Should I be Little Miss Crochetalot?!?!?!

Well, lately I should be!

I finally have figured out how to crochet *happy dance*

I've been lusting after some gorgeous crochet patterns for soooooooo long, and it just never clicked how to do it! Then I watched a You Tube clip on how to, and it kinda just sunk in finally!

So I've been madly crocheting! I've done 2 soakers for a dear friend, and today have just finished off another dishcloth, which I'm LOVING!

I've alog just started on a pair of longies for Ayla, but think they may turn into capris, cause it's just not cold enough yet!

I've got a few WIP's but won't go into them just now...will wait for my friend to post some pics of the soakers to put them up here :)

Until now you will have to be happy with this

Made using some gorgeous Jolly Jumbuck hand dyed wool, and the New Life Woolens pattern for the Simple Croched Ribbed Seamless Soaker.

VERY easy & a perfect fit on baby T!!!!!

2 quick knits!

Still in search of the perfect bag...and this one comes close! I just need to find some fabric for the handles that I think matches either the button or the wool! Might even end up knitting some...time will tell!

So here is Bagette



The other super quick knit was for not actual purpose! I guess it will sit in my drawer until we one day finally visit snow some day!
This is Rhiannon (4) modeling Calorimetry for me :)

The Felted Belle Bag

Ok...so I just made that name up right then ;) Dodgy I know, but it needed a name! And now here's the pattern :D

I've never understood the need for an enormous hand bag! I'm one of those strange women who doesn't carry her entire life's collection around with her! A wallet, phone, keys & business cards is ALL I take with me when I got out. Unless it's for a long trip, then I drag out the nappy bag too, but that's for the kids not me!

So, after searching for the perfect bag for waaaaaay too long, I decided to knit one! I had the wool, the needles & the know how, but couldn't find the perfect pattern!

Well, here it is!

Gauge isn't really important with this one, because it will only make the bag slightly smaller or larger, so you might want to do that anyway, and it is intended to be felted. Just keep in mind that the end felted bag will be smaller then your original knitted piece.

The yarn I used was GORGEOUS Bendigo Woolen Mills 12Ply Rustic Wineberry for the Main Colour (MC) & 10Ply Aran Seamist for the Second Colour (SC)

Using 5mm needles, cast on 49 stitches.
Row 1: MC knit to end
Row 2: MC Purl to end
repeat last 2 rows until you have 10 rows.
Row 11: join SC & knit to end.
Row 12: SC Purl to end
Row 13: MC knit to end
Continue in SS alternating in SC every 10 rows until you have 106 rows. If you lose count of your rows just count the SC stripes.

Cast off & lay your piece flat.

Now cast on 10 stitches of MC.
Row 1: MC knit to end
Row 2: MC purl to end
Row 3: Join in SC & knit to end
Row 4: SC purl to end.
Row 5: MC knit to end
Row 6: MC purl to end.
Continue in SS until your handle measures the desired length. The one in the picture is 210 rows. This includes 2 rows of MC at each end (needed for stitching together when finished so the stripes match up.
My handle is just the right length to go around my shoulder, and sit snuggly under my arm.

Making up.

Fold your main piece in half with a MC panel sitting flat on the table. You will sew the ends of your handle to this to make a small flat base part. Line up the stripes of your bag to the stripes of your handle. Tuck the 2 extra rows to the inside of the bag. Stitch up the sides, and you're done!Un-felted

I popped a little button on the front & croched a little loop. It's not absolutely necessary, but I think it makes the bag a little more secure! Might help if the button matches a bit better though ;)

Then to felt it, pop it in the washing machine on a hot wash, with a towel of similar colour, and send through a full wash & extra spin. Take it out, let it dry, and GO SHOPPING with your new bag and listen to people ooooh & aaaaah over how clever you are :D

TA DA!!!