So little sleep
So tired. Parenthood = tired. But so, so rewarding.
Finish line
For the record, the sweater lost. My little one arrived on the 18th. He's perfect. :-)
Welcome, little Sam!
Welcome, little Sam!
Racing the Little Man
So, I've decided to cast on for a new project. It's a light short sleeved sweater made of big yarn on big needles, which I'm intending to use to cover the 8 kajillion nursing tanks I'll spend the sweltering Durham summers in.
I'm going to race the baby. I'm due in two weeks. Which will be done first, baby or sweater?
(Hey, I've got to have SOME way to keep myself from going stark raving mad in the next couple of weeks, right?)
I'm going to race the baby. I'm due in two weeks. Which will be done first, baby or sweater?
(Hey, I've got to have SOME way to keep myself from going stark raving mad in the next couple of weeks, right?)
Funny places to have a contraction
Since these things can go on for weeks before the baby actually arrives, this doesn't mean he'll be here any time soon.
Today, however, I had a quite painful contraction while waiting in line to check out at Target. The clerk was a young man, probably late teens or early 20's. As I paused in the middle of swiping my credit card to hiss and lean on the counter, his eyes got reaaaaally big. He asked if I was ok - oh, I'm fine, just a contraction, no big deal - and suddenly, he could not ring me up fast enough! He even offered to call an ambulance. It was pretty amusing.
Poor guy.
Today, however, I had a quite painful contraction while waiting in line to check out at Target. The clerk was a young man, probably late teens or early 20's. As I paused in the middle of swiping my credit card to hiss and lean on the counter, his eyes got reaaaaally big. He asked if I was ok - oh, I'm fine, just a contraction, no big deal - and suddenly, he could not ring me up fast enough! He even offered to call an ambulance. It was pretty amusing.
Poor guy.
Furniture frustration
I so didn't mean for this to become a place to complain about baby-related stuff, but since that's what 100% of my life is right now, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised.
The nesting mom in me is furious today. We ordered furniture for the baby back on January 18, and were informed that the dresser would arrive in 4-6 weeks, the glider in a similar amount of time, and the crib would likely not be here until about the baby's due date, which was fine, since we're planning on having him in our room for the first few weeks anyway.
4 weeks have come and gone. So have 6. And I've now been informed that we will not have ANY furniture until after the baby is born.
I'm going into a meltdown panic mode. I'm not sure if we can cancel the order at this point. We could just drive down to IKEA and get some basic stuff tomorrow, if we could do that (which is what hubby wanted in the first place, sigh) but I just don't know what to DO!
Guess it's time to do what always makes it a little better... and call mom.
The nesting mom in me is furious today. We ordered furniture for the baby back on January 18, and were informed that the dresser would arrive in 4-6 weeks, the glider in a similar amount of time, and the crib would likely not be here until about the baby's due date, which was fine, since we're planning on having him in our room for the first few weeks anyway.
4 weeks have come and gone. So have 6. And I've now been informed that we will not have ANY furniture until after the baby is born.
I'm going into a meltdown panic mode. I'm not sure if we can cancel the order at this point. We could just drive down to IKEA and get some basic stuff tomorrow, if we could do that (which is what hubby wanted in the first place, sigh) but I just don't know what to DO!
Guess it's time to do what always makes it a little better... and call mom.
Nesting
I always sort of thought that the so-called "nesting urge" that moms-to-be experience was mostly made up by women who were trying to explain away the sudden need to get some stuff done before the baby arrives. I mean, of course people are going to want to get stuff cleaned up so that there's not a ton to do when there's a small squalling person to look after. I'm not the tidiest of people, but I understand and accept that my house will be a nightmare for the first few months of baby living.
The nesting urge, though? So not a crock. Here's what I've done over just the past couple of weeks:
-23 loads of laundry, including every towel I can get my hands on and all of the newborn sized baby outfits
-reorganized my yarn and fiber stash for the 2nd time
-made a bulletin board and mail hanger for organizing all sorts of stuff
-baked and frozen several loaves of bread for thawing in the next month
-started actually cooking. I hate cooking. I love baking, but I hate cooking. All the sudden, I want to make food?
