Stormy Sky II update

Well, things are moving along! I was able to get quite a bit of the sleeves done during a class I took the first week in February.

The first photo shows the more fitted version in wool (soon to be a cropped cardi) on top of the original Bamboo version. The Bamboo was oversized XL, the wool is a bit more fitted L. Also the Bamboo tends to stretch some with wear (and goes back to size when washed).

The second photo shows the sleeves in progress. I knit the cuffs separately and then joined and am working in the round-- two sleeves at once, one set of yarn. At the end, I will cut the steeks and sew an underarm seam. This is pretty sticky wool, so I'm not sure how much sewing I really "have" to do.

So the end is really in sight!

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Stormy Sky II

Well-- thought I'd try to motivate myself by posting my WIP. This is Stormy Sky II, the wool version of "Stormy Sky" which was done in 100% Bamboo. This one is done in Jamieson's Spindrift. The color work in the X O section is slightly altered due to the heathered colors I chose. The combination of dark grey and light blue didn't have enough contrast for my taste, so I switched them around somewhat.

Will be writing up the pattern and it will be available on the website as soon as I'm done knitting this up. Not too much farther on the body, then the sleeves, then steeking for the cardigan and knitting the front bands. Not sure how long that will take me.

Any wagers ?

(You can just see a corner of my Stormy Sky bag on the left. I'm using it as my project bag)

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C'est fini! Stormy Sky bag is done.

Well, it is done. I am really looking forward to using it. I have it loaded up now for the MS3 project and am waiting for lunch time to actually start.

I really like that I used a frame for the interior.... it means you get a really clear view of the pattern from both front and back.

The strap is also continuous, so you can adjust it to be just over one shoulder, or if you want, you can adjust it to fit diagonally across the body. I really like that flexibility.

I also put in what I'm calling a "Pattern holder". See the interior view (with the Aran Golf cap pattern in there). I have had a problem in the past with patterns falling all over inside the knitting tote and then you have to pull it out of the way to get to what you need.

Another side-effect of using the plastic canvas for the interior/frame, is that you can attach D-rings around the sides and then attach things to the D-rings. The detachable bag in the last photo is attached to a D-ring with a crab hook. The scissors are on one of those retractable holders for ID tags (found at Office Depot).

So much fun! but glad its done... itching to get to the Mystery Stole and a new way of attaching beads (for me).

(P.S. The knitting pattern for the bag is for sale now at my website Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design's shopping cart. Which btw has been very easy to add to and maintain so far, thanks Zen Cart!!)

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Stormy Sky Bag update

Well, I have about 25 rows left in the main part of the bag. I don't have my camera, otherwise I'd post the WIP... I let my son take the camera to Germany with him. Hope he's making use of it!

Now I'm trying to decide if I really need a knitted liner. A liner is definitely in order to cover the steek, but maybe I just use a nice either knit or nylon lining fabric. So the pattern would be combination of knitting and sewing. Steeking requires a sewing machine anyway. Especially with the slippery bamboo.

OK. Now I'm having a vision of an internal pocket/divider that is really a ribbed cylinder that then gets sewn in place.... hmmm. Liking that idea. And ribbing can go pretty fast. And it could be done on larger needles too.

So... finish the main piece, steek and sew liner to match. Knit ribbed cylinder, sew in place.
Yeah...

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A Stormy Sky Bag

I've decided to create a knitting bag from the same designs as the Stormy Sky sweater (c) 2007 Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design. (see links)

One of the main reasons is I have had to send the sweater off to TKGA and don't expect to get it back for several months. I miss it!

So stranded knitting for the outside of the bag, and plain for the inside. I'm designing it so that you knit in the round, and then "steek" for the openings for the bag. This should be a nice way to both practice steeking and to perhaps use up some of the left-over yarn.

The bamboo yarn I used for the Stormy Sky sweater comes on cones and the sweater doesn't use the same amount from each cone. So I had quite a bit of denim color used, but not much of some of the other colors. So I figure I can knit the outside to match, and then the inside can use some of the colors I have more of. So that should be good.

I was thinking of writing the pattern up to have two versions: 1 with a flap that would fold over to close the bag, and one without the flap. So I'm curious whether people would be interested in having a bag without flap v. one with.

I'm expecting this to be a project bag-- so a strap long enough to go over the shoulder, if not cross over... and the bag part large enough to hold 8-1/2" x 11" instructions as well as yarn and project...

Comments?

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