All Day Long

Why was this so hard to get the lining in the bag? Geez, it took me most of this Sunday, frustrated at times, but I finally got it to work. I guess I was off on my initial measurements of the interior and after the first try it was way too big...it still is, but at least it really won't show to the world that way. It has 2 nice interior pockets for stuff and lots of little folds to hide things (not necessarily by choice) and two black leaf zipper pulls. All in all...a success!

I don't know why it keeps photographing SO BLUE...it really is a lot more purple than these photos suggest. And, it is somewhat smaller in reality too.

The First Felted Bag

I forgot about this bag...my first felted one.

Evening Urban Bag

Well that's what the pattern calls it. I adapted this pattern [only the body] from the Noni Urban bag series. Not quite certain why this is called an "evening bag". I always think of evening bags as small. Although this one is the smallest of the series, far from an evening bag. It looks bigger in the photo than in reality. I finished the pain-in-the-ass zipper a short while ago. Hate putting zippers in, hate it.
I am going to carry it this afternoon and see what comments I get...still need to line it and maybe, maybe embellish it just a bit...and maybe not! It certainly is chilly enough outside today to carry a wool tote!

15th Wedding Anniversary Flowers

Today is our 15Th wedding anniversary. It is a hot day just like it was that day we married at the Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. I actually think it is hotter today and thank goodness I am not wearing that beautiful long silk gown...
My Mom sent these flowers to us today...thanks Mom they are beautiful. Dinner out tonight to complete the celebration of the day!
Today I have been working on the new sock with the Lorna's Laces and the blue/purple Noni evening bag. I am making more headway with the bag today than the sock. The pattern on the sock is a bit tedious but beautiful. It takes so long to get through the repeated pattern that it seems like it will take an eternity to finish just one! I got the Vogue Ultimate Sock book yesterday - tons of great ideas there for the other Lorna's yarns.

Just Couldn't Wait

I got a call from my lys on Saturday evening, just about the time they were closing and not open on Sunday...just couldn't wait to get in there yesterday (Monday). If I had more $$$ I would have bought the entire colorways, so I settled on these colors. I just couldn't wait to get my needles into a sock when I got home. There is something really special about Lorna's Laces, the way it slides through your finger when you knit with it...the softness. A bit pricey, but worth it!

Sunday Felting Fun

The other day I was rooting around in a closet and guess what I found? At least 5 years ago I started this felted hat and got about 3/4 the way finished, got bored I guess and put it into a tote bag with the pattern and some other interesting items [won't mention those]. I wondered what ever happened to my 24" #11 needle...yesterday I decided to finish the hat and I ended up with only 6" of yarn left...scary! I was sweating bullets thinking after all this time and I can't finish this hat. Didn't keep the info band so I have no idea what the yarn is and after 5 years it probably would never be available anyway. Felted it up - took 5 times to get it to felt in my front loader but it did finally make it's way into a wearable hat. Looks better on my head than honey bear's.
In between the looks into the washer for the felting and shrinking process I started the Noni Evening Bag with a few changes. I made it a little deeper than the pattern and I am going to change the handle so that it is all one piece instead of attaching it in pieces with rings...the bright color is more purple than the photo shows. That was a fun day of knitting while my husband studied law...I am a law widow.
Now mundane Monday...and bill paying time!

Make Me A Bird So I Can Fly Away

The finished Pie R Not Square Shawl. You know for just plain old knitting, garter stitch, this came out nice. It is so soft, so light and airy and very warm. Can't wait for Fall and chilly temps to wear it. Yesterday, if I did have wings I would have flown away. Not a great day for me...but today, another day with all kinds of opportunities ahead.

Sweater Weather

It's starting to feel like that time of the year to start thinking about sweaters. These two are from last year, but still looking okay. Both are Debbie Bliss patterns with a few slight changes I made in the sleeves. The green sweater's color is funny looking on my computer screen. It is not quite as drab looking as it appears. I will have to say that lately I enjoy knitting other things, like Afghans, shawls, purses, etc. Last year I was into sweaters. Love them, but not so far this year.