-rearranged the dining room furniture so as to hide the overly large dog crate
-put pictures up on the walls. We lived in this house for 2 years with no artwork. Suddenly, every room needs something on the wall
-barely resisting the urge to sand and repaint the kitchen cabinets. I'd be an idiot to start this now, but I DESPERATELY want to.
All of this is wildly out of my normal routine. I just keep thinking up new projects and have to talk myself out of starting them - after all, I've got 3 more weeks until he's due. I can't possibly finish EVERYTHING by then.
The nesting urge, though? So not a crock. Here's what I've done over just the past couple of weeks:
-23 loads of laundry, including every towel I can get my hands on and all of the newborn sized baby outfits
-reorganized my yarn and fiber stash for the 2nd time
-made a bulletin board and mail hanger for organizing all sorts of stuff
-baked and frozen several loaves of bread for thawing in the next month
-started actually cooking. I hate cooking. I love baking, but I hate cooking. All the sudden, I want to make food?
-rearranged the dining room furniture so as to hide the overly large dog crate
-put pictures up on the walls. We lived in this house for 2 years with no artwork. Suddenly, every room needs something on the wall
-barely resisting the urge to sand and repaint the kitchen cabinets. I'd be an idiot to start this now, but I DESPERATELY want to.
All of this is wildly out of my normal routine. I just keep thinking up new projects and have to talk myself out of starting them - after all, I've got 3 more weeks until he's due. I can't possibly finish EVERYTHING by then.
First Pattern Sale!
Woohoo! I sold my very first original knitting pattern today, hopefully the first of many. I'm so excited!
Recent Projects
Now that the birthday in question is past, I can finally post a picture of the purse I made for my sister!
The outside is machine quilted by yours truly and, though I didn't take a picture of the inside, it's a deep brown fabric with little swirlies on it. The teal outer is topstitched and quilted with brown thread that matches the interior fabric. Best of all, I did it with no pattern! I'm super proud of my first patternless sewing (even if I DID base the basic shape off of a bag I saw at the store).
And then there's something I'm almost as proud of...
My fair isle gloves! The pattern, which can be found on Ravelry, is the Ruba'iyat mitten by Heather Desserud. It's a fabulous Scandanavian-style mitten construction using an Arab-style geometric pattern on the backs. I knit them in possum yarn and they are absolutely the warmest things ever. I'm in love. I think there will be a matching hat.
In other news... t-5 weeks until the little man's due date. Must finish his sweater, and fast.
The outside is machine quilted by yours truly and, though I didn't take a picture of the inside, it's a deep brown fabric with little swirlies on it. The teal outer is topstitched and quilted with brown thread that matches the interior fabric. Best of all, I did it with no pattern! I'm super proud of my first patternless sewing (even if I DID base the basic shape off of a bag I saw at the store).
And then there's something I'm almost as proud of...
My fair isle gloves! The pattern, which can be found on Ravelry, is the Ruba'iyat mitten by Heather Desserud. It's a fabulous Scandanavian-style mitten construction using an Arab-style geometric pattern on the backs. I knit them in possum yarn and they are absolutely the warmest things ever. I'm in love. I think there will be a matching hat.
In other news... t-5 weeks until the little man's due date. Must finish his sweater, and fast.
Things that are awesome today
1: Little durham-knits Jr. rumbling around in my belly.
2: Maternity belt. Oh my goodness, where have you been the past 3 months? My back pain - GONE. It looks ridiculous on but it is WORTH IT.
3: The first Cadbury creme egg of the season. I love ripping the foil off bit by bit because a bit of the creme has leaked out and stuck the wrapping to the chocolate. The extra effort makes that first bite even sweeter.
4: My snuggly dogs. They may bark a ridiculous amount, but they're just trying to keep me safe from that weird looking car across the street.
5: My fair isle mittens. Coming along nicely!
2: Maternity belt. Oh my goodness, where have you been the past 3 months? My back pain - GONE. It looks ridiculous on but it is WORTH IT.
