Bittersweet

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break (no school and pumpkin pie!), but I'm also very sad because my best friend, Stephanie, is moving to Arizona. Since wool socks and scarves aren't quite appropriate for the temperatures down there, I came up with something else for her (which she'll be recieving in the mail for Christmas).

Steph's Arizona Bag
Materials:
- Size 10 (US) straight needles
- Size 10 (US) circular needles
- Worsted weight wool (I used Patons Classic Wool in Currant [or maybe Burgundy; I'm not too sure] for the bottom and Rosewood for the body and strap)
- Tapestry needle

Pattern:
CO 40 sts.
Work in grater st., slipping the first st. of each row, until your work is approximately as wide as it is long (you want a square). This was about 9 inches for me.
BO all sts.

Using circular needles, pick up stitches around the perimeter of your square. The number you pick up isn't terribly important. I picked up 40 on the BO edge, 38 on the side, 38 on the CO edge, and 39 on the other side, coming to a grand total of 155 stitches.

Join in the round. Knit all rounds until bag reaches desired height (roughly 13 inches for me).

BO 17, k6, BO remaining sts. Attach working yarn to remaining 6 sts and work back and forth in stockinette stitch until the strap reaches the desired length (about 21 inches on mine).

Using the tapestry needle and your yarn, securely sew the end of the strap to the opposite side of the bag.

Weave in ends and felt lightly. Let dry (over a form, if you'd like [see below for an example]).

And now, pictures!


This is the base of the bag.


















Knitting the sides in the round.


















Finished the bag.


















Knitting the strap.


















Completed strap.


















Stitch definition pre-felting.


















Stitch definition post-felting.


















My sophisticated felted-bag drying apparatus (i.e., a cardboard box with a plastic grocery bag over it).


















The finished bag that Steph will get in the mail. :)


















Happy knitting! :)

More Socks

I finished the second pair of socks that I had been working on (using Silver's Sock Class). They're purple and have flecks of red, blue, yellow, and green in them. Not sure specifically what yarn it was (lost the label).

I love socks.


P.S. I'll be publishing a pattern soon. Here's a sneak peek:

Socks are awesome!

Finished a pair of socks using Silver's Sock Class and worsted weight variegated yarn.

















I love them! They're really comfortable, and there's something about turning a heel that's almost magical. I'm working on a second pair now. I'll post pictures when I finish them.

Knew I'd Forget Something

I always forget something, and this time is no different. I started a knitting club at school!! Yay me! We meet once a week, and it's been really successful! I've got at least 4 or 5 people that always come (not including me, my mom, or my younger brother). It was really funny the first week when 4 guys from the football team showed up and started knitting! But they really gave it a shot, and some even enjoyed it!

Before I Forget...

Before I forget to post this again, I have a knitting pattern to share.

Easy Peasy Sleevies (Titles are not my forte.)
These sleeves started out a simple rectangular shawl, but I wanted something that would both keep me warm and stay in place. And so the sleevies were made.

Materials:
-Any worsted weight yarn
-Size US 8 needles
-Tapestry needle

Pattern:
(Gauge is not terribly important in this project)

CO 65 stitches.

Work in garter stitch until desired length (about 54 inches for me, but I'm short). You need it to be long enough to go from one wrist, across your back, and down to the other wrist.

BO all stitches.

Using the tapestry needle, sew the long edges of the rectangle from the end (CO or BO edge) for however long you need (Mine was about 15 inches from wrist to underarm) to form sleeves.

I will post pictures soon to clarify things. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

*Edit* Pictures! I hope these help to clear things up, but if you're still confused about something, just let me know!

It's Been a While

It's been quite a while since I posted anything. Nothing to really post about anyway. Well, I'll take that back. I've got a couple things.

1. Homecoming (which was way back in September, but oh well)- I went. That in itself is a surprise, but what's even more surprising is that I HAD A GOOD TIME. Probably cuz I danced with the guy I like. And, for the record, I asked him to dance. :)

2. Pictures- I know I said I'd try to post pictures, but I don't have my own digital camera. But that will change after Christmas, so expect more pictures then.

3. Knitting- I recently finished a knitted ruana using yarn that my grandmother got for me that came from my great-aunt's alpacas. It's super warm and super soft. I have pictures of that, so I'll see if I can figure it out...


Success!!