Speed Knitting

So I came across the Sexy Knitters Club (see link at the side) and found that they are a group that does KALs! I find that very exciting and a lot of fun that there are so many people out there working on the same project at the same time. I really enjoyed looking at past projects and pics of FOs. My question is this...How do they/you knit projects so quickly?!?! I see pitures of projects that were cast on and finished in about a week. My most recent project attempt is "Marlo" from Black Purl knits. I cast on about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks ago and am only 3.5 " into the first 7" of ribbing with the most complicated part, the cables at the edges of the sleeves to go. The pattern in not written to be done on circular needles, but I am knitting the body to the arm holes as such, hoping to save time. Apparently not! I wrote about this in my last post, and am giving myself a deadline! Hopefully, I will meet the deadline and be able to wear it to the event I am planning on wearing it to.

I try to knit at least 2 hours per day, but as we all know, this doesn't always happen. I am just in a frustrated mood, because, again, as I stated in my last post, I have a hard time finishing projects. A member of my knitting circle told me that I was a process knitter, not a project knitter, but I want to be a project knitter and have something to show for my time and energy! Humpf!! Well, off I go...hoping to gain at least an inch or two on my sweater.

Knitting ADD

I have spoken to other people through forums on knitting and am finding that summer is definitely a time for "Knitting ADD." I am finding that this occurs for me not only in the summer, but throughout all seasons. I have completely disregarded patterns only to cast on and start something new, and becoming completely commited to them, until.....something new comes along. I have about 5 knitting WIPs and 1 crochet WIP. I give my crochet abandonment the excuse that because it is an afghan, and it is summer, it is ok to ignore. But what about my socks? What about the sleeveless sweater, and now my new project, that I will not give details about because it is for a family member. Plus a dishcloth, a shawl, and a Prayer Shawl for my Prayer Shawl Ministry group.

So, I have decided to give myself deadlines. I have 2 weeks to finish the sleeveless sweater, because I want to wear it to some grad school homecoming festivities. I am giving the new project 3 weeks to completion...as the family member and I will be seeing each other. My sock...I feel that has no hope...but that's ok. I still have the match to make, so my deadline for the socks will be set once the first two are met.

Speaking of socks...I have learned to knit them on dnps. I would like to learn 2 circs or Magic loop technique. Perhaps I will knit the mate to my sock in progress on 2 circs. These socks are for me, so if the gauge is different, of I make mistakes, that is ok. I have 3 pairs of socks to make for gifts, and think that making them on 2 circs, 2 socks together might make it go faster. Hmmm...yet another challenge to my deadline. I will be posting pics of projcets and the progress on my deadlines.

Oh here we go...focus now!!!

Sari Silk Handbag - My First Design/Pattern!

Here is my my Sari Silk Handbag. I found this silk at my LYS and wanted to buy all 6 skeins. I couldn't decide which I liked best, so I bought 3 and decided that the best way to showcase this beautiful yarn was to make a handbag for everyone to see!! I borrowed some general concepts of this pattern from other handbag patterns I have seen. You can modify the pattern to make the bag smaller or larger, but please do not take credit for it. Thanks!




Sari Silk Handbag

Materials: I am not sure of the yardage I used, but you could probably make this from one 50g skein of yarn.
16" circular needles, US 8
US 13 needles
Fabric for lining
"Stitch Witchery" Fabric bonder
Set of purse handles (I bought both black wooden and bamboo--I preferred the black wooden)

Gauge: Doesn't matter as the silk changes gauge throughout the skein, and you can modify the needle size to make the fabric looser or tighter

Cast on 35 stitches with size 8 needle.
K all rows for approx. 30 rows, or until piece is as large as you want the bottom to be

Do not bind off last row. Turn corner and begin to pu stitches. PU 1 stitch every other row, and 1 stitch every stitch on the cast on edge. PM at each corner to keep track of front, back, and sides of purse.

Join. K all rounds until the purse reaches desired length.

Begin next round by BO first 5 st on one of the long sides, knit middle 25 stitches onto size 13 needles, place on a holder. Continue to BO last 5 st of long side. BO all short side st and first 5 st of second long side. K middle 25 st onto size 13 needles. BO last 5 st. Weave in end. Place second set of middle st onto holder.

You can continue by knitting the handle wraps, or by sewing the lining. I chose to sew in the lining before finishing the handle wraps and sewing the handles in.

Lining:

Lay knit handbag flat onto a piece of paper, trace around the outline of the purse. Cut out tracing. Place cut out on fabric and trace around it, this will be your guide lines for sewing the seams. When you cut out the fabric, leave 1/2" for seaming and hemming purposes. You can trim it down later.

I used a satiny fabric for my lining, and it frays pretty easily. So I used Stitch Witchery fabric bonding tape prior to sewing my seams to give the fabric some sturdiness. I also used the bonding tape only for my hem, as I was going to be stitching it by hand into my hand bag. I used some contrasting fabric for my pocket, and as I do not have a sewing machine, simply cheated and used the stitch witchery to bond the pocket to the lining. It's pretty sturdy!

Sew your lining into your hand bag.

Handles:
Knit on US 13 needles. Knit off the stitch holder, and continue in garter st for approx 10 rows, or until the flap is long enough to sew around the handle. BO. Fold the flap down over the flat part of the handle, and sew in place. Repeat on other side.

Finishing:

As I used 3 different skeins, and alternated every few rows, I just pulled my ends through to the inside of the purse, and sewed my lining in without weaving the ends. If you can't do that, weave in the ends and enjoy your beautiful new hand bag.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this pattern. I didn't write things down as I went, and this is the first pattern that I have actually translated from my head to paper (or blog). I appreciate any constructive criticism.