3: The first Cadbury creme egg of the season. I love ripping the foil off bit by bit because a bit of the creme has leaked out and stuck the wrapping to the chocolate. The extra effort makes that first bite even sweeter.
4: My snuggly dogs. They may bark a ridiculous amount, but they're just trying to keep me safe from that weird looking car across the street.
5: My fair isle mittens. Coming along nicely!
A simple list of things
Things I love, yet also hate
Thing 1: My cat. I have a stupid cat. Not just your average stupid cat. A truly stupid cat who may end up killing himself through his own stupidity. Over the past 12 hours, he has repeatedly chewed through hubby's iPhone cord, incurring the Wrath of Husband, and just now pulled a lamp down off of a table and onto his head. He's just asking for it. Stupid cat.
Thing 2: Indian food. Oh do I love Indian food. I mourn because the inexpensive Indian buffet with the all-you-can-drink masala chai just closed, and I didn't know about it. But I can't eat it anyway, because I'm 8 months pregnant, and it gives me the worst indigestion I've ever had in my life. I miss Indian food. I miss it so, so much. And sometimes I eat it anyway, and deal with the night of anguished Tums consumption just because I can't help myself. Just a little bit longer and you're evicted, baby, do you hear me? Because I wish to eat mounds of Indian food and NOT regret it.
Thing 3: Fair isle mittens. I love the pattern I've picked. (For those on Ravelry, Ruba'iyat Mittens.) I love the yarn, a gorgeous wool, NZ possum, and silk blend, which my mother in law brought me back from their trip there. I finished the first mitten on Tuesday night, and it fits perfectly. And now... now I have another mitten to knit. An identical mitten to knit. And as much as I want to have these perfect, beautiful, softer and warmer than I'd believed mittens on my hands, I also am having trouble making myself start the second mitten.
Thing 4: Designing patterns. I've got two already-tested patterns ready to go up for sale on Ravelry, and I'm having trouble making myself put them up. You see, these are my first paid patterns. I'm terrified that nobody will want to buy them. I spent hours and hours perfecting each of them, and there are some things about each that I still don't adore (even though one of my friends has made 6+ hats from my pattern, so I'm guessing she likes it...) but I'm too blasted nervous and embarrassed to just bite the bullet and figure out the system and upload the patterns. I could have duds. I could have a couple of winners that at least someone will spend a couple of dollars to purchase. Right? And with me out of work and Little Man due to make his appearance very, very soon, a couple of dollars would be very, very nice.
Thing 1: My cat. I have a stupid cat. Not just your average stupid cat. A truly stupid cat who may end up killing himself through his own stupidity. Over the past 12 hours, he has repeatedly chewed through hubby's iPhone cord, incurring the Wrath of Husband, and just now pulled a lamp down off of a table and onto his head. He's just asking for it. Stupid cat.
Thing 2: Indian food. Oh do I love Indian food. I mourn because the inexpensive Indian buffet with the all-you-can-drink masala chai just closed, and I didn't know about it. But I can't eat it anyway, because I'm 8 months pregnant, and it gives me the worst indigestion I've ever had in my life. I miss Indian food. I miss it so, so much. And sometimes I eat it anyway, and deal with the night of anguished Tums consumption just because I can't help myself. Just a little bit longer and you're evicted, baby, do you hear me? Because I wish to eat mounds of Indian food and NOT regret it.
Thing 3: Fair isle mittens. I love the pattern I've picked. (For those on Ravelry, Ruba'iyat Mittens.) I love the yarn, a gorgeous wool, NZ possum, and silk blend, which my mother in law brought me back from their trip there. I finished the first mitten on Tuesday night, and it fits perfectly. And now... now I have another mitten to knit. An identical mitten to knit. And as much as I want to have these perfect, beautiful, softer and warmer than I'd believed mittens on my hands, I also am having trouble making myself start the second mitten.
