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| A lapful of knitting |
It was a blissful October afternoon. A sprinkling of clouds, abundant sunshine, and a breeze that subtly shifted from a little cool to a little warm throughout the day. And for two incredible hours, Emmett napped, Finn tossed a football around the backyard (supported by my whoops and hollers), and I sat on the back porch watching Finn and working on the yoga mat bag. None too soon, as we were scheduled to stop by Patty's house to say goodbye that evening, and I was determined to have the mat done to give to her. The last minute magic worked, as my children were happy, my fingers nimble, and, by dinner time, the bag was complete.
As mentioned in my previous post on the topic, this pattern comes from Joelle Hoverson's book Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The finished length of the project was 48". I had no idea how long it would take to get to 48", even using size 10 1/2 needles, and I've been slowly working on this project all summer and into the fall. The pattern is essentially a great big bag with a big wide strap and, when finished, it looks like it would hold a yoga mat for an ogre.
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| Finn and 48" of unfelted yoga mat bag |
I loved this project because I didn't have to pay a whole lot of attention to what I was doing; after deciding what colors I was going to use, I could change the yarn whenever I felt (ha!) like it. I wanted playful, sunny colors and was able to find exactly what I needed in my yarn stash.
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| Pre-felting |
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| Post-felting |
I felted the bag in my front-loading washing machine; it took about twenty-five minutes total and I checked it every five minutes. Once complete, it was the perfect size for a yoga mat.
It makes me so happy to think of this mat accompanying Patty on her journey west. She loved it, even if it was still a little damp...hopefully it'll dry out by the time she gets there!
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Beautiful! I have never had any luck with felting, but its probably mostly because I'm not a very good knitter and not had a lot of luck with ANY knitting. hehe. Congrats on your "debut"!
ReplyDeleteFelting is perfect if you're not a confident knitter...it's very forgiving!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely Hope. I am a lapsed knitter--I used to work in a knitting store; I have tons of yarn; I have the skills but not the time. You will be my inspiration to finish the sweater I started for Dan when he was a freshman at Grinnell.
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You're my favorite knitter! And besides the knitted hat you made for me years ago with the most aptly chosen words "Alpha Male" adorning the front, it is my favorite project of yours.
ReplyDeleteSean
Beautiful beautiful beautiful. This is great!!!! You bring your light and hope on internet now! :) <3
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Great blog Hope! I can only admire people that sew and knit from afar, but I will definitely be trying out some of your recipes. Also, if you have a chance, check out Cook's magazine. I love it! It does give the science behind what you are cooking, but it also really works at simplifying and perfecting recipes. My best Caesar salad and pea soup are from Cook's. Maybe in a few years you will be publishing as the next Prairie Wife!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Czwodzinski
Hope! Great blog. And beautiful knitting. :)
ReplyDeleteIs there any way I can get the directions to this pattern without buying the whole book? I just want to make the yoga mat bag.
ReplyDeletethanks
Is there any way I can get the directions to this pattern without buying the whole book? I just want to make the yoga mat bag.
ReplyDeletethanks
Is there any way I can get the directions to this pattern without buying the whole book? I just want to make the yoga mat bag.
ReplyDeletethanks
Hi Patti - I can't share the pattern without infringing on the copyright of the author...I would recommend seeing if you can get it at your public library. That is where I first saw it - I checked it out and liked it so much I bought it! Even if your branch doesn't have it, you may be able to interlibrary loan it. Good luck!
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