas?

Neighbor Gift Poem

Remember this post about making scour pads for dishes?? If you pair it with a dish towel, here's a great little poem you can use as a neighbor/teacher gift:

This Christmas you deserve the very best-

a present unlike all the rest.

I considered a new car or exotic cruise,

but decided on something you could really USE.

Finally I found a gift you would admire:

I hope you enjoy your new washer and dryer!

Inexpensive Gift Idea and Tutorial

Dish scrubbies are incredibly useful and so easy to make! Unlike sponges, they do not harbor bacteria. When you are done scrubbing your dishes, give it a once over, or just pop it in the dishwasher. These work great on counter tops and stoves too!

My grandmother gives them to neighbors as gifts every year, and they are all so excited to receive them. I think if she ever stopped doing it, she'd have a stampede at her door.
Materials Needed:
Nylon netting
Scissors
Large Crochet Hook
First, cut the nylon into a long strip. I make my strip a little over an inch. This does not need to be exactly measured. When I'm cutting my strip, and I get to a corner, I just turn and keep on cutting.

Next, chain 4 and connect into a circle. After that, just single crochet in the circle until you get the desired size. When working the middle, you'll need to put 3 single crochets in each spot. Around the outside, you can cut back to 2. Basically just put enough stitches in to make it lay flat.

And voila! An incredibly useful item for dirt cheap! These take me about 10-20 minutes each to make, but a good project to do while watching wonderful Christmas movies.

If you want, you can attach them to a little thing of dish soap and attach a clever poem. Any ideas on the clever poem part?