Thing 4: Designing patterns. I've got two already-tested patterns ready to go up for sale on Ravelry, and I'm having trouble making myself put them up. You see, these are my first paid patterns. I'm terrified that nobody will want to buy them. I spent hours and hours perfecting each of them, and there are some things about each that I still don't adore (even though one of my friends has made 6+ hats from my pattern, so I'm guessing she likes it...) but I'm too blasted nervous and embarrassed to just bite the bullet and figure out the system and upload the patterns. I could have duds. I could have a couple of winners that at least someone will spend a couple of dollars to purchase. Right? And with me out of work and Little Man due to make his appearance very, very soon, a couple of dollars would be very, very nice.
So long, 2009...
2009 was both the best and the worst year that I've ever had. I have been pregnant for 9 out of 12 months. My daughter's brief existence was entirely encapsuled in 2009. I miss her terribly. Most of my pregnancy with my son will have been in 2009. I had my lowest lows in the days after losing my first pregnancy, and some of my highest highs as I felt my son kick for the first time, saw his profile on the ultrasound.
This year I was a crafting maniac. I knit two sweaters and half a shawl on top of dozens of smaller projects, I designed my first pattern (three in one year!), I learned fair isle, I participated in Tour de Fleece and spun more yarn in a month than I'd previously spun at all. I upgraded to a fancier spinning wheel. I got my sewing machine repaired and made an entire purse myself, the first project from it that I'm incredibly proud of. I crafted for Christmas and strung my first necklace. I dyed yarn.
This year I was a traveler. I started off the year in San Diego, I visited DC for the inauguration, I visited dear friends in Switzerland. I was back in DC for girl's weekend, I organized a knitting retreat in the mountains of NC, I went to the NC beach and Lake Superior in MN.
So long, 2009. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. Let 2010 begin a new chapter.
This year I was a crafting maniac. I knit two sweaters and half a shawl on top of dozens of smaller projects, I designed my first pattern (three in one year!), I learned fair isle, I participated in Tour de Fleece and spun more yarn in a month than I'd previously spun at all. I upgraded to a fancier spinning wheel. I got my sewing machine repaired and made an entire purse myself, the first project from it that I'm incredibly proud of. I crafted for Christmas and strung my first necklace. I dyed yarn.
This year I was a traveler. I started off the year in San Diego, I visited DC for the inauguration, I visited dear friends in Switzerland. I was back in DC for girl's weekend, I organized a knitting retreat in the mountains of NC, I went to the NC beach and Lake Superior in MN.
So long, 2009. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. Let 2010 begin a new chapter.
An update on the machine
So, the sewing machine guy is fixing it for free! And it'll be done tomorrow!
Apparently, the problem is the capacitor, which has something to do with the motor. (And is apparently NOT a flux capacitator, surprise surprise?) My repair guy said that Husqvarnas of this era tend to have problems with them at some point in their life. When the capacitor goes out, it causes one of two things to happen: the Husqvarna starts smoking while not being used, or the machine starts to sew and won't stop, even when the peddle isn't being pressed. Which sort of sounds funny (runaway sewing machine!) but I'm sure would've made me just as upset as the whole smoke bit.
So, long story short, that purse will still get made. Tomorrow.
Apparently, the problem is the capacitor, which has something to do with the motor. (And is apparently NOT a flux capacitator, surprise surprise?) My repair guy said that Husqvarnas of this era tend to have problems with them at some point in their life. When the capacitor goes out, it causes one of two things to happen: the Husqvarna starts smoking while not being used, or the machine starts to sew and won't stop, even when the peddle isn't being pressed. Which sort of sounds funny (runaway sewing machine!) but I'm sure would've made me just as upset as the whole smoke bit.
So, long story short, that purse will still get made. Tomorrow.
So much for the sewing machine.
I was working on a new purse when poof. My sewing machine, a 1972 Viking Husqvarna that I inherited from my grandmother, started smoking. This is the first time I've used it since getting it repaired. To say I'm pissed is an understatement.
Christmas Loots
Christmas brought me a lot of fabulous knitting and crafting goodies! I'm looking forward to diving into the Knitters Book of Yarn and the Knitters Book of Wool, care of my mother in law, as well as some lovely fiber that she brought me from Australia. I also have a great reason to dig out the sewing machine - hubby got me a book of knitting patterns that use only a yard of fabric each! I went out to the store and picked up a yard of fabric to start on a purse. Now I just have to get hubby to haul the 40 lbs of sewing machine downstairs.
