Photo Frenzy!

I have my camera back! I thought I'd update my knitting progress.

First, I finished my Stag Bag:
The liner isn't quite right...Tippi's how-to was really helpful. I think I need to reinforce my strap. I wanted an over-the-shoulder I knit two i-cords but they stretch and really pull on the bag so I might add a fabric underside to the straps. I haven't had time yet for that. The bag is usable (and being used). I have to admit to being a bit wary about my talents and desire for the bag, but it's so great. I'm so glad to have tried this bag.

I also made another bag this week:
I didn't quite have the right colors to make the Candy Corn Bag. My bag also really belled out when I felted it. I used Patons wool. I've felted with this before, but it really acted funny this time. The different colors seemed to felt at different times. I think the original is much cuter, but this was just a quick little project. Halloween is so close and I want to be able to use it this year.

Finally, I started another baby sweater:
It's the Jo-Jo Basic Crew Sweater from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-ease worsted weight yarn, so it's not so natural, but I am trying to work through my stash still. There's a lot of cute ideas in this book.

It's done!

I finally finished the Stag Bag! Overall, I'm happy with it. I found a great lightweight cotton canvas to line it with - the dots match the dark yarn perfectly! I made it a tote rather than a shoulder bag, although the handles are big enough to fit over my shoulder, but not too long so the bag hits the ground when carried as a tote.

So, how did I line it? Well, since my sewing skills have deteriorated significantly since 7th grade Home Ec, I just winged it, taking some guidance from Grumperina's post on how she lined her knitted tote (check out the awesome ribbon handle tabs!). I made an inside-out bag just smaller than the Stag Bag (18 x 17 inches!) and sewed a couple of pockets onto it, then slid strips of plastic canvas into the top to give it more strength. I lined the handles with strips of fabric and hand-sewed it all together.

With the dense knitted fabric, the canvas lining, and the plastic reinforcements, it's a really sturdy bag and I hope it gets a lot of use this winter. This project was a real challenge for me, and totally worth it. AND! I have a whole extra skein of the beige Lamb's Pride left over! I can't decide whether to make a hat or mitts...




And here's the finished Eyelet Yoke Sweater from Lion Brand; the dye lot change isn't even noticeable!

Zombie knitting!

Because I can never pass up posting fun knitting ideas:

My Picture-free post

I don't have my camera! I forgot it at my parents house this weekend! I might not be back before Christmas! What am I going to do?

I will still mention my weekend work. I finished the body of my stag bag. I am blocking it right now, but I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't knit the sides up before I did it! I now have a fuzzy bag and will have to find a nice seam when it is dry. It is huge! I was imagining it to be purse-ish bag size, but it's going to fit my lunch, book, and cat with room to spare. I think that a liner is required so it doesn't stretch to the floor when I stuff it full of my vagabond life. It sure would be great if Tippi could give a tutorial of how to add a liner...

My other weekend project was the socks that I've been working on all year. I finally got the bug to finish them, but I just finished the second heel and I don't have enough yarn! I'm about two inches shy. I really can't follow whatever rule I laid out all that time ago. I am constantly running out of yarn for projects. Gah. This makes me mad only because I should have enough for two socks, but I guess I like the sock to be longer than normal. Maybe I just have legs a piano can stand on :) In any event, I might try and find the yarn again--does dye lot matter all that much? On the other hand, I probably won't wear these things.

I feel like my whole weekend was a waste!