Bungee bag
This time of year always gets me in the crafty mood. I love knitting and scrapbooking, but haven’t done either in about 6 months.
A few days ago I picked up a blanket I was working on and knitted maybe 10 rows before the cats took turns on my lap for Petting Time. (Petting Time is serious business at our house; it’s the only time the cats are respectful to each other, all “No, after you” when they want to sit on my lap.)
But now, I really want to knit this again:
It’s “Zeeby’s bag” from the first Stitch ‘N Bitch book. (Or, as Jason refers to it, Knitting Bitches.) I altered the pattern by putting the pocket on the outside, because that was the cutest part. Then, because I hadn’t yet figured out how to do invisible seaming, I totally ruined the bag by creating the world’s ugliest bottom seam. I was so disappointed in myself I didn’t even felt the bag afterwards or anything.
I would’ve been even more upset though if I hadn’t discovered that the pattern called for the straps to be in garter stitch. Garter stitch is extremely, um, elastic-y. Even with my super-tight knitting.
So now when I put anything of substance into the bag (book, pencil, speck of dust), the straps stretch so much that instead of a bag, I’m essentially carrying a wagon without wheels.
I think next time, in addition to making the seams invisible, I’ll knit some sturdy ribbon along with the yarn for the straps so it’s a little more durable.
Oh, knitting. I meant to learn how to do that back when it was All The Rage, but I was too scared of the Texas Ladies who might attend that type of class. I do cross-stitch, but I haven’t done that since God was a boy either.
Comment by Tessie — September 13, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Wow. The only thing I can knit is a scarf. Except for back when I really sucked at knitting and added a stitch every time I started a new row of purling, so what was supposed to be a scarf turned into a bizarre trapezoid thing that someone suggested sewing into the world’s strangest hat. Which I still have.
My point is, screw the elastic-y whatever and the obvious stitches, your knitting prowess amazes me.
Comment by Jess — September 13, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
I start – and never finish – a new knitting project every year. This year I’m considering sewing a rag quilt for my little girl. I haven’t broken the news to my husband, who visibly trembles at the mere mention of me breaking out the sewing machine (I was not aware of my poor anger management skills until I started sewing). What appealed to me about the rag quilt is that you’re SUPPOSED to see the raw edges. I’m sure by this time next year, my daughter will have 1/4 of a lovely quilt!
Comment by LoriD — September 13, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
I am so confused. I posted a comment here earlier and I swear to god that I actually looked at it after it had been published, and it was there. What happened to it?
Comment by Jess — September 13, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
I’m sorry Jess – I checked the comments held in moderation and there’s nothing. The only thing I can think of is that earlier this morning, I was playing around trying to figure out how to add a “Preview Comment” section and maybe if you entered it while I was updating the CSS coding, it might’ve gotten lost. My apologies.
Comment by Shauna — September 13, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
No big deal–all it said was that my knitting skills are limited to scarves. Except this one time that I started knitting a scarf but I was such a bad knitter that I was adding a stitch every time I started a row of purling, so after a few days it had turned into a bizarre trapezoid thing. So I stuck the sides together, sewed it up, and had the weirdest hat ever.
The point being that regardless of the elastic-y thing and the visible stitching, I am very impressed that you knitted that very cute bag yourself.
Comment by Jess — September 13, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
I think if you had felted it, the ugly seams would disappear. Isn’t that part of the joy of felting?? I was a purse knitting/felting fool last year, even though I carry absolutely none of them. Then I got pregnant and knitting made me throw up and I haven’t knit since. I need to revisit it to make sure I haven’t forgotten.
Comment by Shelly — September 13, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Actually it’s “knittin’ bitches” said quickly.
Comment by Jason — September 13, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
I got some super awesome MAGNETS in the mail. In a super cute metal box with RIBBON. So exciting! They’re now holding torn off pages from my cat-a-day calendar on the fridge. Because, you know, some days are too good to throw away. We have to enjoy them for months!
I should take a photo. Thank you, I love them! Heart!
Comment by blacksheeped — September 13, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
I think the visible stitches are kind of cute. For a wagon sans wheels.
I think it is great how you are thinking of altering the pattern to make this particular project work better for you. How lovely and proactive!! Good luck.
I’ve managed to crotchet a chain and one row of the baby blanket for my now two-year old nephew. But now that I am going to be a blood-related aunt, I am determined to re-learn this little crafty pastime and FINISH the little blanket! Actually, I think I would rather knit. Do you crochet? If so, which do you like better: knitting or crocheting?
Comment by Artemisia — September 18, 2007 @ 12:38 pm