I also need to get some twine. One of my cats chewed through the drive bands on my spinning wheel. Guess I'll be spending time with the sewing machine instead!
I also need to get some twine. One of my cats chewed through the drive bands on my spinning wheel. Guess I'll be spending time with the sewing machine instead!
Today = pretty much sucking
Just need to rant. I think I'm getting a cavity. My cats have fleas, and I have three brand new bleeders on my arm to showcase my attempts at giving them baths. I need to bake Christmas cookies, but I can't get myself to do it. I'm tired. So tired. And all I really want to do is curl up and read my baby a book, but he's still in there and not out here yet :(
I can't see my feet!
... and my poor kitty paid for it.
Over the past couple of days, my silly half-blind cat has been sticking close to my ankles. It's not a new habit of his, truthfully, but it's only very recently that I've started stepping on his poor paws! When he gets under there, I just can't see him until I hear him yowling. Who'd have thought that I'd be big enough to say that at the very end of the 2nd trimester? 1.5 more weeks to go before I'm officially in my 3rd! On Christmas Eve, I intend to raise my sadly non-alcoholic fizzy grape juice to 3 more months of pregnancy and wishes for a happy and healthy little man in March.
Along those lines, I've finally gotten around to starting a sweater for the little man to wear. While I've done a couple of small projects - booties and a couple pairs of socks - it was hard for me to believe that he would actually be joining us any time soon. Each day ahead seemed like ages before his birth. Now, however, I flip through the calendar, and he's almost here! I have so many things I was planning to make for him, and now I really have to hustle to get it all done.
I finally managed to finish up my February Lady Sweater, too. It's in burgundy Malabrigo, and I altered the pattern to add a collar, changed the yoke to seed stitch from garter, and used only a single button rather than the three called for in the pattern. Here's a half-assed picture of me wearing it, at 25 weeks:
I should've worn it with a white shirt to show off just how big my little man is getting!
Over the past couple of days, my silly half-blind cat has been sticking close to my ankles. It's not a new habit of his, truthfully, but it's only very recently that I've started stepping on his poor paws! When he gets under there, I just can't see him until I hear him yowling. Who'd have thought that I'd be big enough to say that at the very end of the 2nd trimester? 1.5 more weeks to go before I'm officially in my 3rd! On Christmas Eve, I intend to raise my sadly non-alcoholic fizzy grape juice to 3 more months of pregnancy and wishes for a happy and healthy little man in March.
Along those lines, I've finally gotten around to starting a sweater for the little man to wear. While I've done a couple of small projects - booties and a couple pairs of socks - it was hard for me to believe that he would actually be joining us any time soon. Each day ahead seemed like ages before his birth. Now, however, I flip through the calendar, and he's almost here! I have so many things I was planning to make for him, and now I really have to hustle to get it all done.
I finally managed to finish up my February Lady Sweater, too. It's in burgundy Malabrigo, and I altered the pattern to add a collar, changed the yoke to seed stitch from garter, and used only a single button rather than the three called for in the pattern. Here's a half-assed picture of me wearing it, at 25 weeks:
I should've worn it with a white shirt to show off just how big my little man is getting!
The future Broadway star?
Little Mr. got to go "see" a Broadway play last night. He really seemed to like it, if the constant kicking and dancing meant anything! I figure this is as good a place as any to keep track of some of the fun things he's done in utero.
At this point, he's been to 3 musicals: Grease (1st trimester), West Side Story (2nd trimester), and Phantom of the Opera (end of 2nd trimester). West Side Story was one of the first times I really felt him moving around in there. All the books say he could hear loud noises from outside the womb as early as 15 or 16 weeks; at 17 weeks, he could certainly hear the loud songs in West Side Story. "America" really got him dancing.
And last night, as his hearing has developed even more, he seemed to hear everything. He kicked away during the Phantom theme. He wiggled for Music of the Night. He rolled around during the opera scenes. Masquerade left him cold, but he danced away for Point of No Return.
It was magic.
