Cat in a Basket!

I finally have a photo of a cat in my knitted cat bed enjoying it! Huff is our model. He and his 3 other housemates love this thing. This basket was felted using Lion's Landscape Yarn and topped with Fun Fur. It's a great yarn for this project with one caveat. The sides just won't remain stable. They wobble over. While filled with one 16 pound cat, it is not obvious. On the other hand, the cats don't care as they sleep on it whatever way it's laying there (and flip it over sometimes as well). The advantages of this basket is that it is machine washable, but I would put it over a round shape to dry. I actually finished this bed in May, just didn't have a good kitty photo of it. Instructions and gallery are available here: http://wendyknits.net/knit/kittybed.htm


I've finished half the blocks for the Depression Quilt. Since the weather is holding up, I will be going to my folks for Christmas, so am not likely to finish it this weekend. I did go on a journey to Brainerd today and bought backing and binding. Alas, I forgot both batting and pearl cotton. Here's a photo of the sewing area my sister set up. Yes, tunes are within easy reach! On the right is a table she bought at a hardware store-really nice wide sewing area and it is stable! There is a clamp light to light the area just behind the sewing machine so there are no shadows. The ironing board is directly on my left. You'll note that I'm using a clear lid from a container across the ironing board and table. I work on this piece and use the block on the ironing board for my leaders and enders. My example block is actually under that lid. Not seen is the large cutting table to the left of the ironing board. For lighting, she is using the greenhouse light she uses in Spring to start cuttings. You have to be somewhat careful-you can get sunburned-but the lighting can't be beat! My sister does not quilt-she makes costumes and doll clothing, so that daylight lamp lighting is pretty crucial for her work.

Knitting Bag Done

While still listening to the latest Harry Potter audio book, I managed to finish yet another project; this time a knitted one. I finished the knitting and felting on this knitting bag last year and just needed to attach the pockets and handles. I'm not really satisfied with how I did the handles, so plan to pull them out and rethread again. The pattern is My Constant Companion and is a knitting bag featured in the book, Knitters Stash, which contains knitting patterns from shops all over the US. You can also buy the pattern individually from the designer (http://www.knitkit.com/). I have and plan to try out a couple of her other bag patterns include Mezza luna (a crescent shaped bag) and the Oregon Tote (smaller and squarish). Both are felted.

See how the handles tangle funny? I think it's my threading that is doing it, but I needed to post a photo!


My particular bag is made from Cascade 220 (purple) and Lamb's Pride Bulky (pink - adds a fuzzy texture for interest). I did have to trim my pockets as they just wouldn't square up after felting. I used regular Coats and Clark thread to attach the front pocket and the inner pocket. Next time, I will use a more substantial needle as mine bent. I am missing one pocket (a long one intended to hold double pointed needles), so when I find that, I will add it to the inside.

Since I rarely buy knitting books, I thought I would review this a bit. Mine is the original hardcover version. Contains a variety of patterns from shops all over US-adult sweaters, both long and sleeveless, a couple of children's items, a very interesting tea cozy, a rug, felted fish and a pillow among them. These are often the most popular selling pattern at the specific shop. Now, the knitting bag is what got me to buy the book, but the sweaters are also an attraction. They tend to be more sophisticated without being too trendy. Many of the featured items use more expensive yarns, however, you can substitute. This book assumes that you are an experienced knitter, so I don't recommend it for beginners.


The paperback version is available at Amazon.com along with more reviews. One reviewer mentioned that there was a substantial listing of errata for this book. I checked, and yes, it looks that way, but the majority of the errors are minor. Here's a link to those changes: http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/be_knitters_stash.asp
I should comment about the reviewers at Amazon who reviewed this book. The majority who did not like the book were either beginning knitters or prefer a style or project not represented in this book. To complain that the name of the book indicates that the book features scrap patterns is your first clue. One legitimate complaint is that there wasn't more information on the specific yarns so that substitutions can be made 10 years from now. However, that complaint is minor because gauge is included in every pattern.