I've blocked out time for several knitting deadlines but am waiting on the yarn a little longer than I had anticipated. This always leaves me not wanting to delve into anything that requires a decent amount of brain power only to abandon it shortly. I just can't seem to wait idle though- enter String bag.

I've been wanting to make a version of one these for forever. We buy lots of fresh veggies and thus the plastic bags accumulate rapidly with the frequent grocery store trips. Also in our new location we now have an organic grocer/farmer's market right next to us on my way home. I was so ridiculously pleased about that. So anyway- I'd been imagining keeping this bag tucked in car but now we are also leaving for a 10 day southern California road trip and I decided that I must have this bag for the beach as well.

Pattern: Saturday Market Bag from June 2006 MagKnits
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream in 159121 (2 balls)
Needles: US 15 and US 10 Denise
Modifications: Inspired by the modifications on disdressed's blog here I converted it to a two strap bag as well. I also made it a little smaller although not as much. I made the strap longer too as I like to wear it cross-shoulder. Do take note though, the strap stretchs A LOT so make it shorter than you think. I changed the construction to work it top down in the round (on 77 sts) and then use a three-needle bind-off to close the bottom. Yeay for no seaming, as sewing that stitch pattern did not look enjoyable.

Pacific Ocean here I come!

Posted by Jen at 01:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

This design's been hanging out in the sidebar for a little while but didn't think I'd have a chance to make any photographic-worthy progress for some time. Surprising what you can do in little captured moments. Bonus is this is my current "mindless soothing St st" project and thus perfect for take along. I'm not clinging to any idea that this tank will actually get completed in the intended season given my track record. At least the target season is actually the longer of the two here in sweltering Texas. (And yes, I said two seasons. I'm quite aware of the myth of 4 seasons. When I lived up north, it was 9 months of winter and 3 short months of icky humidity, here it's simply the opposite. Fall and Spring are fleeting enough to be thought figments of your imagination.)

Anyway, about the top, I'm really excited to get to the straps of this one.

See, fun buckles! I've already picked up some fabulous 1930's vintage lucite ones from MakeMeFabrics.com - love! The plan is for a slightly slouchy style tank with ribbing that hugs the hips. Asymetrical pockets on the front will be picked up and knit sideways and finished with little button rows.

I'm using two completely different yarns here too. The green is Lion Wool (mostly because the green leaped into my shopping basket) and that worked out as I wanted a good memory wool type yarn to make a very grippy ribbing. The body however, needed drape and to be warm weather friendly of course. Knitpicks new blend of cotton and linen, CotLin is working beautifully. The color is definitely more saturated than on the website but I like it just as much- nice and bright (reminds me of a swimming pool actually). The green wool will also work well for the buckle straps being less slippery than the cotton blend and tie in the color. I love it when a plan comes together!

Posted by Jen at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

After "uninventing" this technique of double knitting the button band for my Circumnavigated Cardi I had a few requests for a tutorial. I do like to spread the double knitting love, so here we go.

First, let us have a little crash course in double knitting. There are several different methods and variations on those methods for achieving this type of effect. From knitting a tube on two needles with a single strand of yarn, to knitting two layers with two strands, knitting a circle within a circle to two layer colorwork to... phew, well you get the idea. Each of these methods also has its various strengths.

For this application, we will be knitting two layers simultaneously with two strands of yarn; for when working such long rows this is the swiftest variation. If you have ever done stranded colorwork before this method will be familiar. You can hold each strand however you like, both in the left, both in the right or one in each (my preferred method). I also dislike purling continentally so I switch the yarns each row so I'm always working the knit side with my left had. Unlike stranded work where this is verboten due to color dominance, it isn't an issue here. Do whatever works for you!

So how do you get two layers of knitting on the needles at same time? Simple, you intersperse the stitches of one side, every other one with the stitches of the other side like this.

This setup is the constant in all forms of double knitting. I like to think of the stitches on the needle as pairs, one for the front and one corresponding loop for the back. These merry little pairs like to always travel between needles together, kind of like kindergarten street crossing buddies.

Why double knit a button band? Lots of reasons! It gives the more tailored look of a folded hem with Stockinette stitch on both sides yet without having to sew down a folded edge. Working both layers at the same time allows the button hole to be worked through both sides and joined producing a sturdy piece. You can pick up, knit, bind off and be done just like a traditional Garter stitch band.