At this point, he's been to 3 musicals: Grease (1st trimester), West Side Story (2nd trimester), and Phantom of the Opera (end of 2nd trimester). West Side Story was one of the first times I really felt him moving around in there. All the books say he could hear loud noises from outside the womb as early as 15 or 16 weeks; at 17 weeks, he could certainly hear the loud songs in West Side Story. "America" really got him dancing.
And last night, as his hearing has developed even more, he seemed to hear everything. He kicked away during the Phantom theme. He wiggled for Music of the Night. He rolled around during the opera scenes. Masquerade left him cold, but he danced away for Point of No Return.
It was magic.
A sweater for the bump
Wo, hello December. Time's just flying by. It's only 4 months until we meet mini-me! He needs a name. It's continuously surprising to me just how hard it is to find one for him. Apparently my husband and I have absolutely opposite taste in names. Every time one of us comes up with something, the other goes "ugh. No, I can't possibly name my son that."
And isn't that crazy? Getting to say "my son." My son just kicked me. Wild.
As the little peanut gets bigger and less peanut shaped, so my body requires a sweater to keep him warm. I've been plugging away at a February Lady Sweater since I found out I was pregnant. My first attempt at the pattern ended in a tragic two-sizes-too-large surprise in April. For further note: do not use cotton or cotton blends on the FLS. It grows down to one's knees.
This has been a fun exercise in changing the pattern to make it more fun. The yoke of the original is garter stitch. Nope, I'm doing seed stitch! Garter stretches too much! I'm skipping button holes and planning for crocheted loops over some lovely post-consumer material buttons that I scored at JoAnn's. I'm reducing the size of the arms by one pattern repeat so they don't hang down so big and make me look even more giant than the Peanut is causing. And for the yarn... Mmmmmalabrigo. Lovely, soft, squishy wine-colored Malabrigo. I want to sit and pet my skeins instead of knitting.
So I have a sleeve and a half, and a bit more body, to go. And then, with any luck, a sweater that will finally fit me and that I'll want to wear. It will have taken a long time to get there. Now, if I can only ignore the fact that I messed up a repeat halfway through the body, but refuse to go back and fix it...
And isn't that crazy? Getting to say "my son." My son just kicked me. Wild.
As the little peanut gets bigger and less peanut shaped, so my body requires a sweater to keep him warm. I've been plugging away at a February Lady Sweater since I found out I was pregnant. My first attempt at the pattern ended in a tragic two-sizes-too-large surprise in April. For further note: do not use cotton or cotton blends on the FLS. It grows down to one's knees.
This has been a fun exercise in changing the pattern to make it more fun. The yoke of the original is garter stitch. Nope, I'm doing seed stitch! Garter stretches too much! I'm skipping button holes and planning for crocheted loops over some lovely post-consumer material buttons that I scored at JoAnn's. I'm reducing the size of the arms by one pattern repeat so they don't hang down so big and make me look even more giant than the Peanut is causing. And for the yarn... Mmmmmalabrigo. Lovely, soft, squishy wine-colored Malabrigo. I want to sit and pet my skeins instead of knitting.
So I have a sleeve and a half, and a bit more body, to go. And then, with any luck, a sweater that will finally fit me and that I'll want to wear. It will have taken a long time to get there. Now, if I can only ignore the fact that I messed up a repeat halfway through the body, but refuse to go back and fix it...
Five Hour Market Bag
Five-Hour Market Bag with I-Cord Handle
S. Sipe
This market bag combines crochet and knit i-cord to create a stretchy bag with a sturdy handle. Gauge is irrelevant.
Cotton, worsted weight yarn (Gauge unnecessary)
US size K/6.5mm hook
2 size-8 DPNs.
1: Ch 4, DC 11 into first ch stitch. This makes 12 stitches. Place a marker in the first stich. Do not join round; continue to work in a spiral.
2: Work 2 DC into each stitch. This doubles the round. (24 stitches)
3: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next stitch. Repeat to end of round. (36 stitches).
4: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next two stitches. Repeat to end of round. (48)
5: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next three stitches. Repeat to end of round. (60)
6: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next four stitches. Repeat to end of round. (72)
7: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
8: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round. Join round with a slip stitch.
