Faux i-cord

My newest pattern has been hibernating since June. I'm not sure why. It was fast, fun, and easy to knit. The pattern probably can fit onto one page. Which reminds me, where are my notes anyway? Darn it, see what happens when things just sit around for ever?

But one part of this new pattern has me pretty excited. For the straps I made an i-cord. But not the traditional kind that takes forever doing three or four stitches, one row at a time, or the kind that hurts your hands from trying to pull that yarn tight in the back.

Ladies, hold onto your needles. Gentlemen too, but I don't think there are any of you out there since I haven't heard from you yet! (Hint, hint.) I am about to present you with a groundbreaking knitting technique. (I checked.)

This is a faux i-cord. I'm sorry to say that it only works if it is felted, but it works like a dream and is so much easier to do!

For this particular one, I cast on about 250 stitches (you don't really need to count) and joined in the round. Keeping the stitches straight for the join is the hardest part, I promise! Then just knit away for 4 rounds or until your work naturally curls back onto itself (I was using worsted weight for this project, you may have to adjust rows depending on your yarn). Bind off.

Yes, that's it. Do not weave in yarn tails! Do not sew tube closed! Throw it in your washing machine and give it a nice strong tug when it comes out. When it's dry and you are ready to use it, cut it to the length(s) needed!

I'm starting a search party for the missing notes so I can finally get the pattern out. Soon!

Edit:
I have been asked a few times about making this on straight needles.  Yes, you can! 
There are two reasons why I didn't.  First, I wanted to get as many stitches as possible on the needles and the best way (for me) to accomplish this was to use a circular needle.  And the second reason is that if you work in the round, there is no purling!  Yay!

The Good, the Bad, and the Party...in reverse

The Party:
We had a family party to go to and my friend is one of those people who prefers that people remove their shoes when inside the house. I don't mind doing that but her floors are all tile or hardwood and my feet are always freezing there. I started thinking about making slippers. If you've been with me for a while, you might remember that last year I made two pairs of French Press Slippers for Christmas presents. I thought about making another pair for a few days, but by the time I was ready to knit them I knew I wouldn't have enough time to knit all the pieces, sew them together, felt them, wait for them to dry, sew them again...ugh. I think Freud may have been working in the back of my mind.

Do you get where I'm going with this?

Then I stumbled upon the pattern for Duffers (non-Ravelry link here). Can I tell you how much I love this pattern? It is so easy. The fit is fantastic and there is only one seam to sew up. Can you say 5 minutes? Seriously! And it's free, too. While I still like the French Press pattern, now that I have tried this new pattern I will not turn back.

The Bad:
I had the strange notion that making them with some of the half-boatload of Lopi I have in my stash would be a good idea. Um, no. I feel like I need to drag my vacuum around behind me when I wear them.
The Good:
Luckily I still had one more day before the party. I made these in three hours. That's like instant knitting for some of you high speed knitters out there (and you know who you are)!
The pattern is so addictive I want to make these for everyone!

So about the Lopi, you ask? Before you get all defensive on me, I know that every knitter has their own feelings about certain kinds of yarns. I get that. I have discovered that I dislike Lopi. Very much.

But if you like it and you want my Lopi slippers, or my Lopi stash, just let me know. Merry Christmas, it's yours. Seriously.

The bandwagon stopped...

just long enough for me to jump on!
In case you haven't figured it out yet (or seen my Ravelry update), they are the French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi. They knit up quickly. Really quickly! Most people could probably get the knitting done in a day. The seaming wasn't so much fun, but then again you're listening to someone who will knit in the round at any and every chance. I got these done in 6 days which included a day of downtime for button shopping. Perfect match, I'd say!

I made them for my mother for Christmas. The strap came out shorter than I would have liked, and the toe area is much wider than I anticipated. But I know my mother will appreciate them for the hand knit love that they are. She is definitely knit worthy.

Braided Cable Handle Tote A Free Pattern!

Also available as a free Ravelry download.

An easy tote with braided cables that continue into the handles.
A perfect first cable or felting project.
Available in three sizes!

Finished Sizes:
Large: 13” wide x 9-1/2” high x 3” deep. Handle height is 10-1/2” from top of bag to shoulder.
Regular: 12” wide x 8-1/2” high x 2” deep. Handle height is 10” from top of bag to shoulder.
Mini: 11” wide x 7-1/2” high x 1-1/2” deep. Handle height is 9” from top of bag to shoulder.

Skill Level:
Advanced beginner
Gauge:
Not extremely important. This will be felted.
Yarn: about 450 yards of worsted weight feltable wool
as pictured: Patons Classic Wool in Sage, Black, Natural Mix
Materials:
US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 24" or 36" in length
US 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles
Cable needle
Markers in two colors
Stitches/abbreviations:
cn cable needle
dpn(s) double pointed needle(s)
k knit
p purl
sts stitches

Cable Abbreviations:
CF: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in front. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.
CB: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in back. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.

Pattern is written for Large(Regular, Mini) and worked with one strand of yarn.

Bag Base
Cast on 72(64, 56) sts.
Working in rows, knit in garter for 32(28, 20) rows.
At end of last row, do not turn.
Place marker, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place marker, pick up and knit 72(64, 56) sts, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place beginning of round marker. You now have 176(156, 132) sts. Markers are located at bag corners for reference.

