Some Updates….

I know it’s been a really really really long time since I’ve posted……. so now that I finally have the time I’m including lots of pictures to make up for the lack of any in the last few weeks….

That would be my lovely Juno Regina It’s grown quite a lot– I’m now past the diamond lace part and into the main lace pattern… which goes on for 42 inches. Which is a long time. I’m in no rush to finish it though, as I probably wouldn’t even wear until next fall. I’m quite proud of how it’s turning out, as it’s my first lace project.

The color is fairly off in both of the pictures, but the upper one is closest to reality. It’s actually a softer, lighter purple than the top picture.

I had been wanting a knitting bag for quite a while, as I take my knitting with me a lot. I searched the web for knitting bags, and I found some that I liked, but they were fairly expensive for a bag that I could just make myself. I used Pam Allen’s design from Bag Style. The only modifications I made were making it a bit taller and making it two colors (I ran out of green and I had some purple of the same yarn, so I just used that.) I used Cotton Ease, which worked quite well for this bag. After checking out other Raveler’s ideas about the bag, I decided to knit the handles in seed stitch with the yarn held double for strength. If I made this again (which I very well might) I would make the handles shorter than I wanted, as they have already stretched some.

To prevent needles from poking through, I lined the bag with some cheap fabric I found at a craft store nearby. I used my sewing maching to sew the lining, but as I’m not much of a seamstress I was afraid for the results. Luckily most of the loose threads and messiness is hidden.

This is practice for my latest idea. I recently got the book Knitting On the Edge by Nicky Epstein, which includes 350 fabulous edgings and ideas to apply to whatever knitting project you wish. I absolutely love the book, the designs are beautiful and there are pictures for every single design which are lovely and clear. My only complaint is that often there are several designs on a page and it’s difficult to tell which instructions go with which picture. I decided I wanted to design my own tank top for summer. After looking through the book I decided to make a baby doll sort of effect with the bottom of the “skirt” being lined in “casey’s picot point” (it’s on page 84 for anyone who has the book). This was my first time trying a picot edge, which I have now fallen in love with. Although it took me quite a while to sort out some confusion about the instructions (there’s a mistake in the abbreviations in the back- sk2p stands for slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over, not slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over, knit two together) it moved along quite fast. I love how it looks and can’t wait to get started on my top. I just recently bought a set of Denise Interchangeable needles which are now my absolute best friend! I’ll be using those to knit it in the round. Of course I need yarn…… I probably won’t use what I used for the above picture- Lion brand microspun- because it’s not very nice (acrylic) and very splitty. I’m hoping i’ll be able to find some kind of not-too-expensive silk blend. Wish me luck!

~ by mellowyellow on May 11, 2008.