Sunday, August 26, 2007

Knit urge

I got this great knit dishcloth pattern last night, and I finished it last night too!
I just HAD TO knit last night, and once I started on this project, I couldn't put my needles down!

"House Work Sucks" knit dishcloth

Rachel created this cute dishcloth design, and I'm now trying to decide which one I'll get next from her website. :)

I got to knit more since my knitting skill has gotten really rusty. :(
My cast-on is a little floppy, and it was hard to keep the same tension. Let me just blame it on the cotton yarn, ok. :D

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Felted Cache Bag - Free crochet pattern

PLEASE NOTE: This pattern has not been tested. Please email me for errors and suggestions. Thanks!

Felted Cache Bag - Front view Feled Cache Bag - Side view

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Felted Cashe Bag
~This pattern and items made with this pattern are for personal use only and not for commercial use. ~

Materials
5 skeins Moda Dea Cache
L/11/8mm hook

Gauge
Not important.

Finished Dimension
Approximately 15” wide and 12” tall from the bottom of the bottom of bag to the top of handle.

Bottom of Bag
Ch 28 loosely.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (26 dc)
Note: At the beg of each dc row / round, I did (ch 2, dc in same st) to avoid having "holes" on the bag after felting. Do not work into the ch-2 (except on Rnd 1 of Bag), and do not count as a st.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st across, turn.
Row 3 - 11: Rep Row 2.

Bag
Rnd 1(RS): Ch 1, sc in each st and 2 sc in each row around, sl st in 1st sc. Mark this rnd as the right side. (96 sts)
Rnd 2 - 15: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around, sl st in 1st dc.
Rnd 16: Ch 2, dc in same st and in next 2 sts, ch 30, sk next 22 sts, dc in next 26 sts, ch 30, sk next 22 sts, dc in next 23 sts, sl st in first dc.
Rnd 17: Ch 2, dc in same st and each st & ch around, sl st in first dc. (112 sts)
Rnd 18 & 19: Rep Rnd 2. Fasten off on Rnd 19.

Handle Edging
Join yarn in any st of a handle opening.
Sc in each st around, fasten off.
Rep on other side of handle opening.

Weave in ends.

Felting
Put the bag into a pillow case with a zipper, then put it into washer with a couple of pairs of old jeans/some towels and a small amount of liquid detergent/dish soap. Put the bag through hot-water washing cycles for approximately 10 minutes, and check the bag. Felt it more if necessary, but check the bag often and do not let it rinsed in cold water until it is felted as you like. After the felting is done and the bag is rinsed & spin-dried in washer (This does not ruin your bag!), lay the bag flat, pull it to reshape if necessary. Let the bag dry completely.

Copyright©2007 Chie O'Briant. All rights reserved.
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Your support will help me keep offering free patterns.
Thank you so much and happy stitching!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Felted Cache Bag

Do you remember this post..... and how it ended up?
Well, I made a felted bag with the yarn! :)

Felted Cache Bag - Front viewFeled Cache Bag - Side view
Yarn: Moda Dea Cache
Pattern: None

I only used double crochet stitches so this bag was one evening project, which I LOVE! Last year, I experimented felting with a project for which I only double-crocheted, and it felted just fine so since then, I like to just use dc for my own felting projects (although I love the Tunisian crochet stitches as well).
This bag is thick and sturdy, and I think it's perfect for carrying around materials for crochet & knit projects!
I got to say, my felting is really going well. :))

*****

I recently went to one of my local craft stores first time in a long time, bought some yarn to make 3 more bags, and also found they now carry the Red Heart Soft Yarn(About time)! Yay!!! I only bought 1 skein this time just to try this yarn, but I know (& I knew), this is going to be my favorite yarn! I'm already dreaming about soft and comfy afghans and such... :)
Well, they wait way too long to have this yarn in their store! :(
We need new yarns more quickly, down here in Mississippi!!!!!