Double knitting is one of those things where if you've never done it before, just trust the directions and it will work- rather like turning a sock heel the first time. Still with me? Great, onto the instructions for making this work as a button-band.

To start, pick up sts along the edge as you normally would for any type of button band. This is usually 3 sts for every 4 rows, shown here in a contrasting color for visual simplicity.

Purl one row. This is the set up row and from this we will double the number of sts to create the two sides of fabric. You will also notice the pick up row gets "tucked in" naturally so that unstretched, you won't really see it. This helps to disguise the increase row even further.

Now we will work our increase on every stitch across the row. It is pictured here after working halfway across the row, again for clarity. The best method for increasing like this is the Purl into stitch below increase.
To do this- with the yarn in front, insert the tip of your needle purlwise into the top of the stitch below the current one on the left needle. You can lift this stitch onto the left needle to purl it, or purl from where it is.

After you have purled into that stitch, move the yarn to the back and slip the next stitch purlwise (the one that was above the stitch you just worked into). You now have a happy little pair, one stitch for the front and one for the back.

Work each stitch across the row this way until all stitches are doubled.

Turn your work and switch to a needle one or two sizes smaller and you are ready to start double knitting. *Note: In double knitting you will almost always need to go down a needle size or two because the stitches from the second layer squish in-between the other stitches and spread them out creating a looser gauge than a single knit fabric.

With a second ball of yarn (Yarn A) and *with both strands in front, purl 1 in Yarn A, with both strands in back, knit 1 with Yarn B, repeat from * across row. Your first row of double knit is complete. Turn your work and be sure to twist the two strands at the beginning of reach row to close the sides (the top and bottom of the button band). Repeat between * * until you have worked the desired number of plain rows before the buttonhole row.

Buttonhole row: Continuing in double knit, work the desired number of sts until you reach the placement of your first buttonhole. Bring both yarns to front of work, slip 2 sts (1 pair of front and back layer) then move both yarns to back and drop them there.

Slip 2 sts (1 pair) from the left to right needle then pass the first slipped pair of sts over these. Repeat two more times for a total of 6 sts (3 pairs) bound off or for however many you need for your size buttonhole. Then slip the last pair of sts on the right needle back to the left needle and turn work.

Pick up both strands and holding them together cast on 4 sts (or however many pairs you bound off + 1) using Cable Cast-on or Knitting-on Cast-on. The Cable Cast-on produces a neater edge I think, but I found the Knitted-on Cast-on a little easier to work (and is what is pictured here). Instructions for either of these cast-ons can be found here. Remember to work cast-on with both yarns held together (double-stranded). Turn your work and if the WS of the piece is facing you (such as in this example) move the both strands to the front and if the RS is facing you move to back.

Slip 2 sts (1 pair) from the left needle to right needle and pass the last cast-on pair over. Continue in double knitting repeating buttonholes where needed to end of row. On the return row work each loop of the double stranded cast-on sts as one stitch, your little pairs are back. Continue working in double knit until ready to bind off. Note: Remember to twist the yarns at each end (unlike in this swatch *cough*). This will also help neaten up the edges.

To bind-off, a very simple bind-off you can use is similar to the three needle bind-off. Using your original larger needle, simply k2tog (each pair), *k2tog, pass first stitch on right needle over the 2nd and continue from * until all sts are bound off. That's it!
Another alternative for a seamless edge is to graft both layers together. You can even do this with all the sts still on the same needle (this is how I bound off the ends of my cuffs on the Circumnav Cardi) or separate the two layers onto two needles to work traditionally.

The "guts view" to prove it really is two separate layers in there. You can see that both layers will be joined at the buttonhole making them extra sturdy, huzzah!

Posted by Jen at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Yeah I know, more booties- who'd a thought?

I just can't leave left over balls of yarn alone, I can't. Cute, quick and fast knitting even though the finishing took about as long. I used this free pattern and the green Pima Tencel from Anouk.

To review, here's the whole set. Of course now I've stumbled across this really cute bootie version - Simple shoes (pdf). It has interesting construction, and is seamless which I like. Seaming those little suckers is a bit tricky plus I like the idea of less bulk. Hmm, I still have several left-overs around here...

