Post on 15-Jul-2020
transcript
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LITTLE BAGS WITH HUGE POSSIBILITIES
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‘Tis the season for investing only a little time but reaping huge gift-giving results.
Enter the festive little ornamental gift bag, small enough to knit quickly, festive
enough to look very special as a gift, and fun to knit. For a daughter, how about an
iPod cover?, for a friend, how about an evening clutch?, for a mother, how about an
eyeglass case?, and, for you, well, why not? These little bags lend themselves to a
multitude of variations in terms of size and shape. The smaller ones can be knit in
an evening but you probably won’t want to just knit one.
All bags have been worked in k2p2 Fair Isle rib to give the bags bones while
simultaneously creating an interesting, almost mosaic-like, surface that
accommodates virtually any kind of worsted-weight yarn. Double up thinner yarns
or blend two different yarns together – experiment!
Not comfortable with Fair Isle rib? Try working a swatch and using
Knittinghelp.com for guidance. It’s free and very helpful. The key, however, is to
work two different yarns at a time, one color for purls, one color for knits, while
carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work and catching the yarn in a loop
in as even a tension as possible. It may take a bit of practice but the mosaic-like
results are well worth the effort.
DIMENSIONS
The design for each bag is basically the same in terms in that each uses knit and
purl ribbing but I’ve illustrated and given directions for two main sizes hoping you’ll
catch on to how to enlarge or adjust the pattern for your own needs. Though I
rarely use swatching, such preparation could be useful here to get a sense of the
dimensions of your own concoction of yarns. Then it’s simply a matter of gauging
the number of cast-on stitches necessary to create your preferred width. Length
is simple because all that’s necessary is to knit until you’ve reached desired length
while factoring in that each purse is essentially one long piece of knitting folded in
half with a flap.
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STASHINGS
These bags beg to be
festive. A little sparkle, a
little light-catching
luminescence, and you’ve
maximized their ornamental
appeal. Though any possible
yarn combination can be
used, consider giving your
bags a bit of backbone with
at least one crisp ribbon.
Many yarn manufacturers
and designers carry a ribbon designed to look like a diva while performing like a
beast of burden.
Crispy ribbons with good B.O.B potential include Judi&Co’s Luminesse, a sturdy
rayon with bands of twinkling lurex as well as many of her other varieties. Since
Judi originally designed her ribbons for bag-making, their hand-dyed loveliness
come with a sturdy hand. As of this writing, Noble Knits has a good selection of
Judi’s masterpieces.
For a more economical option, consider Louisa Harding’s Suri ribbon which has the
same luxe look without a hefty price tag. Other ribbons to include are the silky,
glossy ones like Trendsetter Segue or BagSmith’s hand-dyed silk versions, both
available at Yarnmarket.com. Whatever your choice, ribbons can be found at every
price.
Along with your diva ribbon, consider balancing a mix of matt and gloss yarns among
the diva ribbons’ supporting players. I’ve used wool, mohair, silk, cotton and even
cashmere. Truly, the real issue here is color more so than fiber and since only small
quantities are needed, here’s a chance to use your stash.
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COLOR
Chances are you have favorite colors with bits and balls of yarn in these hues
hanging around your stash. Pull them out and put them in a basket to observe for
awhile. It’s very likely that at least half of everything cohabits well with
everything else. Consider building on these hues for your bags and maybe only
adding a ribbon if need be.
The bags shown focus on different shades of two or three colours all in the same
medium tone. For instance, the iPod/Blackberry/eyeglass case features purple,
turquoise and green with slight variations as a result of the yarns’ hand-dyed
personality. All the colors selected, however, remain in the same mid-tone family
with no lights and brights.
Though I’ve kept the color story subtle, you can make yours pop with electric hues
or slink into evening sophistication with black. Choosing your yarns is half the fun
but, if you find this part makes your teeth ache, consider emailing my friend,
Jackie, who has a yarn store in her house and works with me to supply custom kits
for knitters working on my designs. She can be reached at jg22622@aol.com and
would be happy to put together a kit for you.
EMBELLISHMENT
I’ve never met a bag that did thrill to a little fancying up. Since these are
ornamental bags, no need to keep their lights dimmed. Consider a gorgeous button
for closure or a glittery bead for the end of a flap. Beading with seed beads along
the ribs’ grooves could certainly enhance sparkle and intrigue as could applying a
crocheted or knitted flower (Nicki Epstein has the best garden here). There’s
simply no end to the possibilities.
