BamBam has also passed. I found him one day on his back right in the middle of the tank as if he jumped off the red rock to his death. I hoped he was molting but alas after a few days when his tank emitted the foul stench of crustacean death, I decided it was time to do the right thing and clean it out.
I'm visiting my grandmother in Hong Kong in about 5-6 weeks. Planning to send my love by knitting her a cozy and fabulous shawl. Since I haven't experienced a HK winter since I was 7 years old, I posted a note to Hong Kong Knitters on Ravelry to ask for yarn suggestions and patterns. Hope to get some replies soon so I can buy the yarn and get cracking. While it would be nice to have something to knit on the plane ride, ideally I would want to finish and block it before going to HK.
Been mulling over these patterns for now.
Woodland Shawl
Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl
Clapotis
Showing posts with label pattern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pattern. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Shawl for Grandma
It's been quite a while since my last post. No doubt it's because I have not knitted much since winter. You know the usual excuses: summertime, laziness and such.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
O pretty pretty!
I just cast on for a pair of mesh gloves for my mom's birthday. Yes...it is WAY belated considering her birthday and party was this past Saturday. To be fair, I only found Eunny Jang's free pattern from Interweave Knits website 2 days before that and I just can't seem to find time to knit, nothing inspired anyways. I ended up choosing a lavender mercerized cotton yarn over what I originally intended, which was to try out something bamboo/silk. However, I think this will work out very well and my mom will love them.
Since my last dreary post, I have kept my head out of the water by knitting something simple and repetitive with all the left over yarn from bf's Swelling Skull toque & roommate's 1up Mushroom Headband. It's the circular shrug by Julia Allen (pattern here). The choice of colors is not that nice but meh, I need to do something with all that leftover yarn and I need another sweater/vest/anything to keep warm around the office. I don't really care if it's "ugly". The only problem is that I probably have to order more of the yarn to finish it off. So that'll be my second old faithful running project aside from the Never-ending Afghan.
I really find myself becoming a huge fan of Eunny Jang's work. Her other design in this quarter's Interweave Knits is the Katharine Vest. Absolutely beautiful! I love how her designs are classic, fine and modern all at the same time and they always perfectly showcases her design abilities. She is an amazing designer.
Since my last dreary post, I have kept my head out of the water by knitting something simple and repetitive with all the left over yarn from bf's Swelling Skull toque & roommate's 1up Mushroom Headband. It's the circular shrug by Julia Allen (pattern here). The choice of colors is not that nice but meh, I need to do something with all that leftover yarn and I need another sweater/vest/anything to keep warm around the office. I don't really care if it's "ugly". The only problem is that I probably have to order more of the yarn to finish it off. So that'll be my second old faithful running project aside from the Never-ending Afghan.
I really find myself becoming a huge fan of Eunny Jang's work. Her other design in this quarter's Interweave Knits is the Katharine Vest. Absolutely beautiful! I love how her designs are classic, fine and modern all at the same time and they always perfectly showcases her design abilities. She is an amazing designer.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Yarns GALORE!
I'm so excited I just want to go home and do nothing but knit, knit, knit away on the new yarns I got from the LYS. Even though it is so boring at work, I am just giddy with anticipation of getting my hands back on the new secret project, already in progress. If only I could just knit blind, under the desk and have some silly contraption involving functioning or non-functioning prosthetic arms smashing away at the keyboard as if to type as I stare blankly at the screen, silently whispering to myself, counting my stitches and rows. It'd make a hell of a comedy skit, that's for sure.
Anwyays, for just over $100 after taxes, I got 23 balls of yarn in total, enough for 3 bag projects and then some. Everything was purchased on sale. 4 balls of Sublime at only 10% off but the yarn is so soft and smooth I think it's perfect for the project at hand. 9 balls of Artico Mondial, for a cable shoulder bag pattern at Garn Studio. These and the Twilleys Freedom Cotton DK in an awesome yellow I got at an amazing 75% off. The 10 Freedom balls came out to $17.50 all together!!! Amazing! There's nothing like a good sale of anything and everything. The yarns I got for the secret project and Garn's pattern are a little less chunky than they should be but I'll just have to adjust. More details will come later on the progress of the projects and new ideas.
