Little Cow Bag with Little Cow
Check out this little Posy Sock Sack I received in the mail Friday from Knitnana at Nana Sadie Rose. Isn’t this just the cutest thing?
I don’t live in Vermont or Wisconsin, but I do love cows. Which is maybe a little strange, now that I think about it, because my Mama was terrified of cows. She told me once that when she was a little girl she used to have nightmares about her neighbor’s cow, Bossy. In Mama’s dreams, Bossy, with gnashing teeth and flared nostrils, was chasing her across the field. And Mama knew, in her dream, that if Bossy caught her she would be eaten. Some cow, eh? Wonder if Bossy’s milk was pre-curdled? But I digress.
I love cows. And so when I saw this bag over on Knitnana’s blog I immediately emailed and asked for one just like it. And doesn’t one of my mini-herd of little cow tape measures look just perfect with this bag?
In the picture, you can just see the interior fabric of the bag. Yep. It’s cow spots! And flannel, so it’s soft on needles and accessories. Inside there are four slim pockets for DPNs or crochet hooks, and a larger pocket that’s perfect for Little Cow.
The Posy Sock Sack is just the right size for any small project — socks or mittens or a hat. It has one strap that can be slung over your shoulder like a backpack. And it’s washable. What more could you ask for?
Sheryl asks:
I would love to knit a shawl for my mother in law. Could you suggest a pattern and yarn for a first time lace knitter. Simple as possible, please.
I would suggest something like Wendy Johnson’s Fir Cone Wrap pattern. This pattern uses the most common laces stitches, so you will get a feel for knitting lace. But it’s a relatively uncomplicated, over-all pattern, so it will be easier to see how the lace is actually constructed. It has a very nice garter-stitch border that is knit at the same time as the lace.
Wendy knit hers from Seasilk, a lovely yarn to work with. But I would suggest substituting a wool or wool-blend for a first-time lace knit. Wool, because it’s has more give, is a little more forgiving than silk. It’s also not as slick and stays on the needles better.
The blocked dimensions of this wrap are 25″ x 66″ — a pretty decent size for a wrap. But you could make a larger one by adding more pattern repeats. Go look at the chart included in the pattern (I’ll wait right here while you look). See how the middle section of the chart is a 10-stitch pattern repeat? To make your wrap wider, cast on more stitches. Just make sure that the extra stitches cast on are in multiples of 10 — 10 or 20 or 30. Then knit the 10-stitch repeat over those extra stitches every row. To make your wrap longer, repeat the 16 rows of the chart a few extra times until your wrap is as long as you want it. Remember that it will grow when you block it! Check the unblocked vs. blocked dimensions given in the pattern to see this in action. And wool will block out larger than the Seasilk did.
Also remember that if you make your wrap bigger, you will need more yarn. Plan accordingly. 😉
For a really wonderful how to reference, it’s hard to beat Eunny Jang’s Majoring In Lace tutorial. It’s very comprehensive and covers lace from how to match needles to yarn, to how shawls are constructed.
And now a tiny bit of own-horn tooting. 😳
Cat Bordhi’s new book New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One, is being released on August 1st. Finally!
I had the privilege of exploring a couple of Cat’s new sock architectures at the Magical Moebius Workshop I attended last spring. They are marvelous and wonderful and magical. I can’t wait to see this book and the two volumes that follow. Cat’s brain works in strange and mysterious ways, and I know that she has come up with wonders and adventures for sock knitters everywhere.
Cat Bordhi’s Portland book signing
Blue Moon Fiber Arts is hosting a little book reception for Cat at the World Forestry Center (over by the Zoo) on August 17th, 7-11 PM. That’s a Friday, but if you want to check your calendar, I’ll wait right here.
If you are anywhere within striking distance, please plan on attending. I think it’s going to be loads of fun. Cat will be talking about her knitting adventures, and will have samples of socks from the new book. Cat is a hoot, and I have seen her socks and they are wonders to behold. Come and show Cat how enthusiastic Northwest knitters are!
Isn’t it perfect that Blue Moon, the lovely ladies that bring us Socks That Rock and other marvelous yarns, is hosting? Perfect!
And now, the tiny little bit of self-horn-tooting: It might be that a blogger you know has a wee mention in Cat’s new book. Something about a Magic Cast-On. 😉 (It’s as close to fame as I am ever likely to get!)
