BAGS AWAY!



Showing off new bag.

Confession: I am not just a knitter.

As a young teenager, I learned to sew and since money was very tight, I sewed many of my own clothes with fabric I bought from part-time jobs. I even sewed for friends.

In 12th grade I bought my own sewing machine, a Singer, for $99. It did zigzag and had a zipper foot attachment. I retired it a few years ago when it started having some problems (close to 40 years of faithful service) and my husband surprised me with a new one, which also was a basic sewing machine. I'd checked out a few of the new models that had computerized this and that, but they seemed too over the top for me (and kind of expensive). The new one was light to carry and perfect for my needs.

While I don't sew too many clothes now, a few years ago I ventured into another area. I had an inexpensive bag with a top zipper that was perfect for traveling and holding my knitting project at home. I could sling it over my shoulder and it had an inner pocket. One day the zipper broke and I contemplated replacing it. But as I looked at it, I thought,  hmm, I could make one and add some other things--like more pockets. Can you ever have too many pockets?

So off to the fabric store. Some years before this, I'd also picked up a "carpet" bag, which I loved, so the upholstery section seemed to be the place to start. The remnant section was like a treasure chest bursting with all kinds of interesting designs and sturdy fabric, which is essential in a bag if you want it to last. My dear husband, who has a great eye for colors, was with me, so together we chose some fabrics. Why be limited? Zippers, straps, lining, and thread all followed.

I used the purchased bag as my initial pattern and then modified. It took a while to get the pattern down so that all of the pieces fit well. I then made pattern pieces from newspaper.

Probably a couple dozen bags have come off of my sewing machine since then, with all but a couple as gifts. I find them fun to make and to give, and I keep looking for things to add or change, though the basic design remains.

So this past week, I sewed two bags (pictures below). Christmas is coming ... and I have a list of people those who have been nice!

Cheers,

Reah Janise

FINISHED - HUSBAND HUG

Despite the various delays, I finally finished my dear husband's sweater. He likes to call the sweaters I make for him "hugs."

While I would like to take credit for this lovely pattern, I cannot. I modified it from Man's Entwined Circles Pullover by Melissa Leapman. Her pattern has the cabling front, back, and sleeves, but as I edged toward completing the front, I realized I did not have enough yarn to complete the sweater that way (cabling can really eat yarn), so I did a basketweave stitch (see below) for the back and sleeves. And since I had purchased the yarn on sale--and all that Heavenly Socks Yarns had in that dye lot--I could not get more. I trimmed it with red as a little different style thing. I finished the sweater using just over 16 balls.

The yarn is Classic Elite Yarns Chesapeake, half wool, half cotton. I had no qualms about how the yarn would fare as I'd knit the Ziplock Sweater from the same yarn and it kept its shape and styling throughout the Scotland trip. Unfortunately, the first time Hadan wore it (and just for a few hours) it stretched an inch or so. Perhaps this is why I don't like to knit cotton sweaters unless they are lace. I can only assume that at some point the yarn became too heavy, which resulted in the stretching.

Close up of the cable patterns.

Just like life, knitting doesn't always do what you want it to do. So what's the plan? Rip it out and figure out what I can do with this yarn that will work. Maybe an overall basketweave, in which case not all of the hard work will have been in vain.

Meanwhile, I've also finished a pair of fingerless gloves and will talk about this adventure in my next post. And right now I'm working on a pair of socks. Christmas is coming and my list of sock giftees is growing ... !

Keeping it real,

Reah Janise

Basketweave stitch:
  Row one: Purl two, knit two across.
  Row two: Knit two, purl two across.
  Row three: Knit two, purl two across.
  Row four: Purl two, knit two across.

THE RAVELLENICS GAMES & TEAM WANDERING WOOL

Crossed the finish line!

As part of the Olympics spirit, Ravelry staged the Ravellenics Games. I signed onto Team Wandering Wool. My sport? The Holden Shawlette knit with Wandering Wool's Helvellyn Sock yarn, cranberry bog. She has lots of other delicious colors.

This was a fairly quick knitting pattern and the lace pattern was easy to follow and memorize. I started the project on August 2 and completed it August 9.

My only concern was the bind off. The pattern called for a Picot bind off. ... The what?

My dilemma was attempting something new (and messing it up) or going for it.