Posted by Jen at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Look, it's not a baked good! But don't worry- it still has plenty of tasty calories.
I whipped this together last week to take along to a free outdoor movie in the park thing. I swear it tastes even better when eaten outside sitting on a blanket. :)

Seven Layer Bean Dip

• 1 can refried beans (I used black bean vegetarian)
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2-3 medium ripe avocados, mashed
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2-1 package taco seasoning mix
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 (3 ounce) can black olives (sliced or chopped)
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar (or Mexican style) cheese

I dislike washing a bunch of bowls. So I just mix one layer in a mixing bowl then spread it in the serving dish, rinse the bowl and repeat. (Note: the picture above is of a halved version of this recipe)

Mix refried beans, salsa and 1/4 cup sour cream. Spread as bottom layer in serving dish.
Mix avocados, lemon juice, salt and pepper and layer in dish.
Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, and taco seasoning mix and layer in dish.
Sprinkle with most of the tomatoes, onions then olives reserving some for top garnish.
Sprinkle cheese on top.
Garnish with remaining tomatoes, onions and olives.
If time allows, cover and chill for a few hours in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.

Serve with tortilla chips and preferably a bucket of Corona.

Posted by Jen at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Remember this guy?

After being stuck in pattern editing/writing reruns I rather lost the mojo. The push to release an all wool hat pattern in the middle of summer was rather lacking. I do still love the design and yarn however, and the pattern works, it's more of a matter of getting it into a digestible written form. I have the whole thing written in my "short short version" in 5 lines. But that kind of "continue as established" pattern can be just annoying, and I want knitters to actually enjoy making it (novel concept indeed). So- many many a version rewrite have happened as you can see here. Though, I now have some additional incentive to try to get this finished up.

After a very pleasantly unexpected phone call with Eunny at Interweave Knits, I found out a design I submitted was accepted for the Winter 2007 issue! The knitting is a pretty quick turn around, so I'm trying to finish up the hat pattern before the yarn gets here. I'm really excited about this Interweave project! The design came from my head to swatch so well that I can't wait to work up the whole project. I'm really smitten with this one.

Plus, Kerrie of HipKnits (and MagKnits fame) contacted me about doing a design for her hand-painted luxury yarn lines at HipKnits. Have you seen these yarns? I jumped on that one! So I'm eagerly awaiting yarns for this one too.

In other fun news- my Scarlet Woman Tank pattern was nominated for the Sexy Knitter's Club, so cool!

*staggers off in a daze...*

Posted by Jen at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Seems I did have time to fit in a matching hat for Anouk, mostly because damn, those baby accessories are fast knits. I've had this pattern bookmarked for awhile and cast on and off in one night. Actually the little flower took me as long as the hat as I went through a couple different ones from Knitting on the Edge but even the smallest seem too overwhelming for such a petite hat. I settled on my favorite (and ridiculously easy) flower to date, this one. Only I cast on just 31 sts, binding off 5 sts for each petal and only having 1 stitch on the needle between them.

Pattern: Lilly Hat by Larissa Brown of Stitch Marker
Yarn: Left over Pima Tencel from Anouk pattern
Needles: I kinda guessed here since no actual gauge is given and went with size 9's.
Flower: Flowers in Bloom from Spring '06 of For The Love of Yarn

Posted by Jen at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Wow, three FO's in a month - what's happened to me? (Technically they were finished in May, I am late blogging them)

Yep, really basic socks, but I figured a good place to start (crazy idea, I know). I'm so happy with them! And fun to photograph! I have this theory that socks are kinda the "baby pictures of other peoples kids" of the knitblog world. It's never quite as interesting to others as it is to you. I know before I started a sock, I'd see photos and was like "That's nice, but you know- looks like a sock, whoopie." But then you start you're own, and every little part is so novel. I was all "Look!! It actually Looks Just Like a Sock!". And you want to show it off even to those you know have less than equal enthusiasm.

It really took a long time to finish the second one, but that's because I made them my traveling socks. They're such a great easy-yet-interesting project to take on the road. They've logged several flights as well. I think a pair of socks will always be on the needles for me. Not going to be churning them out left and right but it rounds out the WIP basket nicely and oh so portable.

Showing someone the socks - "Look, see how the gusset is formed, cool huh?" Equals about the same reaction as
Showing some teenager - "Awww, isn't the baby cute when it burps like that?"

These shoes have found a new purpose.

Yarn: Bernat Sox in Jazz Hot colorway
Pattern: Basic Ribbed Socks from Spunmag.com by Kate Atherley
Needles: US size 2
Followed the directions exactly and worked at 60 sts.

Posted by Jen at 01:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)