Slave to the Needles

OMG! Ok! So, then...

I finished the strap situation, so the finished thinger looks like this:

 

 

The pattern that I was (somewhat loosely) following had the strap as one big loop through two small loops on the top of the bag. I felt that was faulty engineering, so I copied the leather messenger bag that I have and made it fixed on one side, and through a loop on the other, with a sliding buckle, so it's adjustable. Because...duh.

 

Also, this thing is HUGE, and seems to be OK with a fair amount of weight. Like, you could park your car in this thing, and then haul it around. Not that you'd want to, but there it is.

 

Oh, and THEN!

 

I made a matching clutch purse, so she can corral the important things rather than lose them in the bowels of the Bag of Holding. It looks like this:

 

 

 

I kind of had to wing it a little, since the pattern called for a 9" zipper, I had a 7" zipper, and I was too fecking lazy to go swap it out because I was on a total roll. Eh. It works, but now I know for next time.

 

So, lest you think I was done, the cuff of these particular pants had drawstrings (what with being proper Military Issue, and all), and the back pockets were besom with a flap. And I have quite a bit of dress left. Can you say two drawstring pouches and two cross-body pocketbooks (with straps macraméd out of yarn I have that's the perfect color)?

 

I knew you could.

 

I'm feeling LIKE A CRAFTING GODDESS very resourceful, with this. I had NO IDEA I'd be able to get so damn much out of one pair of pants and one fugly dress. So! Awesome!

Lookit what I made!

Recently, I've become OBSESSED with making purses. Well, more with the idea, really, in the "billions of cool ideas in my head, but no real chance to make them."

 

Until today. When I turned this:

 

 

(A pair of my brothers USMC fatigues and a nasty jersey dress) into this:

 

 

(A messenger bag that still needs straps, but I've run out of steam for the day.)

 

Inside!

 

 

 

The bag is fully lined, and metal snaps hold it closed. In addition to the GIANT cargo pockets, the adjustable waistband of the pants adds another layer of security, to help things from falling out. I toyed with using the flap pockets from the bum as interior pockets, but that was beyond my brain power, today. Maybe next time.

 

I'm pretty chuffed about this. I'll be giving it to my niece, the daughter of the previous pants owner, because it's the Right Thing To Do. Too bad I don't have another pair and a different dress to make one for myself.

 

Oh, wait...

 

[Watch This Space]

 

 

Follow up post! With photos!

Here's a pic of the purple cowl, in its completed state:

And, as a lovely bonus, here's a pic of a blue cowl I did a while back, ostensibly to teach myself how to knit lace.  It was WAY EASIER than I thought it would be, and managed to make more errors in the stupid rib pattern than in the lace part.  But it seems to have turned out well, regardless:

The hand towel is coming along, albeit slowly (I only knit on it on the bus, or at work during lunch).  If I like it, I'll try it again in linen.  I'm not as enthused about knitting with cotton, as compared with wool, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I also tested my theory on the pattern interpretation of the little dress, and was correct.  And I still maintain that it's not clear in the book, so *sticks out tongue*  I'm nearly done with the front piece, and then it's just sleeves, putting it together and finishing.  Woo!

Another FO, and a Dork Moment

Finished the cowl.  I'll get a pic up ere long.

In other news, I was knitting along happily on the dress thingie when I became TOTALLY STUMPED at the pattern directions. It took starting another project (more on that below), a full night's sleep and an entire bus ride in to work pondering the situation before I realized what a MASSIVE DORK I am.  Although, I will continue to maintain that the pattern isn't supremely clear on that particular bit.  So I'll try it when I get home to see if I was correct in my interpretation.

Started the Moss Stitch Grid Hand Towel from Mason Dixon knitting.  Although I may just take the dimensions and make up my own pattern that I don't have to really count or think about, so I can do it on the bus.  Two super skeins of Sugar & Cream should net me a towel and matching wash cloth, if I work it right.  Then I might get me some linen and try it again with THAT.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

An FO! And some WIPs!

I finally finished up one of the baby kimonos.  I'm not going to post a picture on the off chance that R reads this blog - I'd like it to be at least somewhat of a surprise at the shower.  If you're on Ravelry, though, the picture is posted there.  The other one should be finished up in the next couple of days, and I'll post the pic of that later as well.

But, just because I can, I'll put up the three other projects I have on needles at the moment:

Chic Knits - Ariann

Vintage yarn from a skirt/sweater kit

Debbie Bliss - Ribbon-tied Baby Dress

Knit Picks Andean Silk in Cornflower

Cashmerino Cowl (my own pattern...sort of...)

