Squares for Grandma Purl (Gma Purl)

It was important to me to get my squares knit up not only because my new friend, Kristy, asked, but because it is for something important. Wow, I can help someone by tapping my passion for knitting from way up North in Michigan? I'm in!

I just quickly pinned the blocks out and still need to get them blocked and they are due to Kristy by 11/10. That will get finished this weekend.




The plan is to pop them into the mail net Tuesday. There will be a little something extra for you, Kristy, so look for this package.

There is still time for you to knit a square for the afghan - check out Grandmother Purl for the details.

On the weather front, I wanted to share these photos from our weather a week ago - The people from Michigan have always told us if we didn't like the weather here, stick around for 5 minutes - it is true!

10/12/06 7:00A
10/12/06 7:40A
10/12/06 9:50A

Arrival of the Scarf and Revealed Identity

My scarf is incredible! There was a package waiting for me on my doorstep yesterday - and I had mixed feelings. Excitement to find out the true identity of my pal and finally see my scarf, but with a tinge of disappointment that the scarf exchange would be over.

Ok, my excitement won out and I opened the box (quickly).

Quick side note: ANYTIME ANYTHING has the word 'Fragile' on it, our entire family pronounces it FRA-GEE-LEE. You know, from The Christmas Story? Receipt of the infamous Leg-lamp?



Kristy!!! (Go visit Kristy at her blog)


Thank you so incredibly much - first for being a wonderful friend and also for all of the goodies. My scarf is incredible - The yarn: Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton Silk is heavenly soft around my neck (yes, I've tried it on) and the Cables in Relief pattern you chose are perfect for the yarn. The colors? PERFECT!


Kristy also sent special music chosen just for me (note the yarn-ball insert), a wonderful box of goodies - lotion, cable needle, stitch markers, post-its, point protectors, and tape measure - but that wasn't all...a bottle of local wine - Merlot? my favorite! Kristy had been thoughtful enough to know that my scarf would enjoy a glass to help it adjust to it's new home! BTW, my new CD is playing now.



Many thanks to Kristy who has been so much more than just my scarf knitter - I look forward to joining you in your afghan project - grandmotherpurl.blogspot.com in case anyone else **HURRY - squares need to be received by 11/10/06!! **is interested. Also, to joining you in blogland when you are ready to knit your first pair of socks.

My favorite scarf will be put to use right away - in SNOWED last week - brrrrrrr.

Ok, one last pic because it better shows Kristy's fine craftsmanship - keep in mind that I am less than a month out of jaw surgery - I'm still wired and swollen - truly, I am smiling on the inside!
Click HERE for picture - Note to self: Peruse the reasons why Blogger will not ever upload the LAST picture you want posted -damn it, foiled again!

Knitting on the needles and yarn in the closet

Christmas gift knitting time is here. Truth be told, I feel a bit behind but thinking through it logically things are probably on schedule.

The Littlest Princess has 2 sweaters in the FO pile and the yarn came for the sweater planned for Big Brother. The back is complete and this is the front pocket. The yarn turned out better than imagined - The color is Firecracker Heather (Wool of the Andes - Knit Picks) but I think 'ketchup'. The pattern is a hoodie from The Purl Stitch which reminds me - those patterns are written very, very well. Great for a beginner or for a relaxing brain-free knit.

Branching Out in Debbie Bliss Pure Silk was finally blocked and came out very nice. The cast on/off edges were loose because I wanted to try blocking that asymmetrical end out straight and it came out perfect. My battery died and pictures will be posted of that next week.

***Fiber Guru, this is especially for you***
My Schaeffer Yarn - Marjaana (yes, this is the correct spelling - not the one I said before wink wink) came today and pictures were taken before the battery died -- get ready, here it comes

I ordered Mary Breckinridge and am completely thrilled with the colors - they are so me!

3 skeins at a fraction of the cost you spent (sorry, couldn't help it)!
***End special note***

The Anne was also on sale and 2 skeins came to live at my house. A shawl or something was in the planning when it was ordered, but I've forgotten and will have to re-think my thinking. This is the link to the color ordered, but as always, it is much nicer 'in person'.


This was my first order from Little Knits and I was utmostly pleased to not only find a handwritten note from Rebecca, but to receive free upgraded shipping - I will definitely take my business back to Little Knits.
- Me happy customer!



The weather has been blah for the past 2 days - instead of subjecting you to more complaints, I thought to post a picture that represents where we truly are in the season and insulate us from the cold winter winds-a-blowing outside - thank goodness the snow melted (mostly).