MOO! What a cute bag! Of course now you know that you’ll be constantly regaled with cow-related gifts, right? 😈
I hope to make it to Cat’s event at the WFC. I have one of her books (Socks Soar on Two Needles), but haven’t used it much. But even if I never get enamoured of the two-circular-needle approach to socks, I do love her creativity with techniques. Besides, any excuse to party with knitters is a good thing! 😆
Congrats on the “possible mention” in the book. You deserve it! 😎
1Remark from Cindy in Oregon — Sunday, 7/29/2007 @ 11:44 AM
The parts that I’ve see of Cat’s new book show two-circs, magic loop and DPN techniques. So whatever your poison, I think she has it covered.
Besides… it’s a party! And it’s Blue Moon! And knitters!
2Remark from Judy — Sunday, 7/29/2007 @ 2:36 PM
The bags are awesome!
And , BTW, I found your blog from a link to the magic cast-on. I’m going to try it, eventually. My Mom said she doesn’t like the Wendy Knits Toe Up Sock, but she likes that one.
3Remark from Sally Villarreal — Sunday, 7/29/2007 @ 3:32 PM
I’m delighted you like that little cow bag! It was so much fun to make…that tape measure is perfect for it!
4(oh, and I do know you don’t HAVE to live in VT or WI to love cows…of course!)
(((hugs)))
Remark from Knitnana — Sunday, 7/29/2007 @ 5:08 PM
Adorable bag! And go, you for getting mentioned – as well you should be! I’ll be at the book signing, if only to soak up some of Cat’s amazing view of the world and knitting.
5Remark from Kathy — Sunday, 7/29/2007 @ 5:48 PM
Thank you for the pattern and the link to to lace instruction. I can’t wait to start it.
6The pattern will give me a good excuse (like I really need one) to go see what they have at my LYS. I am working on a pair of lt. blue wool socks and I need some woolly nylon for reinforcement of the heel area (good excuse).
I love bag….so cute. I bought a sock bag from a seller on esty.com. It is great to have everything in one place especially to grab it and go. My little sock bag fits in my purse so I can knit any time… lol… one time I pulled my sock out and knitted while I was waiting in line at the bank. Sorry to say, I didn’t get much knitting done for all the “what are you doing? and what is that? question.
Sheryl
Remark from Sheryl — Monday, 7/30/2007 @ 10:33 AM
Kudos on the mention in Cat’s book! If I stand next to you at WTF, will some of your famousness rub off onto me? 😆
7Remark from Bobbie — Monday, 7/30/2007 @ 12:47 PM
Oh, sure! I have plenty to spare. 🙄 (I’m spraining my eyeballs with rolling them over here.)
By the way, I think you meant “WFC.” The term “WTF” has different connotations for me involving certain 4-letter F words. ❓
8Remark from Judy — Monday, 7/30/2007 @ 3:17 PM
Here I’ve been womanfully resisting things like new tape measures, then you have to show not only your cute new sock bag, but your cow tape measure, and now I want one! Sheesh! (Well, ok, all of mine are ancient, and probably totally not accurate any more, so… Oh, dear.) And hey, we may not be Vermont or Wisconsin, but what about Tillamook, huh? Cheese of the Gods? Ice cream ditto? See? We have Holsteins too. [g]
Ok, you’re going to have to give a report on Cat’s reception, please, ’cause busing back at 11 p.m. is a wee bit late for me, even taking MAX. I’ll probably have to satisfy myself with the book. Gee; what a fate. 😉
9Remark from MonicaPDX — Tuesday, 7/31/2007 @ 6:55 AM
OH my gosh, Sara loves cows! She will love to see that bag.
10Remark from LeAnne — Tuesday, 7/31/2007 @ 7:50 AM
Thanks for the new CB book head up, I had no idea another one was in the pipeline…
11Remark from Heather — Tuesday, 7/31/2007 @ 8:43 PM
I want to go on the 17th – Will be in PDX the 14-16th – taking DD to see the Bodies exhibit at OMSI and do the final school shopping trip. Wish I could stay longer! I saw that Bluemoon is introducing a new line – The Raven Series? Sounds dark and interesting!
12Remark from julie — Thursday, 8/2/2007 @ 6:48 PM
Congrats on having your cast-on technique mentioned in Cat’s new book. It is definitely not surprising since it’s the BEST cast-on ever!!
13Remark from ~Kristie — Wednesday, 8/29/2007 @ 12:54 PM