Pie R Not Square Shawl

This is really hard to photograph to do it justice. It really looks great on, but alas...no one around to capture it for me, and I certainly will not put it on since I am not officially dressed for the day, yet. Later, if I am lucky, I will ask my husband to photo it.
Now, off for a walk in the morning fog...

Finished Felted Tote...

Tah Dah!!! What a success. It took 4 washing cycles to get this to felt. I have never used Cascade 220 before, always Patons yarn to felt with. I will have to say that Patons, at least from my experience, felts faster and less fuzz in the dryer and washer. But, all in all, a great success. The color of the photo below is more true to the color, which is just like peat moss. The pics I took outside grey the yarn more, but you can see the detail better.

PEAT MOSS TOTE - before

Just finished knitting the tote! It is in the washer as I write this, felting away to transform itself into an unbelievable bag. The size of the unfelted bag is about 15" x 13". Hope all goes well in the wash.

What You Do On A REALLY HOT Day!

You knit with wool...I stated this tote and just got too hot and sweaty working on it, so...I am passing along my pattern, adapted from another. It really is just too hot in this house...86!!!!!





Double Bottom Felted Tote
Yarn: Cascade 220 or Patons (5 Skeins)
Needle: Size 11, 24” circular
Spare circular in Size 9 (for 3 needle bind off)
Notions: Markers, 4 stitch holders, tapestry needle
BOTTOM
With #11 circular needle, loosely cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join. Being careful not to twist sts.
Rnd: 1 Purl.
Rnd:2 K1, *M1, k1 and mark this st with a split marker. M1, k36, M1, k1 and mark this st, M!,
*k2; repeat from *to* once, end k1 - 88 sts.
Rnd:3 Purl.
Rnd:4 Knit to first marked st, M1, k1, M1, *knit to next marked st, M1, k1, M1; repeat from
* 2 more times, knit to end of rnd - 96 sts.
Repeat Rnds 3 and 4 until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 Rnd.
BODY
Knit even in St st (knit every rnd) for 64 rnds. Adjust if necessary the number of rounds knitted to change
The depth of the bag. Knit 6 rounds in Garter st (knit one round, purl one round).
TOP
BO 10 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 stitches on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 sts on
Holder, BO 4 sts, place next 12 stitches on holder, BO 4 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO last 10 sts to end.
HANDLES AND TAB CLOSURE
With #11 Double Points or Circular needle slip first 8 stitches from holder to needle. Knit every row
(Garter Stitch) for 3 ridges or 6 rows. Start I-Cord handle strap on these 8 sts for 90 rows. Knit 3 ridges
Or 6 rows. Using kitchener stitch to attach I-Cord to stitches on holder same side as just worked. Work
Opposite side to match. Slip center 12 sts onto #11 needle. Knit every row (Garter Stitch) for 21 rows.
Slip 4 sts to holder, BO 4 center sts. Make I-Cord closure with 4 stitches approx. 4” long. Attach to 4
Stitches on holder using kitchener stitch.
SECOND BOTTOM PIECE
With circular needle, cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work same
As the first bottom until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 rnd. With spare smaller circular needle, pick up the top
Loops of the last purl round of the tote bottom. Place the second piece on top of the tote bottom. Holding
Both needles in your left hand, and with the bottom of the bag facing, work a 3-needle bind off.
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends on WS. Felt Piece. My technique: first wash: fill sink with approx. 3” deep of very
Hot water and ¼ soap. With rubber gloves to protect your hands agitate piece for about 5 minutes. Do not
Rinse, transfer tote to washer. Place in with tote a pair of old jeans. I use a front loader. There will be
Enough soap from the first washing to be sufficient. Turn machine to the Wool and Silk cycle setting (on my machine it runs for 30 minutes). After that cycle is complete check the shrinkage and felting results.
I usually give it another repeat but on the Rinse and Spin cycle (approx. 17 minutes). After that is
Complete check to see if the desired amount of felting and shrinking has occurred. I shape the tote
By stuffing it with plastic garment bags. Leave to dry.
Sew on a big button and enjoy!!!
Adapted from Felted Knits by Beverly Galeskas