Re-use silica gel bags

 

by Ivana
The silica gel bags we often find in shoe boxes usually end up in the trash, just because we believe they’re completely useless and even toxic.

However, the truth is that there is no poison in them whatsoever. They are filled with a substance called silicon dioxide which shouldn’t be eaten but it can be very useful around the house. They’re a non-toxic inert desiccant that will dry out anything around them. Here is how you can use them:

1. Put them in your gym bag

These bags’ main purpose is to absorb the extra moisture and protect your shoes. Bacteria mostly thrive in damp and moist environments so they can help you eliminate the dampness and germs from your gym bag. They can also eliminate the foul odor.

2. Put them between towels

Prevent your towels from getting damp and smelling unpleasantly by putting a few of these in the towel cabinet.

3. Make your razors last longer

Instead of leaving your razor around in the bath where it’s always wet put it in a plastic container with a few silica bags inside. It will make it last longer.

4. Save your drowned phone

When your phone drops in water and gets all wet instead of putting it in a jar of rice try the same with silica bags. Fill a jar with them and put your mobile in, it will be much more effective.

5. No more foggy car windows

I most definitely adore this one, since foggy car windows cause me a lot of problems especially in this damp weather season. This goes to all you drivers out there; it’s a true lifesaver in the winter. Instead of waiting for the air conditioning to do its job, which in older car models can take forever, put a bunch of these silica gel bags under your windshield from the inside immediately. You’ll see that tomorrow your windows won’t be foggy. It’s the fastest way to stop your windows from fogging up and you’ll save yourself the 10 extra minutes needed to clean them up.

6. Save your old photos

Old photos usually deteriorate with time, which is really sad because they are the sole reminders of our past and are quite dear to our hearts. Put a couple of silica gel bags in your box of old photos to save them from the dampness that can ruin them.

7. Save your make up

Every women needs to have a bag or two of silica gel in her make up purse to stop the powdery make up from curdling.
There you have it, 7 fun and useful tips which can make your life easier. Next time you buy something with silica gel bags in it don’t throw them away, they can be quite useful. Can you think of another way you can use these bags, maybe you’re already using them for something we haven’t mentioned? Please share your thoughts and ideas, we can all learn something new.

Crochet Hat 7 - Blue & White

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 This hat uses the same pattern as the candy cane (red & white) hat 4

Total time = 4 hours 35 minutes

· 6 mm crochet hook or J hook
· loops & threads® impeccable™ yarn White & red heart® super saver® yarn, solid Blue

Pattern:

Chain 46

1st Row

Skip first chain and Half Double crochet stitch in the 2nd chain from hook, then down the row into each stitch. At the end of the row turn toward body, then double half crochet into Back loop of 3rd stitch, then in each back stitch down the row, 45 stitches.

At the end of the row Chain two and turn work over towards body.

2nd row

Half Double crochet stitch in 3rd chain in the back stitch down the row.

After doing two rows of each color hook in next color (without fastening off & cutting string) and continue to change color ever two rows until you have 40 total rows (10 changes of color, each with 2 rows of the same color), or measures about 15-16 inches to fit around head when stretched. Be sure to end on the opposite color as the first row.

Stitch together
 
When complete, slip stitch together. Make sure the side you want on the outer side of the hat is folded in while slip stitching. Then weave in the end where you changed the yarn colors and cinch in for the top of the hat. 

Video Tutorial

Crochet Scrubbie 3 - Wine

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 The 3rd Scrubber I've crocheted with another new pattern, this one uses a continuous stitch instead of doing two identical pieces and stitching them together. It starts and ends on each side in the center.

 

 With a continuous stitch, each side looks different because different stitches are used.