I was a kid in a yarn candy shop! So many colors, so many textures, so much on sale, it was wonderful to touch, feel and dream about. It was difficult to hold myself back but it had to be done. Otherwise I would have about 50 balls of yarn in my house right now. For now, the addiction is sated.
Anwyays, for just over $100 after taxes, I got 23 balls of yarn in total, enough for 3 bag projects and then some. Everything was purchased on sale. 4 balls of Sublime at only 10% off but the yarn is so soft and smooth I think it's perfect for the project at hand. 9 balls of Artico Mondial, for a cable shoulder bag pattern at Garn Studio. These and the Twilleys Freedom Cotton DK in an awesome yellow I got at an amazing 75% off. The 10 Freedom balls came out to $17.50 all together!!! Amazing! There's nothing like a good sale of anything and everything. The yarns I got for the secret project and Garn's pattern are a little less chunky than they should be but I'll just have to adjust. More details will come later on the progress of the projects and new ideas.
I was a kid in a yarn candy shop! So many colors, so many textures, so much on sale, it was wonderful to touch, feel and dream about. It was difficult to hold myself back but it had to be done. Otherwise I would have about 50 balls of yarn in my house right now. For now, the addiction is sated.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Dreaming of Loopy-Loops
It's a slow day at work. Month-end madness is over, it's a lazy (though gray) mid-summer Wednesday. Everything's grinding to a halt. It'll be the perfect day to skip out early. The boss and men with offices are all out, and with 5 full hours to go, I pretty much have nothing to do. How is this possible? Well, I won't get into that on this blog, but all this boredom leads me to think about possible knitting projects.
Actually, I already have 3 bags lined up for knitting, but the possibilities are just endless. I've been meaning to make my way down to the LYS to take adavantage of their sale and just to get a better feel of yarn textures out there. The first time I stopped in, I was still "tied down" to a project. I am practically free now. The half-made afghan is just to tide me over until the next fix, it's my knitting rations. Knitters Attic is actually having a sale until this Friday and I tried to get in Sunday but they closed earlier than I expected. I figured on the weekend I would have all the time in the world to pick out what I wanted. Now I'm left with tomorrow only with a measly half to one hour after work if I make it there in time. It's probably for the best. This way I don't have a chance to overspend.
While I dream of the wonderful possibilities, it leads me to reading and research on new techniques far ahead of my skill level but it is just so gosh darn interesting. There are some great pictures and instructions on double-knitting at Stitch Diva and a nice toque pattern on Knitty. Aside from creating a thicker fabric and a positive/negative effect in color, there doesn't seem to be much more use for the technique. Since I don't really like knitted materials that are too hot, it doesn't sound like there is anything I want to try and make. Although in the back of my mind I am convinced there is more to be discovered in it. I'm even reading about crochet but I find diagrams for that to be much more confusing somehow. Maybe I'm tackling too much at the same time, juggling while running before learning to walk kind of thing.
On another note, I noticed today the owner of Knitters Attic had left me a comment on my post about the shop. I have to say I am a little embarrassed because first: I didn't think anybody would ever read my blog but I guess she saw a track back somehow because of the link to their site; second: I am embarassed because I said she was too nice for my taste and I wanted to be a loner. While that is who I am, I hope she isn't offended by my remark. I'm just shy and weird sometimes (most of the time). I meant no harm at all.
I submitted my derivative Barcelona Bag pattern to Knitting Pattern Central over a week ago, hoping to get some people to read this blog, or at least enjoy the feeling that possibly other people in the world are making "my" bag. When I submitted I got a reply from the site owner but it's still not up. Maybe they thought it was a rip-off of the original pattern. It is and it isn't you know? Anyways, I'm a little bummed because I felt so good about it before, oh well.
