Create a Multipurpose Care Package for Your Knitted Gifts

September 11th, 2008 in other crafts, patterns & designs, knitting, gifts

Tina Hilton, contributor

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This great-smelling packet offers care instructions along with heartfelt sentiments.

Dont forget to set your printer to give you a mirror image.

This great-smelling packet offers care instructions along with heartfelt sentiments.

Photo: Tina Hilton

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Take the time to create an extra-special gift enclosure. Hours of planning and execution go into the knitted gifts we create for family, friends, and special knitting causes. The time it takes to choose the perfect pattern, consider yarn options, and put in hours of loving stitches may go unnoticed by the recipient of our labors. We hope that they will love and care for the little treasures we share, but once it is out of our hands, we don’t know.

Borrowing from my quilting tradition, I’ve designed a label that expresses our sentiments and provides fiber content and care instructions. Taking it one step further, I’ve partnered it with a spiffy anti-moth sachet to ensure that the knitted item is cared for properly and endures the elements.

Supplies
Computer and printer
T-shirt iron-on transfer sheets
Sachet bag, 3 x 5 inches, 100 percent cotton muslin
10-inch length of salvaged yarn from the project
Moth-repellent potpourri

Step by Step
Draft the label in a Word document. Include the following information:
• Name of recipient
• Your name
• Date
• Personal message
• Fiber content
• Detailed washing instructions

You can make the label fancy by using a clip art available in Word. Go to the toolbar on top of the page and select Insert, Picture, Clip Art, and type in “border or frame.” Choose from a wide variety of borders from elegant to whimsical. Make sure you size the label to fit on the bag.

Print the label onto an Avery iron-on sheet.

Don't forget to set your printer to give you a mirror image.

Cut the label to size.

Trim the label to fit the bag.

Iron the label onto the bag following the manufacturer’s instructions.

When you iron it on, only the design and text will transfer.

Replace the cotton drawstring with scrap yarn from the project by threading a tapestry needle with yarn and working it through the drawstring sleeve.

Fill the bag almost to the top.

Fill the bag with lavender cedar moth repellent.

Personalize the bag by swapping out the cotton string drawstring with project yarn.

Potpourri Mix recipe
Cedarwood chips: 5 cups
Lavender: 4 cups
Tilia flowers: 2 cups
Cellulose fiber fixative: 1 cup
Cinnamon sticks: 1 inch, 1 cup
Cinnamon fragrance oil: several drops

The 3 x 5-inch bags hold about 1/2 cup of this yummy-smelling concoction, so you can fill a bunch of extra bags for your closets and drawers. If stored in an airtight container away from extreme temperatures and direct light, your potpourri will last for years!

Supply Resources
T-shirt iron-on sheets: Avery Light T-Shirt Transfer available at most big-box office-supply stores and Wal-Mart
Moth-repellant potpourri: San Francisco Herb Company
Sachet bags: San Francisco Herb Company

Acknowledgements
Thanks to the San Francisco Herb Company for sharing their famous Cedar Chest Moth Away recipe. For optimum moth protection, it is recommended that you clean your wool knitted items prior to putting them away for the season. San Francisco Herb Company suggests that you replace the potpourri in your bags at this time with a fresh batch.

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