Thoughts on Gap's Skinny Black Pant

The Skinny Black Pant?

Can it be a good idea? Maybe, but definitely not for people who have passed the age of 12 or weight of 82 lbs.

I LOVE Audrey and think that Gap has made the effort, but really, how many people will be squeezing into these little babies who shouldn't - subjecting the rest of us to having to explain to our impressionable, maybe chubby, daughters the reason they CANNOT wear those pants?

Hey, Gap - how about some pants for the rest of us? Pants that make a sagging butt look firm and aging thighs look 6" round? I'd buy bunches of those in a minute!

Here is a link to the whole commercial which I love to watch over and over again - The Skinny Black Pant

And a link to a knock-off which is sideways, but funny in it's own right

Completed Black Bunny Hop-a-long

If you haven't knit with yarn from Black Bunny, you don't know what you're missing!

I fell in love with this color - Cornucopia - as soon as it was posted on the Etsy site. The color was much more incredible once it arrived.

The pattern is from Stahl Socka Cotton No. 26 - pattern 24.

After knitting the first sock I decided to begin the second at a different point in the colorway resulting in my pair of Perfectly Unmatched socks.

The photo at the upper-right shows the true richness of the color.

Now....off to decided on my next project - I have some incredible lace weight yarn in the color Copper Beach and only need to decide what to make of it.

Anne the mail - International Scarf Exchange 3

TADA!

My pal's scarf is finished--but not in the mail yet. I am very happy with the blocked results - it was painstaking to block. There are a few doo-dads I want to put into the package and I'll need to bribe my mom to tote me around to find just the right things. I feel fairly safe that I have not prematurely revealed my identity, but will probably not post to ISE3 website until the package has been officially mailed.

In my quest for the 'perfect Anne scarf pattern', I had run across a headband pattern that lends itself well to this yarn. It was boring to make, but only took a few hours yesterday. I could not manage a decent photo of the final product so I am hopeful that my pal will take a pic with it on and I will post it. If it turns out the headbands are not her thing, it could be a cool re-gifted gift.

This has been a wonderful experience that I will definitely enjoy again. I wish I had been as good and frequent of a pal to XXX as my pal - Knit Purl-has been to me. God does truly send us what we need when we need it.

What's next, you ask? Wellllll....I have my OTHER black bunny wild sock to finish and I did get a fieldtrip to a close yarn store this week (it really tired me out, though). I couldn't resist some bright pink-ish Anne by Schaeffer and a skein of La Boheme by Fiesta in color 1114 Clematis and finally, enough yarn to make a felted Foo Foo bag for Bugg's pal Alyssa (top secret color, but it's cool!)

One more shot for the road....

Yikes! Were those Addi turbos?

Check out this cute video - almost 7 minutes, but cute. Makes me think about my knitting obsession (but only for a second)

The Last Knit

The cure for what ails you

You thought my cure is -- yarn, right? Typically, I would have guessed that myself but I am able to gratefully report that it is truly the care, wishes, and prayers of the ones who pray for you.

I am recuperating at home. What is it about the comfort of your own pillow, pj's, or dog laying his/her head on your lap that makes it so much better? (OK, Darby the ever-caring, gentle terrier will lay his head on your lap anytime - Lucy is the terrified terrier and jumps to run after looking me over).

Thank you so much to everyone who has expressed care and concern - I'll be getting to you individually as soon as I am able.

So...on to the yarn. I had strategically placed an order from The Fold and it arrived while I was in the hospital. My wonderful BDCH dutifully trucked the package to my room for me to smell. My Goodness, WHERE did I find this man!!! It has been tucked into the 'yarn vault' for now.

He also brought cards from my pals - Fiber Guru (It does hurt to laugh) and from my scarf exchange pal - Knit Purl. Sue - my 'faraway knit friend' and Melanie, Bugg's friend. Everyone at church and work... I feel so lucky to have everyone to keep me in good spirits.

I have completed a few rows of my Pal's scarf and have been eyeing the Black Bunny sock that is calling for finishing, but progress is slow. I know it is not about the progress - it is about the process and the healing is woven into each stitch.

Black Bunny'in along - fast and wrong

The excitement to receive a package from Black Bunny yesterday was hardly contained!

The yarn was wound within minutes of hitting my door step and I stayed up into the wee hours to produce this much of my sock. I'm not the poster child for swatching so I will be ripping this down to start anew -- but on BIGGER needles!

