So, let’s admit it. We are knitting and crochet addicts. Most of the time, we have more yarn in our stash than we need or will use any time soon. We must complete the next row before we can move on with the rest of our lives. But our addiction goes deeper than the height of our stash. We are addicted to bags – lots of bags. To hold our projects. To hold our stash. To hang in our closet and be cool. Finding the perfect project bag is as much of a quest for perfection as finding the perfect pattern for the latest yarn we just purchased.
My Knitting Bag Has Friends
Well, I think I have found it. My perfect knitting bag is not from Namaste, Vera Wang, Knit Picks or Michael’s. It is from a Seattle designer named Tom Bihn. The “Swift” bag was designed in collaboration with readers from Knitty magazine. This bag was designed by knitters for knitters and crocheters alike! You can order Tom Bihn Swift bag here on their Web site. If you want to read about my perfect bag and others that may suit your creative style, click here.
My Swift knitting bag fits all that I need to carry four or five projects, a book and a few new knitted friends that have come into my life from Ravelry.
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I have to thank all my wonderful friends on Ravelry who have given me so much support during my many bad days of constant pain. I am a part of a wonderful group of knitters and crocheters who share the common thread of autoimmune conditions in their lives. We share our frustrations, pain , health information and our celebrations of good days and our creative talent on our discussion board threads. Although we have never met in person and our conversations are virutal via the world-wide Web, the friendships I have made has given me a true community that is hard to find these days. For that, I am truly grateful.
This month, our group decided to share random acts of kindness with one another. We posted wish lists of items we would like someone to send us. From prayers for good health, postcards and yarn, the items were usually small and simple requests. Anyone who wanted to send someone something would contact them for their home address. As people received packages, we would thank them on the discussion board. Participation was voluntary and you did not have to return the person’s kindness with anything in return.
My Little Green Bunny
So far I have received yummy yarn, teas, some handmade stitch markers and goodies. Each gift was like having the person stop by my home for a visit and a hug or two. One of my favorite gifts thus far has been a handmade knitted bunny rabbit from Auntien. I carry my little green bunny with me to my doctor’s appointments. It is my portable hug, and a reminder to me that some one cares for me today.
The bunny pattern can be found here. It is made from a simple knitted square that is folded and sewn together, plus knitted ears added at the end. The trickiest part for me was understanding the instructions of where to fold and sew the legs together. And, to stuff the bunny to get the proper proportions. Here are some tips for the pattern:
Photo A
- Start with the front and back legs first, rather than the head. I did the head after all the legs were sewn.
- When folding the edges for the legs, you are creating triangles (see photo A).
- Remember that the back legs have a longer seam than the front legs.
- When creating the semi-circle for the head, the height needs to be 1/3 of the original square. It will look large when you first see the semi-circle. But, once you tighten the yarn and stuff the head, it will be in the proper proportions for the body.
- After sewing the body, do the ears. The ears will also seem larger than needed at first. But, once it is attached to the head, it will look adorable.
So, perform a random act of kindness today and remind someone that some bunny loves you.
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Ok. I have a confession to make. I have never been a water drinker and have always had a hard time drinking the recommended amounts each day. I can drink tea and coffee forever, but my doctors have told me that neither of those count. Water keeps you hydrated, helps you with weight management and keeps your skin healthy. But even with those reasons on hand, drinking water has been a challenge for me. Until now …
Crochet Water Bottle Holder
My dear friend Alyce sent me a lovely crocheted water bottle holder recently, and now I find myself drinking water all day! What a wonderful idea for a project – it is portable, quick and helps you stay healthy. So, I decided to try and create a knitted lace water bottle pattern. I sent it to her this week.
A few tips on choosing the yarn when doing this project. Find a strong and slightly stretchy yarn. Alyce crocheted my water bottle holder with nylon cord – it is very durable! I used a Katia Gatsby Lux yarn for her bottle that is not as strong as the nylon, but is slightly stretchy. Alyce says that worsted and cotton yarns did not work well because they lost its color, strength or piled up over time. We both added charms to our water bottle holders. Alyce made me a charm that represents the hand and eye of God for protection. I added a simple butterfly for her water bottle.
Lace Water Bottle Holder
My knitted Lace Water Bottle Holder pattern can be download here or on Ravelry. It is also on my “More Free Patterns” page.
Correction April 1, 2009 9 p.m. PST: The rounds were mis-numbered in the original file at the base of the pattern. In addition there was a repeat of the decrease rounds that were missing so that you can get to the desired number of stitches listed.
Last correction April 3, 2009: Please delete Round 2 in the decrease rows section of the April 1, 2009 pattern. The pattern file has been corrected and has the words “Revised 4/2/09.” in the footer.
The Decrease Rows section should now read as follows:
Round 1: On each dpn, * (k2, k2tog) repeat from * until the last stitch, k1
Round 2: On each dpn, * (k1, k2tog) repeat from * until last stitch, k1
Round 3: On each dpn, * (k1, k2tog) repeat from * until last two stitches, k2
Round 4: knit
I am trying to get Alyce to write down her pattern so it can be shared too! I will keep you posted. In the meantime, got water? Drinking it will be much more fun with this in your hand! Enjoy!
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Kkhymn's Corner 