BAG ONE: The iPod/Blackberry/cell phone/eyeglass case/ evening pouch bag
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A little bag nests in the cedar fronds
Materials
1 set of size 6mm/US 10 straight needles
Tapestry needle
Beads if desired
Measurements
The version pictured measures 6”/15cm deep with a 4”/10cm flap. Before folding,
the piece measures 18”/46 cm.
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Stashlings
The exact yarns I used include small quantities (less than 1/8 of a hank) each of:
Judi&Co’s Luminesse in Purple Orchid
BagSmith’s Emerald silk
Fiesta’s Starlight LaBoheme in Clematis
Fleece Artists silk&wool blend in turquoise
Judi&Co ¼ inch rayon in Pine
Judi&Co. Curly Black ribbon in Moss
Berocco’s Softwist in violet
*With the exception of Judi&Co, most of these yarns are available at Yarnmarket.com.
Plan your color selection in terms of alternating the two main shades across each
row in ribs of knit and purl. For example, I’d knit two stitches in purple and then
change to turquoise for the two purls, alternation the two yarns across each row.
Tailor this little pouch to whatever shape you want. Mine is just big enough to give
my i-phone a safe and stylish nest and my favorite beads a luxurious home but a
few less cast-on stitches would create an equally lovely eyeglass case.
Step One
Decide what kind of shape you’d prefer: long and narrow (eyeglass), a chubby
rectangle as per the i-phone/bead case shown or an entirely different shape
according to preference. Use the following gauge for cast-on calculation (or make
your own swatch): approximately 4 stitches per inch worked over k2p2 using
alternating ribbon and worsted-weight yarn.
With the first yarn, preferably a sturdy wool or cotton, cast on your
required number of stitches. For my bag, I used 20 stitches. An eyeglass
case would probably take 12.
Knit 1 row.
On 2nd row, add in a second color, preferably a ribbon alternated by the yarn
you began with, to begin k2p2 rib.
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Repeat this k2p2 pattern in these colors for 5 rows, making sure that
stitches knit on the reverse are purled on the right side and stitches purled
on the reverse are knit on the right side so that you are creating textured
stripes in your work.
Change yarns, experimenting with different yarn combinations for your knits
and purls. By alternating glossy yarns with those with more texture, you’ll
create surface interest. Work in groups 5 rows each while changing yarns
and textures until within four inches of your desired length. End final group
with ribbon yarns.
Begin binding off one stitch at the beginning of every row to make the
pointed flap. When down to the last stitch, cut both yarns and draw the tails
through the final loop, tugging to secure.
FINISHING
Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Depending on how adept you are at Fair
Isle, this part will be either a minor matter or a task best done with a cup of
tea in a favorite chair.
Press lightly with the steam setting.
Lining
I lined my bag with an old silk scarf though
satin, velvet or even cotton would work well.
Remember that the sturdier the lining, the
sturdier the bag.
To begin, lay your pressed knitting on
top of the lining fabric and cut
around the outside edges.
Fold down approximately ½ inch/1 cm
around the edges and press gently.
Arrange your knitting wrong side up
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and place the folded lining right-side up on top. Sew in place all around the
edges using small stitches.
Sew together
Fold the bag inside out with sides together and sew together sides, reinforcing
corners on either side of the flap. Turn right-side out and press again gently.
Tuck Band
The tuck band is the band that crosses the front of your pouch to secure the flap.
These can be as elaborate as you choose, from fancy embroidered ribbons to
beaded bands to the simple two ribbons I used here. You could even knit your band.
Embellishment
Feel like beading your pointy end? The results really lift this bag to a whole new
level. Word of warning, however: if your bag plans to be slipping in and out of other
purses, those beads could become an inhibition. For an evening pouch, on the other
hand, the beaded point is a perfect idea.
Add a bead to the pointed end, use beading or regular thread. Secure the
chosen bead by bringing the needle up through the point before making tiny
anchoring stitches followed by a knot to secure.
Or, use a big-holed bead as I have and draw the yarn tails through the hole
and tie a knot under the bead to secure.
Straps
For the evening bag option, straps are an option. Use either purchased cording or
make your own i-cord as follows:
Using double-pointed needles:
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Cast on 3 stitches and knit to the end of the row.
Without turning your work, slide stitches back to beginning of needle and
knit back across
Repeat until cord reaches desired length.
Bind off until one stitch remains on the needle.
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail before slipping loop from the needle and
drawing the tail through loop. Pull tail to secure.