It makes a nice puffy appearance 

Total time = 50 minutes

· 6 mm crochet hook or J hook
· Falk 3-Inch Net Mesh Wine


Pattern:

Make a magic circle

Row 1

In the magic circle chain 3, and 11 Double crochet stitch (12 total)

Slip stitch to connect circle

Row 2

Double crochet into same stitch as chain 3

2 Double crochet in each stitch

Row 3 - Edge

Chain 1, single crochet stitch in the back loop only of each stitch

Row 4

Single crochet in back on each stitch for 4 stitches, then toggle 2 (decrease) and repeat

Row 5

Single crochet in back on each stitch for 2 stitches, then toggle 2 (decrease) and repeat

Row 6

Toggle 2 (decrease) and repeat

Video Tutorial

Crochet Hat 6 - Metallic Teal & Metallic Sea Breeze

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This hat was done with the same pattern as my Hat 4 (red and white), however I used a very different yarn, a silky metallic yarn, so it took 60 rows instead of 40 to make 15 inches in length, and turned out very short, so it's in no way a slouchy hat. In fact it had no room to even fold up! But makes for a well fitting basic beanie.  

 I guess it's best fitted for a seven year old child!

I made this had to match my wrist warmers for myself, but clearly belongs on this lovely head instead ^_^

Total time = 6 hours 5 minutes

· 5 mm crochet hook or H hook
· patons® metallic™ yarn – Metallic Teal & Metallic Sea Breeze
 
Pattern:

Chain 46

1st Row

Skip first chain and Half Double crochet stitch in the 2nd chain from hook, then down the row into each stitch. At the end of the row turn toward body, then double half crochet into Back loop of 3rd stitch, then in each back stitch down the row, 41 stitches.

At the end of the row Chain two and turn work over towards body.

2nd row

Half Double crochet stitch in 3rd chain in the back stitch down the row.

After doing two rows of each color hook in next color (without fastening off & cutting string, and continue to change color ever two rows until you have 60 total rows (30 of each color), or measures about 16 inches to fit around head. Be sure to end on the opposite color as the first row.

Crochet Hat 5 - Sparkling Navy blue

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Basic Beanie

This is a basic Large Adult beanie hat that will fit a head size 19inches to 22 inches around. It ended up being a little big for my head, so would fit a male head well. I followed a video tutorial and ended up doing 17 rows instead of 18 rows. It because a nice loose hat for my head. 

This hat was made with a sparkling yarn that didn't show up in the photos, but looks gorgeous in the light. It's a very dark navy blue with a sparkle lighter blue thread weaved in.

Total time – 2 hours 30 minutes

· 5 mm crochet hook or H hook
· isaac mizrahi® craft™ broadway yarn – Belasco

Crochet Hat 3 - Baby Blue

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Ribbed Baby Blue Hat

 

Total time = 6 hours

· 6 mm crochet hook or J hook
· Lion Brand Pound of Love (4) – Pastel Blue

Pattern:

Make sure you have the same number of stitches per row! Don't forget to do a single crochet in the first stitch and chain one at the end of each row. 

Chain 41 (I would prefer to chain 45)

Skip first chain and Single chain down the row. At the end of the row turn towards chain one, turn toward body, then single crochet into Back loop of 2nd stitch, then in each back stitch down the row, 40 stitches. Repeat around 37 ribs (about 15-16 inches long for an adult size). 

Crochet Hat 2 - Baby Blue & White

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Total time = 2 hours 20 minutes

· 8 mm crochet hook or L hook
· Bernat Blanket Yarn – Baby blue and White

Pattern:
For Bottom Ribbing

Chain 6

Skip one chain then Single stitch into each stich (5 stitches)

Chain one and turn towards the body

Skip one chain then Single stitch into back stitch of each stich (5 stitches) and repeat until long enough to go around the head

Hold together and close the band and slip stitch together.
For top part of hat

Do a single stitch around the band, one on the top of a ridge and the following on the dipping in part of the ridge all around, this one turned out to be 41 stitches total.

Fasten off and start a new color if making a multi-color hat as I am. Single stitched around for 3 rows then change colors. Repeat for next 3 rows of the white color.

On the 7th row, starting the blue color again single crochet one row and on the 2nd row of the blue start to decrease by doing a decrease stitch followed by a single stitch all the way around for the next several rows until it closed in to fit.