Seriously, this yarn is such a dream to work with - I don't even mind.

Imagine how much I will have finished at this time tomorrow!

Packages Received!

I'll admit it - I bought this shirt!

A shop we found while on vacation had a few (in tiny sizes). They can be found at Knitiot Design Studio



This shirt came wrapped in a yarn tied bag - how could I resist?



The post office was very good to me today!

I was beginning to worry - with the yarn for my scarf pal and no pattern to swatch it to and a pattern for the Black Bunny Hop-a-long and no yarn...what's a girl to do?

My Black Bunny came - Cornucopia sock yarn is more fantastically wonderful than I could have imagined! A pattern was already chosen - something I'll post later from an old Stahl pamphlet. Admittedly, I did cast on and have the cuff and almost half of the first repeat finished (give me a break, it is a 47 row repeat!)

The laceweight ordered came in the same package (thanks to Carol for saving me postage) The colorway is CopperBeach and it will have to wait in my stash for a bit while the ISE3 scarf and Hop-a-long socks are being finished.

The colors and quality of Black Bunny is incredible and I can't wait to order more. I've already asked for some red/rust/plum in a worsted weight - I have the perfect pattern chosen and can't wait to receive the yarn after it is ready.




Last week I broke down and ordered this yarn from Scout. It was hand dyed especially for me and shipped right out. The colorway is Harlot's Mums. Each skein is 420 yards - I buy 2 of everything!

Scout has a line of Hurricane sock colors - check them out on her site
I will DEFINITELY want to knit with this soon!


Last but not least, I received the pattern for the

I Love My Scarf Exchange Pal!

Your messages are great. I love the chat and feel sorry for the rest of the participants who should be VERY envious. The excitement is nearly uncontainable.

Hope you are able to catch a few winks to make up for your early morning pattern surfing!

My buddy's pattern has been ordered - I have a wierd quirk that entails always buying at least 2 of everything (you would think I'd have grown up during the Depression). I ordered two possible patterns (at least - heh, heh) and some Koigu and Zephyr yarn that I've been hankering for -- I NEEDED to in order to hit the threshold for free shipping.

Yarn is bliss, pure bliss!

Knitting Wicked

...And knit WICKED I did!

The long Labor Day weekend was kind to me and the knitting goals were accomplished - ALL 3, and here are the photos to prove it.

Little Princesses' sweater is awesome. Some pinks and more yellow would have been more girly, but the finished product is pleasing to the eye. It was going to be shipped this week, but there is a little package to go that is very important and the sweater will have to wait.

During my last visit, I promised a shopping trip and Little Princess knows she needs money from her dad...our shopping is delayed so a package will go out - I will make it back as soon as I can.

How cute can those tiny Calvin's be?

To Little Princess: Keep asking your daddy for money, Aunt Kniterella will be there as fast as she can!

Egebo is also FINISHED - with an adjustment to knit the collar on circulars. The plaited cable turned out nicely and is seamless.

With the way our weather is going, it will probably be worn soon and often this season - bah!

Although Branching Out in Pure Silk did not get blocked, all of the stitches are in - I've made this pattern twice and get a little bored with it. It is a good pattern and is excellent for gifting -- IF you can make yourself finish.

Special Note: Blogger is picture upload is working wonderfully today, the sun is shining - life is good

Mitzi traveled to an Art Fair this summer and thought of me while she was there. She found a scrumptious knitter pin - there was only one left - and she got it for ME! How lucky am I? Good knitting friends are a staple of life and Mitzi is the best!

My far away friend, Sue, might want to nab a few of these for Christmas gifts for her knitting girls!

They have all different hobbies and professions on their site and the craftsmanship is excellent. Most of the photos are of earrings, but you should be able to order the pin if you prefer.

Shout out to Fiber Guru! Theresa FINALLY has an 'official handle' and she hasn't made an appearance on my blog for awhile. She has been wicked busy running to market to purchase loads of good things for Needleworking and gearing up for the holidays (you can't stitch a gift overnight, can you?...) She is teaching on Tuesdays (ha ha, I will see her today!) and her classes are always entertaining. Check out her most recent newsletter and don't forget to sign up for her mailing list!

----I'm off to create something amazing and beautiful!

Knitting Slump? and Tennis

As I labored through the 2nd sleeve of Little Princesses' sweater yesterday, reality hit that I'm in the 'knitting slump'. I am a finishing knitter and have few UFO's - which means I am pretty strict with myself about how many projects I will cast-on before finishing up works in process.