Actually, I already have 3 bags lined up for knitting, but the possibilities are just endless. I've been meaning to make my way down to the LYS to take adavantage of their sale and just to get a better feel of yarn textures out there. The first time I stopped in, I was still "tied down" to a project. I am practically free now. The half-made afghan is just to tide me over until the next fix, it's my knitting rations. Knitters Attic is actually having a sale until this Friday and I tried to get in Sunday but they closed earlier than I expected. I figured on the weekend I would have all the time in the world to pick out what I wanted. Now I'm left with tomorrow only with a measly half to one hour after work if I make it there in time. It's probably for the best. This way I don't have a chance to overspend.
While I dream of the wonderful possibilities, it leads me to reading and research on new techniques far ahead of my skill level but it is just so gosh darn interesting. There are some great pictures and instructions on double-knitting at Stitch Diva and a nice toque pattern on Knitty. Aside from creating a thicker fabric and a positive/negative effect in color, there doesn't seem to be much more use for the technique. Since I don't really like knitted materials that are too hot, it doesn't sound like there is anything I want to try and make. Although in the back of my mind I am convinced there is more to be discovered in it. I'm even reading about crochet but I find diagrams for that to be much more confusing somehow. Maybe I'm tackling too much at the same time, juggling while running before learning to walk kind of thing.
On another note, I noticed today the owner of Knitters Attic had left me a comment on my post about the shop. I have to say I am a little embarrassed because first: I didn't think anybody would ever read my blog but I guess she saw a track back somehow because of the link to their site; second: I am embarassed because I said she was too nice for my taste and I wanted to be a loner. While that is who I am, I hope she isn't offended by my remark. I'm just shy and weird sometimes (most of the time). I meant no harm at all.
I submitted my derivative Barcelona Bag pattern to Knitting Pattern Central over a week ago, hoping to get some people to read this blog, or at least enjoy the feeling that possibly other people in the world are making "my" bag. When I submitted I got a reply from the site owner but it's still not up. Maybe they thought it was a rip-off of the original pattern. It is and it isn't you know? Anyways, I'm a little bummed because I felt so good about it before, oh well.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Barcelona Bag
When I made a size M Barcelona Bolero from the Lion Brand pattern, I was left with almost a whole ball of Homespun. I already used about 20 ft to sew up the seams of the bolero, so I can't return a slightly used ball of yarn! That's when I decided to design a matching bag/cluch to the bolero. It really just takes the same stitch patterns on the bolero and applies it to a simple bag shape. This is my first pattern, give me some feedback please. Hope you like it!
DIMENSIONS - 12.5" wide X 7.0" deep w/o handles (make handles as long as you want)
MATERIALS
1 ball x Homespun®: Barley - 6 oz/170g, 185 yd/167m (98% acrylic, 2% polyester)
16" Circular Needles Size 10 (6mm) *I knit everything with Denise needles
2 x Stitch Markers
Yarn Needle
GAUGE:
13 sts + 18 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in Broken Rib pattern.
STITCH EXPLANATION
Broken Rib
Row 1: (RS) knit all
Row 2: (WS) * K3, p2, rep from *
Rep Rows 1 & 2.
Round B-Rib
Row 1: (RS) knit all
Row 2: (RS) * P3, k2, rep from *
Rep Rows 1 & 2.
Open Stitch
Row 1: K1, * YO, k2tog, rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep Row 1.
NOTES:
1) When increasing, be sure to incorporate new sts into pattern as established.
2) This only used up about 2/3 of my leftover ball of Homespun, so if you want to make a slightly bigger bag, just adjust the increases or knit more rounds so your base and sides are bigger. If you do make a bigger bag, I suggest making the trim more than 10 rows to balance how it looks on the bag.
3) I used Size 9 needles to get a tighter weave but the size should be similar enough with Size 10 needles.
Base (18 rows)
CO 25 st. R1: Work in Broken Rib.
R2: start Broken Rib with last st of patt (p1), cont patt to end. Inc 1 at beg & end of RS rows 4 times, starting on R3 - 33 st. Cont 9 more rows in patt, dec 1 at beg & end of RS rows 4 times starting on R11 - 25 st. BO.