Well, we all know that Olympians don't shirk the tough stuff, right? So, I dove in and was delighted to see the result. The picot bind off produces little bead-like ends, which give this pattern a wonderful finish.

Now on to complete my husband's sweater!

Huzzah!

Reah Janise

Details of wave pattern and Picot bind off.

LITTLE BIRDIES

Four little birdies waving at you.

Knitting allows for many types of expression. Lately people around me have been having babies. Well, it's always fun to make a sweater, blanket, booties, even a bonnet for a baby. But last fall I came across a cute toy design in Ravelry. Rebecca Danger designed Chubby Chirps. They are adorable, and one can easily be knit one in the evening after work.

The other great thing about them is that you get a chance to use up yarn scraps. I made a slight modification on the first one I knit and liked it so much, as did everyone else who saw it, that I stayed with it. Basically I added hair. Yes, I know, birds don't have hair. But, look at what you can do with it! I even made dreadlocks for them.

I also move their wings so that they looking like they're waving. They also kind of remind me of the Adipose babies from Dr. Who. (Oh!, just discovered there are Adipose baby crochet patterns available, just Google Adipose babies Dr Who.)

Anyway, I've lost count on how  many of these I've made since then, but I have given them to a children's shelter, adults, friends, newborns, and even one to my mother who is in long-term care. I just made a new batch and finally took a picture.

If you decide to try them--and want to add hair--just keep all of your ends, like the cast-on tail, the tail left from sewing on the wings, nose, and eyes, and the tail once you sew up the top of the head. I bring them up through the top of the head. Crochet the tails to make dreadlocks.

Oh, if you are making it for a baby, make sure you anchor the wings. Babies love to pull on them. Fortunately I'd done that for the first baby recipient.

Sock yarns make the tiniest birds. Add a loop and it can be a Christmas ornament!

Having fun,

Reah Janise

P.S. Meanwhile, I signed up for the Ravellenic Games on Wandering Wool's team to knit something during the Olympics. Have had to set aside finishing the sweater for my husband (I keep making changes to it!) which was close to being done before heading off to Scotland.

COLOR CHANGING AT CAFE IN SKYE

A gorgeous thistle

Stopped at Red Skye Restaurant, a lovely cafe a few miles past the Skye Bridge on the Isle of Skye.

The table was adorned with a two flowers in a vase.

Reminded me of Wolle's Color Changing Cotton.

Oh, and the food was excellent!

Beauty and no beasts,

Reah Janise

Shawlette I knit from Wolle's Color Changing cotton

MADE IN SCOTLAND (and over the Atlantic)

First of the pair completed in Inverness.
Second one completed over the Atlantic on the return flight.
Click here for pattern.

Close up of the pattern stitch. Click here for pattern.

I wouldn't be much of a knitter if I didn't take a project along with me whenever I travel. Socks are the easiest to travel with because the project doesn't take up too much space. My only problem is that I inevitably drop a needle on the airplane floor or between the seat cushions or in some other weird area. My beleaguered husband then frets while I try and retrieve the needle or cable hook or whatever little piece of equipment for which I am on the hunt.

After dropping needles twice on the recent trip to Scotland and (oh no!) breaking one of the wooden double pointed needles (the first ever!) (yeah for that extra needle), I have decided that the next pair of socks will be made with two circular needles. Then hopefully the worst I can do is drop a cable hook or a stitch.

Meanwhile, I started and finished a pair of socks for my dear husband on the Great Scottish Yarn Expedition of 2012. Even better, I've posted the pattern should you want to knit a pair for yourself or some other lovely person.

I'm now finishing the sweater I'd started before this trip. One last sleeve to go!

Happy knitting-ing!

Reah Janise

THE GREAT SCOTTISH YARN EXPEDITION OF 2012

The Expedition turned up some lovely yarns, as featured on previous pages, but now it's time to get a better look at these lovelies. 

The Expedition's Treasures

Scappo Aran, Shetland Wool from KI Yarn Boutique, Edinburgh

Multi-color hand-dyed Orkney wool from K1 Yarn Boutique, Edinburgh 

Natural color (yum!) North Ronaldsay wool, Kirkwall

Shilasdair natural dye, Skye Shilasdair Yarn Shop, Waternish, Isle of Skye

Shilasdair natural dye, Skye Shilasdair Yarn Shop, Waternish, Isle of Skye
A lovely, lovely place.


Time to create!

Reah Janise