The entrelac sweater will be blocked today and will be a quick sew-up; put on the neck ribbing and it's ready to go.



Branching out which I cast-on during knitacation is nearly finished. I decided to use the entire 2 skeins of the Pure Silk to increase the length.

Egebo is still sitting on the corner of my desk HAUNTING me! It's true, I feel it's presence RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT - it justs need sewn together - it's been blocked - arggg!

These 3 things must be completed for me to be in tip-top Scarf Exchange conditioning - By the end of the weekend (long) I will have them complete!




Off the subject:
Did you see Agassi's match last night? Oh my gosh, it was FANTASTIC! Wouldn't it be fabulous if he could retire on top? Well, at least make it to the final match? His opponents are being boo-ed and it seems the entire stadium is filled when he plays. Go Andre, we're rootin' for you!

International Scarf Exchange!!!

Back Home Again?
We made it home from the beach...and it is 15 degrees cooler here which means I am very unhappy!

Actually, for more reasons than that - the sunset in this photo takes my breath away. It may be the incredible memories associated with it - all of the kids were there (which meant much dissention) and the bugs were biting even with the skeeter stick - it was still truly incredible!



The Scarf Exchange is coming, The Scarf Exchange is coming!!!
In catching up on e-mail, I ran across the International Scarf Exchange beginning very soon - jump on the skein and sign up! Seriously, I've wanted to participate in an exchange but the timing has been off. Plus, there is the memory left from my 6th grade gift exchange where I got the crud gift and the really cool present I really wanted (the one I brought) went home with someone else... not to scare off my pal!

This is an opportunity to participate for a minimal investment - I can't wait!

I've submitted my questionnaire and am looking forward to finding out who my pal will be

Knitacation

How could a vacation be better?

Sand
Surf
Family
Knitting
...Not in that order!

FAMILY
Ok, all parts of vacation aren't EASY...how often is it that you spend 24 hours a day with your family members? Sure, you love them, but you discover those little nuances about each other's personalities that you've forgotten that you love (and those you forgotten because you don't).

The weather has been fabulous - I LOVE it hot and humid, Mother Nature is cooperating! The doggies are not heat tolerant so they've been enjoying the air conditioning a lot and go out for their walks in the evening. Lucy jumped into the pool immediately upon arrival. Apparently, she can swim, but Bugg fished her out and she has not chosen to go swimming again. Sadly, no pic of that

SURF
Bugg and I sat on the beach and were lucky enough to see a pod (is 'pod' the right word?) of Dolphin playing just off the beach. They stayed for quite awhile - some swimmers stayed and others made a beeline for the shore. Fins are fins and after a small shark swam up in inches of water a few years ago, I rarely go in above my ankles. I was finishing up Deb Macomber's A Good Yarn that a friend sent on vacation with me and missed a Sting Ray jumping up out of the water, but Bugg enjoyed seeing it.

SAND
...Dare I say more? Sand is nice when it is on the BEACH, not when it comes to you on shoes, in cars, or hidden in swim suit creases

KNITTING

Of course, I brought knitting! Bugg's Lucy bag went into the washing machine as soon as we arrived - We love it, but thought the strap could be longer.

I dug out the yarn for an Entralac sweater for the littlest princess and have finished the back.



Needing a break, I cast-on Debbie Bliss pure silk for the Branching Out pattern from Knitty. I had made this pattern out of some cream-colored alpaca last year (Christmas gift). It turned out well and I thought the melon colored silk would be interesting.



Bugg's bug (yarn bug, that is) has continued - I haven't purchased yarn for myself, but we took time to put together yarn for Periwinkle by Louisa Harding - a cute wrap that she will start soon.


OTHER
I finished A Good Yarn AND my re-reading of Steinbeck's East of Eden. Dad slipped me a book by Lawrence Block that I will read next - Dad said it had some 'dirty parts' and a little smut is always good when you are on the beach. I found it interesting that on the dedication page, Block indicated The Earth is Flat - this book was published in the '70's. I read John Friedman's recent The World is Flat, I wonder if there will be any similarities in Block's publication (not likely). Just a closing thought, we'll see where it goes.

Evolution of Dance Link

This link is funny - no, it's not my husband!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Will road trip for yarn!