Sides (30 rows in the round)
Lay base so RS faces up. Pick up 33 st along one side of bag base, try to pick up st to match st in patt on base, place marker - half round. Repeat on other side. Work 33 st in Round B-Rib for half round, stop at marker, repeat Round B-Rib on remaining half round to make one full round. As tubular structure forms, RS should be on the inside. Cont for 25 rounds. Inc 1 at beg & end of half round on both sides every other row 3 times - 78 stitches. BO. Flip piece inside out so that RS is now facing out.
Trim (10 rows)
Pick up 39 st on one side. Work in Open Stitch for 10 rows. BO. Repeat on other side. Sew sides of Trim together. Alternatively, you can just pick up 78 sts and work in 10 rounds of Open Stitch.
FINISHING
Handles
Make two 6 st I-cords to lengths of your preference. Sew ends of I-cords to seam between Round B-Rib & Open stitch.
Lining
Grab a magnetic clasp and something from the odds & ends bin from the fabric store to sew yourself a lining for a nice finished touch!
Tip: Make the lining no taller than the Open Stitch & Round B-Rib seam to ensure that it is still hidden.
DIMENSIONS - 12.5" wide X 7.0" deep w/o handles (make handles as long as you want)MATERIALS
1 ball x Homespun®: Barley - 6 oz/170g, 185 yd/167m (98% acrylic, 2% polyester)
16" Circular Needles Size 10 (6mm) *I knit everything with Denise needles
2 x Stitch Markers
Yarn Needle
GAUGE:
13 sts + 18 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in Broken Rib pattern.
STITCH EXPLANATION
Broken Rib
Row 1: (RS) knit all
Row 2: (WS) * K3, p2, rep from *
Rep Rows 1 & 2.
Round B-Rib
Row 1: (RS) knit all
Row 2: (RS) * P3, k2, rep from *
Rep Rows 1 & 2.
Open Stitch
Row 1: K1, * YO, k2tog, rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep Row 1.
NOTES:
1) When increasing, be sure to incorporate new sts into pattern as established.
2) This only used up about 2/3 of my leftover ball of Homespun, so if you want to make a slightly bigger bag, just adjust the increases or knit more rounds so your base and sides are bigger. If you do make a bigger bag, I suggest making the trim more than 10 rows to balance how it looks on the bag.
3) I used Size 9 needles to get a tighter weave but the size should be similar enough with Size 10 needles.
Base (18 rows)
CO 25 st. R1: Work in Broken Rib.
R2: start Broken Rib with last st of patt (p1), cont patt to end. Inc 1 at beg & end of RS rows 4 times, starting on R3 - 33 st. Cont 9 more rows in patt, dec 1 at beg & end of RS rows 4 times starting on R11 - 25 st. BO.
Sides (30 rows in the round)
Lay base so RS faces up. Pick up 33 st along one side of bag base, try to pick up st to match st in patt on base, place marker - half round. Repeat on other side. Work 33 st in Round B-Rib for half round, stop at marker, repeat Round B-Rib on remaining half round to make one full round. As tubular structure forms, RS should be on the inside. Cont for 25 rounds. Inc 1 at beg & end of half round on both sides every other row 3 times - 78 stitches. BO. Flip piece inside out so that RS is now facing out.
Trim (10 rows)
Pick up 39 st on one side. Work in Open Stitch for 10 rows. BO. Repeat on other side. Sew sides of Trim together. Alternatively, you can just pick up 78 sts and work in 10 rounds of Open Stitch.
FINISHING
Handles
Make two 6 st I-cords to lengths of your preference. Sew ends of I-cords to seam between Round B-Rib & Open stitch.
Lining
Grab a magnetic clasp and something from the odds & ends bin from the fabric store to sew yourself a lining for a nice finished touch!
Tip: Make the lining no taller than the Open Stitch & Round B-Rib seam to ensure that it is still hidden.
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