Barb: March 2008 Archives
Posted on 03/31/2008 by Barb
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Knitting
Looking through back issues of various knitting magazines I came across a lovely bag I will make one day. The pattern is called "Vina Bag" and was written by Lucinda Guy. It's gorgeous. I saw it in Rowan Magazine 39.
Why not make it now? Well ... the colors and basic style reminded me that I already have a lovely bag. In the "needs fixing" bin.
I wish I could direct you to the pattern for this bag. I did this project maybe three years ago. I looked for the magazine it was published in last night but couldn't find it. I do know it's called “Snapper” and was written by Jeanette Trotman ... and I believe it was published in a Rowan magazine. I had made some modifications to her pattern: I customized the side panels, and made a full lining for it, added zippered pockets and a top zipper. But basically my bag looks very similar to her original pattern. And I love it.
Unfortunately, though, I loved the bag so much I consistently overloaded it, and eventually a thread in one of the handles broke. And of course it's fraying out.
I didn't see an obvious fix for the frayed handle, and decided I'd rather have one sturdy strap than two narrow ones. So yesterday I took it all apart. My plan is to use what was originally the side panels for a single wider handle to replace the double handles. I’ll try kitchener the two side panels together to get a long enough strap. Once I have the handle replaced, I’ll resize the lining so it fits the bag sans side panels, and sew it back in.
Are you wondering if it might be easier to just start over? More on this project later.
Posted on 03/24/2008 by Barb
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Random Thoughts
For the record, I don’t get sick. Ever. Don’t have time for it. Don’t have patience for it. In fact, even though everyone else at work has been getting sick, when I was out last week it didn’t occur to people that I would be home sick … because that just never happens. (And I don’t get snowed in, either.)
But I had a f-e-v-e-r and it flattened me! And a cough-til-you-think-you're gonna-die hack. So four days into it, I'd had enough and saw the doctor. She said “influenza … should we test to see if it’s A or B?” I said, "does it matter which I have?" She said, "not really but some people want to know ...." I said, "don't care, just wanna feel better."
So I got my prescription for Robitussin with codeine, went home and knocked myself out with the drugs. (Okay, enough whimpering ... I’m over it.)
Moving on, Andrea’s mother-in-law hosted Easter dinner. As in previous years, I brought a big vegetable tray … the ceramic bunny holds the dip. Aw, fur cute!
The tray and the simple hydrangea …
… were a huge contrast with the snow we’d gotten the day before, and the day before that, and Easter Sunday, and the snow scheduled for tomorrow and next weekend ... will it every end??
I really, really, really need it to be Spring!
(Knitting update: I still haven’t started a knitting project so there’s nothing to report on that front. Sorry.)
Posted on 03/18/2008 by Barb
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Knitting, Spinning, Stash
Well, my stash contains absolutely nothing of interest to me. I totally frogged the socks I started from yarn in my stash. Once I learned how to do the magic loop, that was it, no further interest, bored to death.
On the subject of stash, if you're a Girl Scout supporter and charity knitter, looking for stash-busting opportunities, you might be interested in this. It's the blog of a young lady in Florida who is hoping to get donations of caps for kids in need, preemies to teens. Kaitlyn has also started a Ravelry group called Knitted Cap Knitwork.
I think the only answer for me right now is to find an exciting summer knitting project ... and that probably means I’ll need to yarn-shop. Honesty, seriously, believe me, I just don’t have a thing in my stash that screams “summer project.” Or maybe I need to take a little break from knitting and do some spinning. Now there's an idea....
Posted on 03/14/2008 by Barb
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Knitting, Stash
I’ve been working on socks, learning the magic loop technique (definition is from Knit Wiki ... I didn't know Knit Wiki existed until just a little bit ago ... but it could be useful). Anyway, after having some problems with the needles whipping around and threatening to take an eye out, I no longer need to use my teeth as a third hand. Actually, it’s pretty slick once you get the hang of it. But I think the project needs to be frogged.
I was working an easy lace pattern in a multicolored yarn, and the lace gets lost. I don’t like the look at all. So out it comes. I think I’ll use this project as my relatively low-involvement pick-it-up-between-other-projects project. I need one of those, so it’s all good. I think I’ll keep on with the magic loop technique and just do a simple k3p1 rib on the top of the foot and leg … that will work better with this yarn.
I think part of what's going on is that I’m ripe for spring colors. Like these gorgeous yellows, oranges and golds. How delicious are they?
If you learn by watching how something is done, see The Knit Witch. In addition to a video on magic loop, there are videos on kitchener, measuring gauge ... everything from how to do a yarn over to knitting backwards (which really intimidates me!).
Posted on 03/07/2008 by Barb
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DIY, Finished Objects, Free Patterns, Knitting, Stash
It’s funny how something as insignificant as wrist warmers can affect your life. (Well, that might be an overstatement … your life.) Some areas of our office can feel chilly so I’ve been knitting wrist warmers to keep around for anyone who’s feeling the need for a little something cozy. They’re pretty quick and easy to do once you get the hang of entrelac, and they’re a great way to use up scraps of odds and ends of yarn. They’ve become quite the rage around the office! (Well, that might be an overstatement, too!)
