kitty: last project for 2007

title: knitted market bag pattern: My own design content: 3 balls Maggie Ireland Linen & 3/4 yard of Linen time: 1 wk (though it took me forever to finish due to being chicken to cut the lining)
My last project for 2007. I finished it on the 23rd and I had hoped to have two other projects ready to post about for 2007. But alas like clock work I got really sick when I actually didn't have a lot of stress or major deadlines to deal with, just knitting and catching up on projects. I am a prime example of what they were talking about on CNN today that more people get sick during the holidays than at any other time since during the normal work year you have so much adrenaline going that you don't really notice when you body is really sick because you just don't have time. It took me forever to get around to cutting the fabric to finish the bag. The knitting was finished back in August. I had bought a yard of organic linen and I was frankly afraid that my sewing or idea wouldn't work out and I would ruin my piece of fabric. Yes, I would be the first to admit it I am chicken when it comes to these things. Though I am really happy that I got some fever induced nerve and finished the bag for 2007. Hope you all had a great holiday and will have a great year to come. Happy Year of the RAT!!!!

kitty: quick last minute holiday gift

item: Mia's Market Bag pattern: My own design, based on an interpretation of a pattern that I saw in Nordic Knitting 2 content: 3 hanks of 2nd Chance Yarn time: 4 hours
If you need a last minute gift and have a couple of hours today, this bag is totally doable in about 4 hours. The bag is so easy, here are just some basic instructions to get you on the right track. 1) Knit 4 rectangles that are 6 inches wide by 20 inches long. (I knitted one of the rectangles with several rows of purls and bobbles to create random stripes.) 2) The base of the bag is constructed as the diagram below.
3) Then sew the following sides together, making sure to sew from the base of the bag to the top since the edges will not be the same length. Side 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 1 4) Knit two i-cord straps around 10 inches long and attach them to the points opposite each other.

kitty: overwhelmed * updated*

Happy Holiday's! I have been feeling bad that I haven't been posting and sharing about all the knitting that has been going on here in Columbus. My fingers have actually been either spinning or knitting themselves to the bone in hopes of meeting my holiday goals. Though I really feel like I have bitten off way to much this year. So we will see what doesn't get done. Though the hole concept of knitting for others just feels good this year, so I have been really happy. Sleep is becoming really an option item with work and crafting.

So I can not keep a secrete any longer......... at least you don't know who they are for or what they are going to be.... First one completed 50% mohair 50% cashmere from a small mill in Italy - item type unknown 15 hrs Third one completed, Same 50% mohair 50% cashmere - item type unknown 8hrs Second one completed, Same 50% mohair 50% cashmere - item type unknown 14hr Fourth one completed, Same 50% mohair 50% cashmere - item type unknown 14hrs 50% cotton, 20% cashmere, 30% wool - 98% completed - item type unknown 60hr (not all holiday)   50% cashmere 50% silk, Colourmart UK - item type unknown - 75% completed but on size 000 it is taking a long time - item type unknown 35hr   fifth one, Same 50% mohair 50% cashmere - 40% completed - item type unknown 18hr   50% recycled yarn 50% cotton - item type unknown - 50% completed 7.5hr   50% recycled yarn 50% cotton - item type unknown 7.5hr Hand spun - completed - Malabrigo type in lime green 200yds 8hr Hand spun - 50% completed - Sock yarn goal 300 - 500yds 30hr est.   Hand spun - mystery - 15% completed 30hr est.   Hand made holiday soap - completed 6 hrs     253 total   90 hr to completion   385 hr to Christmas - ekk

kitty: Knitted Market Bag - sneak peak

A little sneak peak of what I have been working on. There have been so many great Market Bags popping up online recently I decided that wanted to make my own. Lets face it is a pretty simple concept; flat bottom, slanted sides to create sides, straight construction of 4 panels, and a handle. Not a lot of math involved and something that can replace all of the plastic waste bags that I collect with daily life. This is what I have so far. I like the general shape and design, but after blocking my bag measure oh.......... 12*23*4. It is a little long since I know there will be stretching due to contents. I also want to sew linen handles and top band and bottom band for stability. The concept behind the lace patterns was to knit patterns that I knew by heart as practice. Since patterns were passed down and then practiced over and over until they were committed to memory. So this is what my memory lead to after all the reading I have been doing. Nothing was written down or charted. Just knit, knit, knit It is made out of three balls of Maggie Ireland's old linen.

(Yes.. the increase in the lace there could have been done better.)

On a side note: Today is one of those days that comes around every year full of happiness, memories, laughter, tears, joy and of course sadness for me. A day where I crave Southern Fried Chicken, Sausage Gravy and home made butter biscuits, Vienna Sausages, pound cake, and a piece of butter scotch handed to the little girl on the stool facing the wall. This year though it has hit me pretty hard, guess I have been thinking of my Grandmother a lot as of late. Don't really know why, but today would have been her Birthday. So Happy Birthday Grandma!!!! I really miss you And on a much happier note, Happy Belated Bday to My sweetie M!!!!! Yesterday was his Bday!