Finished Project-Clapotis
You’ve heard about this pattern, right?
Project Specs:
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert from Knitty
Yarn: merino/silk yarn from Maple Creek Farm, but I can’t find the ball band
Needles: US 8, I think
Size: about the size suggested in the pattern
Pattern Alterations: I did more repeats than the pattern
My Blog Links: Yes, It’s another Clapotis, Idiot Award Goes to…
OK, I’ve been working on this project for awhile. But it’s done! It’s a lot bigger after blocking than I thought it would be. I dropping the stitches was kind of annoying. The yarn kept sticking to itself, so I had to drop one stitch at a time.
Finished Project: Another Messenger Bag
Project Specs:
Pattern: Valley Yarns Pattern # 141: Purple Maze Messenger Bag, now available at WEBS
Yarn: Valley Yarns Amherst in Black (7 balls) and Regatta (1 ball)
Needles: US 10 1/2 circs, but I used US 11 on the flap to see if it could be a little bigger
Size: height-10 1/2â€, width-12â€, depth-3 3/4â€, strap length-38â€
This bag is for my sister-in-law. She picked out the colors. I was afraid the pattern wouldn’t show, but it does. It’s just subtle. Another thing I changed this time around is that I made the strap one decrease/increase less, so that the strap is a little wider at the shoulder. I think next time, I’ll make it even wider, and make stripes on the flap instead of the maze pattern.
Holy Moly! Four finished projects in one week.
Proof that my full-time job really is getting in the way of my knitting-—I finished up four projects this week, two of which I started last summer—2 bags, a wrap, and a cat toy. I’ll have posts for those soon.
Minnesota was wonderful, too much to write about now. Highlights: 6 yarn stores, Joe winning the Great American Think-Off, fishing with my brother, a personal tour of MPR, our college reunion, finally finding great fitting jeans, Minnesota’s crazy every-changing weather, and of course all of the great time we got to spend with family and friends.
I bought something at nearly every yarn store. A lot of lace weight. Let’s take a look.
First, the loser of my purchases, Blue Sky Alpaca Double Point Needles. I’ve been in love with the case. But it’s just enough too short that it won’t fit any of my other double points, not even my 5 1/2″ ones. And take a look at the points, inconsistent and quite blunt. And the finish is a bit on the uneven side too. Now I haven’t actually used these yet, but I’m not pleased. And the cases come taped shut, so you can’t even inspect the needles until after you’ve bought them. Expensive to boot! Oh well.
Oh, but there was some nice yarn. I resisted buying any of the Habu yarn I kept running into. I’m saving that for my next NY trip.
Heaven by Yarn Palace, 3100 yards of lace weight merino/tencel that I just had to have.
Misti Alpaca Lace in a brown that the store of course doesn’t carry. But it’s the perfect brown and now it’s mine.
100% Extrafine Lambswool in the perfect color.
And some light purple Nature Wool that will go well with my Nature Wool Stash. I feel another log cabin project coming around the corner.
Of the yarns stores that I went to, there were two I would actually go back to again: 3 Kittens Yarn Shop and Needlework Unlimited. There were lots of interesting things in both stores with friendly, helpful staff. And both had cozy sofas that made you want to stay awhile. At 3 Kittens, there was a sign by the register that said, “Your husband called and said you can buy anything you want.”
One more thing, I figured out a place to hang a warping board in my house and wound my first warp for my new loom.
The open shelving in our pantry makes it easy to hang the board. I still have no idea where I’m going to store a warping board. But I’ll figure it out. Maybe after our addition this summer, I’ll find room.
