Wendy Knits

Tuesday

By Wendy on November 11, 2003

Yesterday was a nice relaxing day.

Lucy wanted to go shopping with me.

She was also a big help with Amphora.

So . . . apart from Amphora knitting, I spent the day cleaning (yuck) and then went to the mall (not so yuck). So not so much to report. I’m about 15 rounds from the beginning of the armhole steeks on Amphora.

November Contest

Thanks for all the entries I’ve received so far. I’ve got the beginnings of a good FAQ page! A pattern is emerging as to what your favorite questions are.

And last but not least . . .

Posted in Wendy Knits

Contest Clarification

By Wendy on November 10, 2003

Please note that when I described the contest, I specified that you send me a question and an answer. Answers can be found by searching the archives. There’s a search function for my blog located in the sidebar.

I’ve gotten a couple of entries that are just questions, no answers, so I wanted to make that clear!

Thanks.

Posted in Wendy Knits

November Contest

By Wendy on November 10, 2003

It’s that time again, kids.

When Wendy asks you to do work for her in the guise of a contest.

Here’s what you gotta do.

At the end of last month, Roi said this in my comments:

When I notice questions being asked of you that have been asked numerous times before – espeically the ones I’ve asked previously – I wonder if it would help you to have a “Frequently Asked Questions” section in your blog. You could have us every-day readers do the work for you – come up with a list of those questions? Could even be combined with a contest???

“What a great idea!” thought I.

So that’s the contest. Email me (via the email link in the sidebar) a question and answer for my soon to be created FAQ page. You might notice that there is a searhc box in my sidebar — you can find my answers to common questions by searching through my blog.

Please email your entries to me by 5:00pm EST Friday, November 14, 2003 (one entry per person, please) to be included in the drawing for this:

This is The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges by Ann Budd. The book was generously donated by Catherine in California (also known to some of you as “3c”).

Some Mouse-a-thon News

Yes, Ian and I are still bagging mice and taking them over to Capital Animal Care. We brought two shopping bags full over to Barbara on Saturday. We’ve still got 100 or so mice to bag, and that’ll finish up the last delivery of two shopping bags full, which we’ll do next weekend. I know there are a few more mice out there coming in, so we’ll bring thos over as we get them.

Apparently the mousies are big sellers! Barbara told me about a man who bought one for his cat, who is terminally ill and only has a few weeks left to live. The man has since told her that this mouse was his kitty’s favorite toy. so you guys can feel very proud of yourselves — not only have the mice raised money for the rescue organization, but in this case, and possibly more, a mousie has brought comfort to an ailing kitty.

A number of you have emailed me to ask if I’m going to have another mouse-a-thon next year. I know that I’ve got some interest from the emails — what do the rest of you think? I’m game if you guys are! We can do another one next summer, complete with raffle prizes, if you guys are interested.

Amphora

I got a good bit done on Amphora over the weekend. Here it is:

Lucy seems impressed, doesn’t she?

Posted in Wendy Knits

Obsession!

By Wendy on November 7, 2003

No, not the fragrance by Calvin Klein.

Something that Julie (Queen of the Booga Bags) said in my comments yesterday got me thinking:

And you say you love bags. Do you also love baskets, boxes and other
containers? I am obsessed with them and my husband says it must be
somthing psychological — this obsession with containers. He he!

I hadn’t really thought about it before, but yes, I do love all sorts of containers. To the point of obsession. Thinking back on it, I think I’ve always had a container obsession.

I have an embarassing number of purses, because I am always in search of the ultimate purse. No purse yet has met all the requirements for ultimate pursedom. It must be able to sit in my lap on the train without falling over. It must be easy to open and close with one hand. It must have an outside pocket to hold my farecard and car keys. It must have an inside pocket to hold my pens and other small junk. It must be large enough to hold my purse stuff plus a smallish knitting project, but not be too large as to be unwieldy. Oh, and it must have both a shoulder strap and carry handles.

Many purses have tried, but none have yet met all those criteria.

I have Coach purses, Louis Vuitton purses, Dooney & Bourke purses, and Brighton purses. All have tried, none have met my requirements for Purse Charming.

I have similar issues with luggage and totebags.

I love baskets. I love small collectible boxes. I have always wanted to collect Battersea enamel boxes and antique Limoges boxes but they are too bloody expensive.

A Special Treat!

Here’s a special treat, courtesy of Vanessa, a frequent Wendyknits reader and commenter.

Wendyknits presents . . .

Vanessa’s Tiny Felted Bag

Isn’t that adorable? And what a great way to use up leftovers from your Booga Bag!

Here are photos of it in its pre-felted state:

And here is the pattern:

tiny purse-
leftover kureyon
co 40 sts (10 1/2 needles)
k1, sl1 across, turn
k1, sl1 across, turn
repeat each row 21 times, or 42 rows altogether. you are making a tube which will be turned inside out, so don’t mess up the k1, sl1 or it won’t be a tube!
alternate slipping every other stitch onto separate needles, now you have a tube.
b.o. 20 sts,
k 20 sts
p 20 sts
k1, ssk or sl1 k1 psso, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
p18
repeat last 2 rows til you have 4 sts left.
p1, p2tog, p1
do i-cord to make a loop, b.o.
sew loop together.
turn the bag inside out.
you have a tiny envelope.
felt along with your bag.
sew on button. done!
of course you can make it as big as the amount of leftover yarn you have, i had a pretty small amount.