Finally! I finished my Sea Shell Bag - It does look like the picture on the pattern, but the pattern required too much construction for me to LOVE it. It is also a bit big. I found the shells at Bead Haven. WOW! They have a lot to choose from.

Bugg has caught 'the bug'. She is metamorphosizing in front of my eyes - becoming a yarn-a-holic (like me).

It wasn't difficult to talk her into going with me during that week of driving I mentioned a few posts ago. We planned to leave early on a Friday morning - we would drive a couple of hours, get the work finished, and hit a canoe livery well before lunch. We stuck to our plan and finished in plenty of time, but it was 68 degrees! I was willing to dredge forward with the plan, but even Bugg thought it a bit cool to be getting into the water.

We fished out the Shop Finder from Knitter's and headed out on a mission! By the time the day was through, we had explored 3 1/2 yarn stores - I will explain.

Our first stop was at Apple Tree Lane in Clare, MI. The shop doesn't look like a yarn store. They offer many gift-type items and other craft materials. Tucked into a side room, we discovered a very nice selection of fiber. Bugg finally found the colors she was hunting for the felted Lucy bag.


The owner's daughter was very helpful and interactive, AND she had just finished her first sweater!

Next up, Midland, MI. We were hunting for The Granny Square (more on that in a moment), but ran into some problems with directions. After a call to work for clarification (thank you, TH and BW) we arrived at Lily Lane Knits. The shop was small, but had many brands to choose from. The Debbie Bliss Pure Silk tempted me, but we left with a link to Layla and Bugg plans to make it in the future.

Feeling adventuresome, we headed back toward The Granny Square...this is how I KNOW that Bugg is hooked:

Have you ever gone to a shop and, through the extremely rough exterior, discovered a wonderful array of offerings that you didn't know how you lived without? The Granny Square is DEFINITELY not that for me! Remember, I am a self-professed yarn snob...I didn't want to even touch anything in the shop. It was small, crowded (not with yarn), and felt dirty. The front of the store contains used stuff - maybe antiques, I wouldn't get close to it. Bugg was browsing and touching and happy just being near any fiber. When she was finished, I dashed to the car to make my getaway!

It was getting late and we had time for one more stop and honed in on Yarns & Such in Freeland-we never found the shop.

Summary:
Apple Tree Lane - Two knitted swatches
Lily Lane Knits - Could get by with swatch
The Granny Square - Don't buy the yarn to knit a swatch
Yarns & Such - N/A

Part 2: Crochet 101


My crochet lesson from Stitcher Bomb last week was a success! Many thanks to SB for the help and the company. This picture chronicles my progress (or lack thereof) after 2 hours. Not to worry, The stitch is repetitive and I have been zooming along ever since.





I quickly decided that I really wanted the RY Cashcotton for my picnic rug soooooo - this one will become a Christmas gift for a very lucky someone (I hear the bantering begin, everyone will want it). The colors are kind of masculine, don't you think (hint, hint).

2nd Place Felted Foo Foo Bag

The Yarn Garden held a felted purse contest and this bag (my first official design) came in 2nd. Bugg immediately claimed it and carries it often. Queen Moo (Ma) snagged the first one I made and a pic of hers is at the end of this post. The Queen's purse has the 'D' ring detail.

FREE KNIT PATTERN
Materials
10 ½ Circular Needles
700 Yards Worsted Weight Wool
40 Yards Eyelash
1 - Large ‘O’ Ring (or bauble of your choice)
4 - ‘D’ rings that coordinate with bauble (if desired)
Coordinating fabric for lining (if desired)

About Gauge:
I don’t know any knitter that likes to swatch, so jump on in and start knitting. Relax and keep the stitches a little loose. This bag will be felted and small differences in stitch size will not be apparent in your completed masterpiece!

If you must compare, my gauge with Cascade 220 is 14 sts and 19 rows to 4 inches

Directions:
Create the bottom of your bag:

Using waste yarn, cast on 50 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
**Switch to yarn for your purse**
Rows 3-47: Knit (garter stitch)
**You will have 22 ridges across your knitted piece**

Begin the sides of your bag:

Round 1: Knit the 50 stitches on your needles; Pick up 1 stitch in the corner; Pick up 21 stitches down the side; Pick up 1 stitch in the corner; Cut away waste yarn and transfer 50 stitches onto spare knitting needle (or the other end of your circular needles); Continuing around the bottom of your bag, Knit the 50 stitches that came from the waste yarn; pick up 1 stitch in the corner; Pick up 21 stitches down the side; Pick p 1 stitch in the corner
**You should have 146 stitches on your needles**

Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of your rounds. Bag is worked in the round from here.