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in Eggplant

So now, I'm waiting to hear if CR is knocked up, so I can knit something fabulous and gothy for her spawn.  Won't that be lovely?

Holy Finished Object, Batman!

So, while in my "finish things" jag, I...finished the Somewhat Cowl.  And took a picture of it.  With me in it.

Say hello to my torso and the girls!

As mentioned a few times, this was my third try at a sweater with this yarn, and my second try at this particular pattern. It was doing a weird bunchy thing in the armpits, and when I went to steam block it, I learned that it still had quite the lingering smell of mothball. So to kill two birds with one stone, I rinsed it in the sink with good stinky wool wash, and *gasp!* pitched it in the dryer. On Delicate, Low Heat.

The results? A slightly fulled (which I wanted, to soften the yarn a bit), fabulously flattering sweater.  Once it's completely dry, I'll give the cowly part a bit of a press, but ultimately?  I am quite happy with the end result.

I plan to do this sweater again in a FEKKING GORGEOUS forest green cashmere.  Envy me.

But first?  Must make sexy pencil skirt out of the matching plaid. HEE! 

Help me Baby-Wan...you're my only hope!

So, sometime last year, when I was getting back into knitting, I bought some cheap-assed yarn from Jo-Ann's, dug up a baby kimono pattern online somewhere, and - inspired by the color-block baby sweater in One Skein - I knit something up. But never finished it.  I blocked the pieces, and started sewing it all together, but I hates pieced sweaters, I does. Even when they're wee things.

Long and long it languished.  Unfinished.  Unloved.

Until today.

My friend ML had a baby a few months ago, which means that she won the baby kimono "what do I do with this thing?" lottery!  I hope it fits the wee snapper.

Kind of a denim blue, olive green and a nice burnt orange is what I ended up using for this one.  I should probably do some more steam-blocking, too.  Definitely colors that look good on me, but I figure a baby won't have an opinion, and they look cute in anything anyway.  Hopefully his Ma will agree.                                                                     

I might unload one of the little cashmerino hats I have onto KB's little girl, too, if it fits her.  I'd need to finish it (don't fall over from shock), but that's just a matter of knitting up a flower and making a tie to keep it on her melon.

It feels kind of good to finish stuff, I have to say.

The Girl's Got Balls

Well, okay..."ball."

I found the pattern for knit christmas tree ornaments in the Handknit Holidays book, and decided to give it a try.  And so, I give you the results:

That's about as exciting as it gets in my world, kids.  I'm pretty pleased, though.  It didn't take very long, or very much yarn.  I tracked down a pattern for the holly leaves online somewhere, and plan to either add beads or little knit dooies for the berries.  I may or may not embroider something on there, too.  We'll see.  But it's about the size of a tennis ball, and pretty stinkin' cute.

I show other pikchur because I have one.  Still cute.  The grand plan, now, is to knit a bunch of these buggers up and give them out at the holidays.  We'll see how that goes, what with the road to hell being paved with intentions that good, and all...

In other news, I made it back from my vacation alive, and with two baby kimono jackets done and ready for blocking. That is an issue in my space - I don't really have anywhere I can just lay a bunch of stuff out and leave it for a few days.  But as soon as I figure something out and get them finished, I'll post pictures of those too.

The blue Somewhat Cowl is nearing completion as well.  I've got a sleeve done, one to go and the neckline left to do, before blocking and wearing.  I'm quite chuffed, though.  As much as it took forever to knit on size 4/5 needles, the end result is something that's not bulky - I've got plenty of that already, and don't really want to add to it. I'm really glad I frogged it and started over.  This one fits a billion times better than what I had before.  Mmm...sexay.  I'll need to figure out the skirt part of it, too.  Fall is a-comin' and a girl needs some plaid!

It's Here!

Yay new digital camera!  *flails*

So, in honor of my shiny new toy, I bring you...a finished object!

This was my first knit garment in...oh...I don't know.  20 years, maybe?  I was on a huge "sweater vests are the best item of clothing EVAR" kick earlier this year, and the release of Fitted Knits had one that looked a) easy and b) flattering to my Heroic Rack.  I made some mistakes (binding off one back shoulder too soon.  Starting the neck edging in the front instead of the back.  Probably more than one spot where I bollixed up the pattern) but overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Pleased enough that I'll give you a close up shot so you can see the stitches.  Not half bad, methinks.  I've been getting better.  Now I just need to work on my blocking skilz.  A lot of that has to do with not really having the space to leave things to properly block, undisturbed.  Stupid studio condo.  ::shakes tiny fist::  But, one thing at a time.

Come back for the next installment wherein I post a Work in Progress!  Hurrah!