Bag Body
Note: You may have to use dpn’s for a few rounds until you have enough room for the circular needle.
Round 1: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, pass marker, k16(14, 10), pass marker. Repeat from * for other side.
Rounds 2-4: Repeat round 1

Begin knitting in Bag Cable Pattern.

Bag Cable Pattern:

Round 1: *k4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 3: repeat row 2.
Round 4: repeat row 2.
Round 5: *k4, p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k32(30, 28), p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 6: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 7: repeat row 6.
Round 8: repeat row 6.

Knit Bag Cable Pattern for a total of 8 (7, 6) times.

Handle set-up rounds: (garter stitch rounds)
Round 1: *p4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: Repeat round 2 of cable pattern above.
Round 3: *p4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.

Bind off, removing markers as you go, as follows:
Round 4: Bind off stitches until you get to the two purl stitches of the cable pattern.
*Bind off first purl stitch, purl one stitch, knit across the cable, purl one stitch. Keep the live stitches on the needle and continue to bind off until you get to the purl stitches of the next cable pattern. Repeat from * until you have bound off all stitches. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch. Each handle should have 14(11, 8) stitches; your cable stitches and one purl stitch on either side.

You now have four handles on one circular needle.
Mark the first handle by placing a permanent stitch marker somewhere at the beginning of the handle below where you are working. This is for visual reference, so you know which one is handle 1.

I strongly suggest that you take a moment to wind your remaining yarn into four fairly equal balls. This is extremely important if you are making the large bag, as you will be knitting to the end of your yarn! It is very helpful for all of the sizes so that you can work on all four handles at the same time. That way you will be sure they are all the same size. I used four zipper bags and thread my yarn through a snipped corner to keep everything from getting tangled. They fit nicely inside the bag too!

From now on you will be working in rows.

Finish this cable repeat as follows:
Row 5: [handle 1] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Continue knitting the Handle Cable Pattern, remembering to change yarn with each handle.

Handle Cable Pattern:
Row 1: [handle 1] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 2] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 3] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 4] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Row 3: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: [handle 1] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Knit 9(8, 7) full cable repeats, not including the handle set-up round, or to your desired length (or until you are about to run out of yarn!).

Finishing
Row 1: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Repeat rows 1& 2 once.
Move handles 3&4 to another circular needle or holder.
Working with handles 1 and 2, make sure straps are not twisted. Kitchener stitch together.
Repeat for handles 3 and 4.
Weave in ends.

Felt carefully, checking often! Tug and pull out the braid sections in the handles and bag and check to make sure the handles have not felted themselves into a tube.
Block with an appropriate sized book wrapped in a plastic bag.

There are lots of felting tutorials out in cyberspace. If you still have questions or prefer one-on-one help feel free to comment, e-mail me, or contact me through Ravelry.

Post your pictures! If you are not on Ravelry, e-mail me a picture or send a link to your bag. I’d love to see it!

Cable charts are included in the Ravelry download. Contact me if you want them but are not a member of Ravelry.

Enjoy!

Braided Cable Handle Tote

by Amybelbags
amybelbags@gmail.com

This pattern is offered for personal use only. The pattern, photos, and products made from this pattern are not to be used or sold for personal monetary gain without the written consent of the designer. Do not copy, cut, or paste this pattern. Links back to this pattern are always welcomed.

My first KAL

One of my Ravelry friends and Fiber Friends is Anita. She sells her patterns here and on Ravelry. She even has a fan club on Rav (she's so lucky)! When she released her newest pattern for this felted Halloween Ghost, I immediately had to let her know how adorable he is.

(photo used with permission)

Anita thought it might be fun for our group to make him for a KAL. I had a little trouble finding white wool, since there isn't an LYS nearby. But I managed to pack up kidster #2 the other day when it was rainy and we took a drive. Thankfully he loves the car! I got myself some Galway and I'm just waiting for the fun to begin. I'm pretty sure everyone will finish it before me, but that's OK! If you are interested in joining us, check out our Ravelry group!

An answer for Vicki

All of you Blogger users know there is no good way to respond to comments folks leave. Bummer. Vicki had a question about yarn for felting, so I thought it would be good to repeat her question and my answer here.

Vicki said...
I love this bag [Around About]! I would like to make it in a yarn other than wool, though, as I am allergic to wool. Can you recommend another type of yarn I could use to get a similar, sturdy bag? Thank you!~Vicki

Amybel said...
Thanks Vicki!
In order to get yarn to felt it should be 100% natural animal fiber. No superwash, acrylic, cotton, etc. You could try Alpaca and see if you get an allergic reaction. Alpaca tends to be a little "furry" after felting, but it is very soft and should felt nicely (and you could always give it a haircut). I would recommend that you try to felt a sample swatch first just to make sure! You wouldn't want all that hard work to go down the drain (pun intended!). There are also wools blended with other animal fibers like llama or alpaca that might be less irritating to your allergy. Or, if you are not wallet constrained you could opt for higher end yarn like mohair or angora. Good luck! And let me know how you make out :)

Good luck Vicki, and keep in touch!