Grandma's Makeup Remover pads

My daughters and I are trying to go as natural as possible, so I have been making assorted reusable and "green" hygiene items for quite awhile. We use these makeup remover pads all the time. 

To use, we store them wet and ready to use in a lidded, airtight container with a small amount of alcohol free witch hazel (alcohol free is IMPORTANT! Get the best brand you can).  You can also add things like pure aloe gel or olive oil to your mix - There are plenty of DIY remover recipes available online. I have had the best luck with plain old witch hazel.

After these pads get used/ dirty, we collect them into a mesh lingerie bag I have hanging near the tub.  This is so none get lost in the wash.

I can get 11-12 pads made from one ball of the solid yarn. I normally make white or ecru, but my daughters prefer the colors. These can be made from dishcloth leftover yarn bits and are a great portable project.

They also make a great gift for environmentally conscience friends. 

Pattern as follows.. 

(PDF download is at the bottom of the post)

This pattern is modified from the traditional Grandmothers Favorite Dishcloth - It makes a 2.5 to 3 inch square pad that fits very nicely in a snap-lock container… Your results may vary depending on how tight you knit and what size needles you use.

Yarn is worsted 100% Cotton - Lily Sugar'n Cream, Peaches'n Cream, Knit Picks Dishie, Lion Kitchen Cotton - anything like these

Needle size - US 6 (4.0mm) .. Note: I have made lots of these pads and I wouldn't substitute needles any larger than US 8 or smaller than US 6 if you want good results

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Grandma's Favorite Makeup Remover Pads

Long Tail Cast on 4 stitches

Row 1: Knit 2, YO, knit across
Repeat this increase row until you have 18 stitches on your needle

(I have also made these with 16 stitches.. I think those are too small for my use, but if you want a tinier cloth, try that)

Row 2: Knit 1, K2 tog, YO, K2 tog, knit across
Repeat this decrease row until you have 4 stitches on the needle
Bind off and weave in the ends

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Please WASH your little pads before you use them for the first time!!  These pads can handle a very hot, sanitizing wash.  Expect them to shrink up a bit and give a nice, square, scrubby surface.

Find on Ravelry - Grandma's Makeup Remover Pads (opens new window)

Download PDF file - Makeup remover pads PDF