BAG TWO: Ornamental Clutch
Ornament Clutch posing with Japanese Maple
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Materials
1 set of size 5mm/US 8 straight needles
Tapestry needle
1 ornamental button
Beads if desired
Measurements
The version pictured measures 14”/36 cm deep with a 5”/13 cm flap for a total
length of 21”/53 cm.
Stashlings
As with the smaller bag, look for a mix of sleek and grassy textures such as
ribbons and mohairs, tapes and silks/cottons, with a touch of sparkle. Knit two
strands together of your thinner yarns to maximize the hand: these bags benefit
from knitting thick on thinner-than-usually-recommended needles, in this case
5mm. For instance, I doubled my silk with the Dune mohair.
The exact yarns I used include small quantities (with one exception, less than 1/8
of a hank) each of:
¼ hank Judi&Co’s Luminesse in Tortoise or try Louisa Hardings Sari ribbon in
color 20, a near-perfect match
Tili Tomas Pure&Simple in Ginger
Great Adriondack’s Chamois in Paprika
Trendsetter Segue ribbon in Moss
Trendsetter Dune in copper/moss
Curious Creek’s Kalahari in Savanna Grasses
Curious Creek’s Oban in Savanna Grasses
Curious Creek’s Etosha in Savanna Grasses
Patagonia hand-dyed chunky cotton (now extinct) in green
Colinette Giotto in Lichen
Fleece Artist Double Sea Silk in bronze
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Instructions
With any sturdy yarn (I used Colinette Giotto), cast on your preferred number of
stitches. I cast on 38 for the dimensions described above.
Row 1: Knit 1 row
Rows 2-12: Add in another yarn in a contrasting shade to the first. Here, I’m
using browns and greens so the yarn I chose for the alternating purls is the
Patagonia cotton in moss green. Begin K2P2 rib, keeping the first yarn for
the knits and the second yarn for all the purls to create the colored ribbing
featured in the design. Carry the unused yarn behind your work, Fair Isle
style, keeping tension even and looping the used yarn in the loops (see photo).
Repeat this k2p2 pattern in these colors for 10 rows, making sure that
stitches knit on the reverse are purled on the right side and stitches purled
on the reverse are knit on the right side so that you are creating textured
stripes in your work.
Rows 13-63 (or to length desired): Repeat this k2p2 pattern, changing yarn
groupings every 10 rows. Experiment with different yarn combinations for
your knits and purls. Alternating glossy yarns with more textured varieties
increases surface interest.
Row 64 (or to within 3 inches of the end and well into the flap): begin
changing yarns every 5th row and make a buttonhole large enough for your
chosen closure midway across (I bound off 8 stitches to accommodate my
choice).
Rows 65-: Continue working one last group of 5 stitches before knitting a
final row in a single color and binding off.
Finishing
Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Depending on how adept you are at Fair
Isle, this part will be either a minor matter or a task best done with a cup of
tea in a favorite chair.
Press lightly with the steam setting.
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Lining
I lined my bag with a piece of velvet though satin, silk or even cotton would work
well. Remember that the sturdier the lining, the sturdier the bag. If making straps,
affix straps BEFORE completing lining.
To begin, lay your pressed knitting on top of the lining fabric and cut around
the outside edges.
Fold down approximately ½ inch/1 cm around the edges and press gently.
Arrange your knitting wrong side up and place the folded lining right-side up
on top. Sew in place all around the edges using small stitches.
Sew together
Fold the bag inside out with sides together so that you have an overhanging flap
approximately 5” long. Sew together sides below the flap, reinforcing corners on
either side. Turn right-side out and press again gently.
*Straps (apply before lining)
If you choose to change your clutch to a shoulder bag, either purchase cording or
make your own i-cord as follows:
Using double-pointed needles:
Cast on 3 stitches and knit to the end of the row.
Without turning your work, slide stitches back to beginning of needle and
knit back across
Repeat until cord reaches desired length.
Bind off until one stitch remains on the needle.
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail before slipping loop from the needle and
drawing the tail through loop. Pull tail to secure.
To attach the straps, sew each end as invisibly as possible to either corner of the
bag just above the flap. If you find this cause the bag to sag in the middle,
consider knitting a reinforcing band 1.5” wide equally the width of the bag which
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slips under the flap between the lining and the bag and sewn into place. By
attaching the cords or straps to this reinforcement instead of the bag directly,
the bag will better hold its shape.
A little pouch for jewels…
*PLEASE CHECK JANETHORNLEY.COM FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
INFORMATION FOR THIS OR ANY OF MY PATTERNS OR EMAIL
ME AT JANE@JANETHORNLEY.COM.
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