I Have To Have It !

When I saw this picture on the Berroco's blog, I fell in love with the bag ! I have to have it. So I went on a frantic search for the pattern but it's not a free pattern. I can't wait to purchase the pattern as I need to cast on immediately!

It was like an addiction & I have to knit the bag now - then I remember seeing a similar pattern on the Elann site - this bag - it's not exactly what I want but I do like the construction, so I cast on.

After 2 attempts on getting the shape of the handles right, I was knitting away. I just shape the body of the bag as I go. I cast on Friday night, finished the body on Saturday night, cast off on Sunday morning & then threw it in the washing machine for a spin - in my eagerness, I forgot to measure the bag .....

..... this came out of the washing machine & I was jumping for joy. It looks great although the size was a little smaller than what I wanted. But I am still so happy with it as I made this bag without a proper pattern...... it's drying on the clothes line & I am so in love with this bag & as I stood in the backyard admiring my creation, I knew I will have to knit another one with some modifications. Again I used Cleckheaton Vintage Hues which is the best wool for felting & the colors are gorgeous. The felted bag measures 10.5 ins wide & 8 ins long for the body (excluding the handles).

..... & here I am with my lovely bag (but not looking as good as the model on the actual picture) & loving it .....

Do They Look Like Seaweeds ?

.... not really but these are the Seaweed Socks that I have just cast off. When I think of seaweed, it only reminds me of sushi & these socks don't look like sushi !

It's a nice pattern & easily memorised & it's a great project to carry around. Helen likes the pattern & I offered to knit them for her ......

Pattern : Seaweed Socks (free pattern from Wendy Knits)

Yarn : Apollo Louet Gems from Jolly Jumbuck (not sure of the colorway)

Needles : 2.25mm Harmony dpns

I did learn to knit a different heel for this sock & it's a more squarish heel than the one that I normally use. The heel turns out looking good but I did not really enjoy knitting it because of the wraps & turns & then having to pick up them was not an easy task as I could not find them ! It was not easy to look for wraps on this variegated colored yarn, so for the 2nd sock, I had to use markers to indicate the wraps & this made it slightly easier. I think I better stick to my favorite heel !

A Long Lacy Summer ......

..... an unoffical KAL that I have joined recently. It's hosted by the lovely Bells & it's great as participants can knit any lace project all during summer - no rules & guidelines & no pressure to finish ! Thanks Bells for creating such a great opportunity for lace knitting which I love - I think I have now realised that there are 3 kinds of knitting that I love - socks, lace & vests - all knitted with 1 type of yarn - 4 ply !

This is one of the lace project that I have been working on .....

....... a circular vest, a free pattern from Elann. I have just finished the armholes & put all 368 sts on a waste yarn so that I can try it on. It looks a little messy now & I have to just carry on knitting for the front. I think I have to increase to 528 sts before I can start knitting the border. As I am using a 4 ply cotton instead of the 10 ply stated in the pattern, I have to keep trying it on for size.

As of last night, I have 448 sts on the needle & I am really enjoying this - just knitting in the round & I can put it down anytime & then pick it up again .... another 80 sts more which is about 20 rounds to go .......

Although I keep trying not to cast on another new project until I have finished one, I just can't resist this .....

..... a lace wrap, Abertay from a new book by Louisa Harding. The minute I saw the pattern, I knew that I had to knit it & I also had the perfect yarn for it - Helios, a mix of silk & merino, in Mango Madness colorway by the creative Irene from Jolly Jumbuck . I think I have hit the jackpot with this project - I just love it so much that I can't put it down. It took me 3 tries in 3 hours to master the pattern but I did it & it's coming along so perfectly. The yarn is lovely to knit with & the color is ..... perfect ! On top of all these, I am knitting with .....

.... the Knitpicks Harmony needles - they are so smooth & the sharp ends are perfect for lace knitting. I have not knitted with straight needles for a long time but these needles are so light that they feel like circulars & of course the right length - 25 cm ! I think these are the best needles. I got them from Knitting Inspirations & if the store has not been updated, just contact Helen.

Now that I have the perfect project, I better be off knitting it ....

Snakes & Ladders

"Snakes and ladders originated in India as a game based on morality. The game was invented by Hindu spiritual teachers to teach children about the effects of good deeds as opposed to bad deeds. The Ladders represented virtues such as generosity, faith, humility, etc., and the Snakes represented vices such as lust, anger, murder, theft, etc. The moral of the game was that a person can attain salvation through performing good deeds whereas by doing evil one takes rebirth in lower forms of life." ..... wikipedia

I never knew the origins of this game and it's interesting to read about this as it's one of my favorite childhood board games. I can't even remember when I last played this game - must be ages ago. But recently I was reminded of this game when I started on this which has nothing to do with morality ......

.... but maybe of some spiritual creativity (as knitting is the new zen). I started knitting & the twists & turns of this design reminded me of snakes & then the columns of knit stitches resemble ladders - this instantly reminded me of my favorite board game - Snakes & Ladders -& so that's the name of my 2nd sock design !

I love the look of these socks when they are on the feet - the snakes look so pretty twisting & curling up the legs against those ladders. The heel is different & is more square & this gives more depth to the heel than my normal heel (eye of the partridge) which is a triangle.

The yarn that I used is also one of my favorite & it's the Helios (a mix of merino & silk) from Jolly Jumbuck - Irene is so good with her colors & I loved them.

I am really happy with this pair of socks - a good combination of stitch pattern & yarn. I have written out the pattern & it's being test knitted now. I should be able to offer this pattern free on Ravelry soon !