Begin netting pattern
9: Ch 5, slip stitch into 3rd stitch. Ch 5, slip into 6th stitch. Ch 5, slip stitch into 9th stitch. Continue this pattern to the end of the round. Slip stitch final ch 5 into first loop created in the round; this begins a net that will spiral up the bag.
10: Ch 5, slip stitch into next loop created in previous round. Ch 5, slip stitch into next loop. Continue this pattern to the end of the round.
Repeat line 10 until bag is as big as desired.
On final row, join round with a slip stitch.
Begin top of bag
1: Ch 2, slip stitch into 1st loop created in previous round. Ch 2, slip stitch into next loop. Continue this pattern to the end of the round. Do not join; continue to work in a spiral.
2: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
3: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
4: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
5: Work 1 SC into each stitch, repeat to end of round. On final stitch, join round with a slip stitch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
I-cord handle
Pick up 5 stitches with one of the DPNs. Begin making i-cord.
1: Knit across the row.
2: Do not turn the work. Slip work to other end of the needle (your yarn will be at the “wrong” end of the work).
3: Knit across the row, pulling yarn tightly across the back of the row.
4: Repeat until cord is as long as you’d like for your handle.
5: With empty needle, pick up 5 stitches on the opposite side of the bag from where your strap begins. Make sure strap is not twisted. Use kitchener stitch to bind off. Weave in ends.
For a market bag with two handles, simply pick up stitches for step 5 one quarter of the way around the top of the bag. Once first strap is bound off, start with I-cord step 1 on the opposite side of the bag from where the first strap began, and repeat directions.
S. Sipe
This market bag combines crochet and knit i-cord to create a stretchy bag with a sturdy handle. Gauge is irrelevant.
Cotton, worsted weight yarn (Gauge unnecessary)
US size K/6.5mm hook
2 size-8 DPNs.
1: Ch 4, DC 11 into first ch stitch. This makes 12 stitches. Place a marker in the first stich. Do not join round; continue to work in a spiral.
2: Work 2 DC into each stitch. This doubles the round. (24 stitches)
3: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next stitch. Repeat to end of round. (36 stitches).
4: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next two stitches. Repeat to end of round. (48)
5: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next three stitches. Repeat to end of round. (60)
6: Work 2 DC into first stitch, 1 DC into next four stitches. Repeat to end of round. (72)
7: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
8: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round. Join round with a slip stitch.
Begin netting pattern
9: Ch 5, slip stitch into 3rd stitch. Ch 5, slip into 6th stitch. Ch 5, slip stitch into 9th stitch. Continue this pattern to the end of the round. Slip stitch final ch 5 into first loop created in the round; this begins a net that will spiral up the bag.
10: Ch 5, slip stitch into next loop created in previous round. Ch 5, slip stitch into next loop. Continue this pattern to the end of the round.
Repeat line 10 until bag is as big as desired.
On final row, join round with a slip stitch.
Begin top of bag
1: Ch 2, slip stitch into 1st loop created in previous round. Ch 2, slip stitch into next loop. Continue this pattern to the end of the round. Do not join; continue to work in a spiral.
2: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
3: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
4: Work 1 DC into each stitch, repeat to end of round.
5: Work 1 SC into each stitch, repeat to end of round. On final stitch, join round with a slip stitch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
I-cord handle
Pick up 5 stitches with one of the DPNs. Begin making i-cord.
1: Knit across the row.
2: Do not turn the work. Slip work to other end of the needle (your yarn will be at the “wrong” end of the work).
3: Knit across the row, pulling yarn tightly across the back of the row.
4: Repeat until cord is as long as you’d like for your handle.
5: With empty needle, pick up 5 stitches on the opposite side of the bag from where your strap begins. Make sure strap is not twisted. Use kitchener stitch to bind off. Weave in ends.
For a market bag with two handles, simply pick up stitches for step 5 one quarter of the way around the top of the bag. Once first strap is bound off, start with I-cord step 1 on the opposite side of the bag from where the first strap began, and repeat directions.