A Post for Patti

I've been trying to finish up some of my MANY WIP's over the last couple of days.  I have so many things on the needles that I was beginning to feel like I'd never finish anything. 

On Monday night, I finished the crochet bag that I've been designing; it just needed a decent handle.  I looked online and saw that Joann Fabric had just what I wanted so I went there on my lunch hour on Tuesday.  All they had in the store were butt-ugly ones; I was desperate to get this up in the shop (I'm doing a class on it in a couple weeks) so I bought it.  I put it on during Chicks with Sticks that night and hated it (big surprise).  So, yesterday during my lunch hour, I ran over to WalMart and bought a cheap purse that had the perfect handle.  Cut the handle off and put it on my bag and I love it. 

Yarn: Fantasy Naturalle mercerized cotton, color #8011 (the pictures aren't very good; it's a really pretty celery green)

Hook:  Susan Bates size H

Pattern:  My own

I'm very happy with the way this came out and I can't wait for the class to be done so that I can take the bag back and use it.


Remember the Monkey I started for Luke's soon to be born baby? Well, this is what it looks like now:

What? Doesn't look like a monkey to you? I wasn't feeling the love for the monkey so I made this little guy. The yarn for the monkey wasn't working up into a nice soft blankie so I was going to use the Berocco Plush cream color just for the blanket part and attach that to the monkey head; but again, I wasn't feeling the love. I've always loved the littled Plush Bear on Berocco's website, so I decided to make that head. I'm glad I did; this is incredibly soft! I wan't one for me :-)


I didn't finish this any too soon either; Luke's wife, Julie, has been having contractions for several days and finally went to see the doctor yesterday (she's due on the 18th). They decided to induce her yesterday afternoon, so this bear is done just in time. Who knows; I may have finished the blankie right as Julie was finishing giving birth. I did tell Luke that she couldn't have the baby until I finished what I was working on. 

I've also almost completed another pair of Magic 28 socks; I just have to do the foot and toe and I'll be done with pair #4. I'll finish that tonight and can mark off another WIP.

I've been making the Magic 28 socks while teaching a sock class (a class of one). The class was finished last night; here's Jamie's first ever sock: Didn't she do a great job?! She wouldn't let me take a picture of her, just her foot. She used Encore yarn and size 5 dpn's. I think it's easiest to learn the mechanics of making socks using worsted weight yarn rather than fingering weight. That way you only have to get used to the multiple needles and can concentrate on the process rather than fight with what feels like dental floss and toothpicks.

I was going to give you a list of my remaining WIP's, but I don't have any more time; I have to go get ready for work. Maybe tomorrow; then again, maybe not.

Have a great Day!

Happy now, Patti? ;-)

Comments

[Eileen]

The bag is GORGEOUS! Perfect shade of summer green.

Love the little bear/blankie lovey---it's adorable! Would love to know where to get the pattern (I know the original is a monkey).

Still working on my first sock so I'm very impressed with Jamies.

[Amanda]

Julie, I love the bag. At first I thought it was a pic of a bag that you had bought - it's so professional looking! I think this could be the new "Booga Bag" sensation!

[Pat]

Very nice bag! and I love how you got the handles!!!

[Colleen]

Oh I really love the bag! It came out just perfect! The handle looks great too. btw I have some bag handles so if you are ever looking for one again, just let me know.

The blankie is too clever.. did you connect the head in the middle of the blanket or more to the side? It looks so soft....

Jamie's socks looks great! what color is that? I love the pooling and striping, looks neat!

[Arleta]

Super cute and soft looking blankie! I love your purse, too. That's so smart to reuse a good handle off a cheap purse.

Great sock, to Jamie! I love the pooling.

[marianne]

LOVE the bag! It's showing up the most lovely green here and I LOVE it, the handle is great, a perfect bag, way to go Julie!
Little bear blankie looks so soft, how sweet!
That's a gorgeous sock! and I love that another sock knitter has been born.

[Dana]

The bag is GORGEOUS Noolie - - I'll babysit it if you want! ;) The Luke blankie too cute, though I liked your monkey a lot. However, if you're not feeling the love, I can understand.

Jamie did a marvelous job on her sock and as a recent sock convert, I completely agree with what you wrote. My first sock class was on circulars and the fingering weight was too small. It wasn't until Dianne, Marianne & Linda put DPNS' and worsted weight Encore in my hands that the lightbulb went off over my head and I said, "Yeah, I can do this."

Quick question when you have a chance....how's Betty doing?

[Bea]

Great bag! What pattern did you use? One of these days when I can start teaching crochet classes again, I need a good pattern to use, the crochet hat is getting old. I love the plush bear, I bet the lil' babe will love it to pieces :)

[Barbara]

I love the bad. I need one of those. Come up here to the new shop in Orono and teach your class :-) I love the bear now I'm inspired to make one (or 20) every baby needs one of thoses. Happy Thursday!

[Nora]

Oh, I love that bag.

[AuntieAnn]

Very resourceful of you to re-purpose the bag handles!

[Sheepish Annie]

Loving the bag...loving the bear!!! Nice job!

[Zonda]

Love the bag! It turned out very nice! Cute little bear. Your student's first socks are cool, love the colors. I learned 2 circ socks in the same brand yarn and size needles. Perfect for learning, as if I learned on fingering...let's say, I wouldn't have any! :)

[Elizabeth]

Love the bag! I can't believe the color looks even better in person. It's beautiful.

[lisa]

The crochet bag turned out great! Love that plush for baby things! And those encore socks...I'm with you about the worsted thing...not so much w/ acrylic (too soft, wears out quick), but it is a nice blend and a wonderful color and inexpensive!

[Lisa]

Cute bag! Great idea on the handle. I have ripped the handle off of a thrift shop bag before too. The new ones are pricey anyway, so we might as well improvise.

[Jeanne]

Great bag! And a great idea for finding the handle you want.

[Kathleen]

I learned with Barlett worsted and size 8 needles. Jo Cooley taught me while I attended Unity College earning a degree in Recreation.

[Amy]

Very pretty bag. I love the creativity you used to come up with a strap. I may have to do that for the Monster Bag.

[~Kristie]

Your bag ROCKS! You almost make me want to learn crochet. Actually, you DO make me want to learn crochet. Are you going to be writing up that pattern?

The blankie is ADORABLE! I've been eyeing Berocco's Plush Bear pattern. It's way cuter as a blankie though. So adorable!!

[Debby]

Congratulations on finishing up some WIPs! The bag is great and is going to be very popular at your LYS. I like the cute little bear blanket and I hope mom and baby are healthy and happy. :)

I realized from your previous posts that you have a pool -- is your summer season long enough or do you have a good heater to keep things warm? It's too cold down here for summer right now.

[Debi]

I LOVE the bag and the blankie is too cute :)

[Heather]

love all the wips -- esp the bag. It is great! if only I liked to crochet -- i might try for that, tho