Round 2: K50, K2TOG, K19, K2TOG, K50, K2TOG, K19, K2TOG -4 sts decreased, 142 sts on needle (marker is here)
Rounds 3-60: Knit with yarn for your purse
Rounds 61-63: Knit with yarn for your purse held together with Eyelash
Rounds 64-72: Knit with yarn for your purse
Rounds 73-78: Knit with yarn for purse held together with Eyelash
Rounds 79-96: Knit with yarn for your purse
Round 97: Purl with yarn for your purse
Round 98: Knit 10; Bind off 28 stitches (one stitch is left on the needle from Bind off); Knit 10 stitches; Place 1 stitch left from Bind off and 10 knit stitches on one stitch holder (#1); Bind off 21 stitches (one stitch is left on the needle from Bind off); Knit 10 stitches; Place 1 stitch left from Bind off and 10 knit stitches on one stitch holder (#2); Bind off 28 stitches (one stitch is left on the needle from Bind off); Knit 10 stitches; Place 1 stitch left from Bind off and 10 knit stitches on one stitch holder (#3); Bind off 21 stitches (one stitch is left on the needle from Bind off); Knit 10 stitches; Place 1 stitch left from Bind off and 10 knit stitches on one stitch holder (#4); Knit 10 stitches.

**You should have 11 stitches left on your needles**
Begin the straps for your bag

Strap 1
Knit 150 rows

If using ‘D’ Rings: Continue to knit for 6 additional rows.

**If NOT using ‘D’ Rings, you must be careful not to twist your strap while attaching it**

Attach your first strap:

Graft 11 stitches on needle to 11 stitches on holder #1

Strap 2
With right side of bag facing you, transfer 11 stitches from holder #2
Re-join yarn for your bag
Knit 150 rows

If using ‘D’ Rings: Continue to knit for 6 additional rows.

**If NOT using ‘D’ Rings, you must be careful not to twist your strap while attaching it**

Attach your second strap:

Graft 11 stitches on needle to 11 stitches on holder #4

Make your Purse Flap

**23 stitches are picked up in the middle of one side of your purse where you bound of 31 stitches**

With right side of bag facing you, go in 4 stitches from one strap edge, pick up 23 stitches

**You should see 4 stitches between the end of the end of your needle and the side of the next strap**

Rows 1-16: Knit
Row 17: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)
Row 18: Knit
Row 19: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)
Row 20: Knit
Row 21: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)
Row 22: Knit
Row 23: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)
Row 24: Knit
Row 25: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)
Row 26: Knit
Row 27: Knit 2 stitches, SKP, Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches have been decreased)

**11 stitches remain on your needle**

Knit 36 rows

Bind off all 11 stitches

Felting your purse

Everyone has their favorite way to felt. This bag was painfully felted in a front-load washer and it took a few cycles to get it to the desired size. I do not like to see ridges in my felting and prefer to continue washing until the fabric is smooth and free of ridges.

Finished purse measured 11” tall and 10 ½ inches wide.

Once felted to the desired size, I pulled and shaped the bottom into an oval and shaped the flap. I always stuff my felted items with newspaper and continue to change it until the item is dry.

Finishing your purse

If using ‘D’ rings: Leaving ¾“ of the strap on the bag, cut the longest part of each strap from your purse
**You will have 2 completely separated straps and the body of your purse with ¾” ’nubs’ sticking up from the 4 areas where the straps were attached**

Using your leftover bag yarn, sew the ’D’ rings on by putting each ’nub’ through the straight part of the ring and attaching the ’nub’ to the inside of your purse

Re-attach the straps (being careful not to twist straps and attaching them front-to-front and back-to-back of your purse-otherwise, your arm will not go through the purse your correct way) . I used a sewing machine and stitched the end of the felted strap to the inside after threading it through the ‘D’ ring.


If desired, using a sewing machine with a decorative stitch and coordinating thread: Stitch along the long sides of the straps - this will prevent your straps from stretching

Wrap the end of your purse flap through the large ‘O’ ring and sew the strap end to the back of the strap. The end of the ‘O’ ring should hang about 3” from the bottom of your purse.

Cut a sturdy piece of cardboard slightly smaller than the bottom of the bag in an oval shape. Insert the cardboard and line purse with coordinating material.






Original pattern created by Kniterella 11/2005