Wendy Knits

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?

More questions about Booga Bags!

From Janice:
I was at SOAR last week and on my way home I stopped at the famous bakery and knit shop near Traverse City Mi. and bought some kureyon 91 to knit a booga bag. question—Does your other bags take most of three skeins? Three is what I bought and I would like to make my bag larger also.

The pattern as written takes exactly three skeins for me. A bit over two skeins for the bag, then I use up the remainder of the third skein knitting the i-cord for the handles. So if you want a bigger bag, buy more Kureyon!

Silvia sez:
I’m buying shares in Noro if this pace is maintained! Yet another gorgeous bag, and the i-cord detail will provide the perfect opportunity to shop for buttons! I also noticed the fabric store selling the “tortoise shell” handles that beaded vintage bags used. Have you thought of trying to make a bag using those handles or the bamboo hoops? Could be fun…

Shares in Noro might not be a bad idea. We all know how obsessive I am about yarn.

Tortoiseshell handles sound like a fun idea! Has anyone tried this? Hey Julie, if you’re reading this, maybe you can do a bag pattern using these handles! Hinty, hinty, hinty! I saw on Julie’s blog that she’s started a business — Black Sheep Bags. This is good news for me, as I love handbags and tote bags of all sorts!

Lucy spent the evening waiting for the heat to subside.

And Lucy’s mom spent the evening with a migraine, probably due to changing weather (a rainstorm came through last night).

But I did get up long enough to take a photo of Amphora-in-progress:

No one can accuse me of being vain after seeing that photo.

Besides, it’s just silly. Those are Ian’s glasses.

Lucy declined to wear the glasses. She’s a smart little girl.

I’m Hooked!

. . . on Booga Bags!

Thanks again, Julie, for sharing this pattern with all of us. I just can’t stop knitting them!

As I mentioned yesterday, my current bag is in Kureyon 55, shades of brown and cream . . . like Lucy. I’ve got a bunch of Kureyon in this colorway, thanks to L-B, who sent it to me in a trade. So I’m making a bigger bag for myself. I love how the bags stand up by themselves, so I wanted to make one to use as a commuting knitting bag/purse. So I wanted it bigger.

I have cast on 60 stitches instead of the 34 called for. I plan on knitting 40 rows for the bottom, rather than the 34 called for. I want it a little bit deeper from front to back, but not double. The pattern has you knit 64 rounds after you pick up stitches around the bottom. I’ll play that by ear. I do like the height of the bag as it is, so I might not mess with that, or if I do, just a few more rounds.

I’m going to knit a rectangle to felt and sew on the outside as a pocket (maybe 40 stitches wide?) and if I have enough yarn, I’ll knit a pocket for the inside too. And a skinny rectangle to make a tab to use as a closure on top. I may make a big buttonhole in it and look for a “fun” toggle button to use.

The possibilities are endless.

I’ll post a photo of my bag in progress when I’ve got enough to give you some idea of the colors and striping sequence.

Teaching Knitting

A question in yesterday’s comments on teaching beginner knitters.

What I have done in the past is to cast on stitches and knit the first row, then give it to the student and explain/demonstrate the knit stitch.

My experience is that casting on can be scary to a new knitter. Knitting the first round after casting on can be difficult too. I like to see students get comfy with the knit stitch before I make them cast on.

When said student seems to have gotten the hang of “knit,” I teach purl. I don’t like to wait too long before teaching how to purl, because of my own experience. I knew how to knit years before I learned how to purl. I detest purling, and I blame that gap between learning the two skills. I think if someone learns knitting and purling almost simultaneously, it’ll be easier.

What do you all think?

Amphora!

Mmmmmmmm . . . it’s just plain yummy to knit. A real stress-buster! The pattern is intricate enough to keep my interest but simple enough to be a pretty quick knit. And the 2-ply Hebridean wool? If you haven’t tried it, I encourage you to do so. It’s soft and springy and a sensory delight to knit!

What the Heck is with the Weather?

The forecast for yesterday was in the low 80s. I think we broke a record for heat. It’s supposed to get to 81 today. As you can see, Lucy does not approve of such heat in November!