I love Bags

I don’t know why, but I probably collect bags as much as I collect yarn.  I love all kinds of bags.  For knitting, I have some favorites.

At the top of my list is MadBird.  She carries different sizes of project bags as well as needle cases and pattern holders.  Her bags have a square bottom, so they are roomy and the drawstrings are a thick cord.  Let me tell you, some of the bags out there use ribbon drawstrings or thin cords and they DO NOT compare to MadBird Bags.  Her fabrics are great and you can request a special order.

She also makes themed bags for the holidays.  The bags pictured above are the smaller bags and I do have medium and a few large bags.  They are great bags and well worth the money.

I also have a few other favorites.  The purple bag below is a Walker Bag.  This is great for storing notions and crochet hooks.  It’s a mesh bag, so you can see what is in it. The bag next to it is a Vera Bradley Ditty Bag.  I love the size.  It’s great for larger knitting projects.   The bag next to the Vera Bradley Bag is from Lantern Moon.  I just got this bag and it is great for small projects like socks.  The bag in front is a nice size bag and well padded by Ocean Patch Creations on Etsy.

Do you like project bags for your knitting?  I use to use plastic zip lock bags, but not any more.

No Yarn Purchased–Can you believe it?

Nope, didn’t buy any yarn.  That is a good thing.  That’s not to say that I didn’t see yarn I wanted to buy.  Can I go another week without purchasing any more?

I finished the Fair Isle hat that I started in the fair isle class.  I am happy how it turned out and I am ready to start another fair isle project.  I really could take the class again to firm up what I learned, but it will probably be awhile until it is offered again.  I used a size 8 needle with Encore worsted in color 0520 (a dark grey) and Encore Colorspun in color 7517 (pinks).

I finally finished the first Rambutan sock from the December Cookie A sock club.  I used a size 1.5 needle with the Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in color Heuschrecke.  This is probably one of the last skeins of yarn that the Sanguine Gryphon dyed since they are split now into two companies.  I was really disappointed in the Bugga yarn.  It started off fuzzy as I knit it.  Later, when I got to the end of the pattern part and just had to knit stockinette, the fuzziness went away.  I don’t know if they changed their base yarn, but I won’t be buying any more Bugga from either company.  I do have more than enough of it too, so I don’t need anymore.  I do like the color and the pattern. Now, I just have to cast on for the second sock and get knitting on it.

I also completed the February 2012 Mid Month Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called In Celebration by Janet Nogle.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in pastel pink with a size 7 needle.

Is it really Winter?

We have been really lucky this Winter.  The weather hasn’t been very cold and we have only had some light snow.  Let’s see if it continues this way.

I have been knitting quite a bit this week.  I started the Sheldon Blanket.  It’s a striped blanket and will have a pocket to put Sheldon the turtle in it.  That is after I knit Sheldon.  I am using a size 7 needle with Knitpicks Shine in Pea Pod, French Blue and Cream.  It’s mostly garter stitch and I am enjoying it as it is a no brainer knit.

I am also working on a Fair Isle hat.  I started the Min Ulla scarf and wasn’t enjoying it as I didn’t feel comfortable knitting with 2 strands of yarn.  I decided to take a class at my local yarn shop and I loved it.  I now know how to knit continental.  There is still a lot to remember, but I am enjoying it.  After I finish this hat, I am going to frog the Min Ulla scarf back and restart the stranding.  I am using a size 8 needle with Plymouth Encore in a gray color and Plymouth Encore Colorspun in a pick color.  I am getting close to finishing it.

I am also working on the Rambutan Socks and the Hitchhiker scarf, but haven’t gotten very far, so I haven’t updated the pictures.  I also need to block my Shaelyn shawl.  I will definitely do that this week.

I did frog the Cat Bordhi sock I started last year.  I decided that I didn’t like the pattern and I didn’t like the yarn and would rather work on something that I liked than force myself to complete the socks.

I got the February 2012 CookieA sock club shipment.  The yarn is from Alisha Goes Around and is her Richness (of Martens) fingering weight yarn in the color Genevieve (red).  Love the yarn, but I’m not fond of the patterns we got.   So, I will pick another pattern to use for this yarn.  We also got a project bag with this shipment.

Off to do some knitting.

February is Flying By

Well, I haven’t done much knitting in the last two weeks.  I have been busy working.  But, I should now be back to normal and will have more time for what I want to do.

I did finish the Shaelyn Shawl, but I need to block it.  Once blocked, I will take pictures and post them.

Also, I completed the February dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Linen Stitch Cloth by Janet Nogle.  I used a size 7 needle with Sugar and Cream in hot purple.  It was a fun knit, but I wish I had used a striping cotton yarn.

I have been spending time on Ravelry and found a pattern for a turtle called Sheldon and and blanket to go with it.  So, I had to buy yarn to make it.  I got Knitpicks Shine.  The Turtle is called Sheldon and the blanket is the Sheldon Blanket.  I also bought some Knitpicks Dishie since I ordered yarn from them.  I’m going to try to cast on tonight or tomorrow.

From the top, It’s Dishie in Aster and Swan, on the bottom is Shine in green apple, peapod, french blue, and cream.

I also couldn’t resist getting more sock yarn in a striping color.  This is from Lollipop yarns and I found it on Etsy.  It comes from  Tennessee.  I love the colors.  The yarn color is called Giggles.

This week, I have a Fair Isle class at the Knitter’s Edge.  I’m looking forward to learning more about Fair Isle.