At A Savings Of $42...

I made this hat that's very similar to one that sells (or sold) for about $50 at Banana Republic. Spending about $8 on yarn and using needles I had (plus a spare button from a sweater I don't even have anymore), I made the same hat in a different color. From a pattern I found online. Huzzah.

DS Case Pattern

OK, this is the first time I've written a pattern, so here's hoping it's understandable.

Liza’s Groovy Striped DS Case

Materials:
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick N Quick
1 skein each: sky blue, fig, lemongrass
US size 11 straight needles
Tapestry/sewing needle

Gauge:
10 stitches and 6 rows = 3” X 2” (approx. 3 stitches and 3 rows per inch)

Directions:
Main Pouch:
CO 20 stitches in fig
Knit 2 rows st st
Switch to sky blue*
Knit 2 rows st st
Switch to lemongrass
Knit 2 rows st st
Repeat pattern, knitting in st st for 2 rows in each color until approx. 12” long (should wrap around DS comfortable 3 times), for me this was 42 rows.
BO with last color (should be lemongrass)
Fold so that the DS is covered fully on both sides, with the remaining left as a flap (where you will add game pockets), sew up sides.
Game Pouch:
CO 20 stitches in fig
Knit in st st switching colors every row (you will k 1 row fig, p 1 row sky blue, etc) until the pockets fit a DS game lengthwise, for me this was 6 rows.
BO with last color (I switched the order to fig, lemongrass, sky blue for this part)
Sew the pouch on so it is in line with the edge of the case.
Sew 3 seams evenly spaced from the top to bottom of the pocket, making 4 game pockets - use a game cartridge to measure if you want (I sewed one seam in each color, but it doesn’t really matter since you can’t see them)
Strap:
Take 3 even pieces of each color yarn long enough to wrap around the closed case several (at least 4 or 5) times.
Tie a knot at the end and braid until it is long enough to wrap around 3 times with enough room (an inch or two) to tuck the end in to fasten it, tie the braid off.
Tie or sew one end of the braid to the center of the flap.


*since it’s only 2 rows, you can carry the yarn up the side of the case instead of cutting and tying every time you switch colors

Nintendo DS Case!

I wanted to make a case for my Nintendo DS, but I couldn't find a good pattern online. So I made something up:







I'll write out the pattern when I'm feeling more ambitious. And less hungry.

Finished Dog Sweater

Ta-da!

On Deck.

Next up, a dog sweater.

Yes, Stitch n Bitch. Like I can afford a new book?

All Done!

Well, except I have to buy two snaps and attach them. Minor detail.



Huzzah!

update: I'm probably not going to put the snaps on it.

Mas Pursage

The orange body, completed:



Avec pink:



The whole main purse part:



Pink handle:



Beginning of the pouch:



It's felting right now, pictures when it's done.

Commentary

I like to knit on the subway with punk rock blasting from my iPod.

When you knit on the subway you have an audience. And when you look up everyone acts like they weren't watching you, even though you could feel their eyes. It's kind of fun.

No pictures right now. I have about 2" of purse sides. Wooooooo.

Purse Bottom

The sides have to be 10" tall before I switch colors.

P.S. I can't use the term "knit in the round" because it makes me think of singing in the round, and I can't knit with those kinds of songs in my head.

Felting, Purses, and Circular Knitting Galore

I'm starting on a new, slightly harder, project (yes, also from Stitch N Bitch): Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote.

This is what I have so far. The yarn:



The beginning:



(I think the needles look like tampons)

More as it progresses.

Scarf of My Own Accord

This isn't from a pattern, but I thought I'd make something with the leftover yarn from my first scarf. So I'm making a purple seed stitch scarf:

Powerful Wrist Protection

Also from Stitch N Bitch, I tried the Powerful Wrist Protection bracelet. Fist I made a black one with a red star, but something happened when I was binding off and it was too tight to go over my hand. So I added a button and strap and sewed the bottom up and made a handy dandy little iPod case, like so:



(incidentally, my mother likes to point out how flimsy and dangerous she thinks the strap looks every time she sees it. how long does it have to go without breaking for her to stfu already?)

Then I tried it again and made a red one with a black star, the binding off is still tight but at least it fits, so rock on:

Baby's First Scarf

Thanks to the wonderful Stitch N Bitch, my first project was the "Go Go Garter Stitch Scarf," thusly:



Not perfect, but you'll see it this winter. mmm hmm.

Yeah

I'm keeping track of my knitting projects.

You can care if you want to, but it's not mandatory.