More cotton for an Everlasting Bagstopper

There's a lot of cotton on a cone of Sugar and Cream, 706 yards according to the label. I used quite a bit of it on the Eastern Market Bag, but there was still a lot left on the cone. So I found another bag pattern and cast on for the Everlasting Bagstopper by Amy Singer. You can find the pattern in Knitty, Summer 2007.
 
I added a couple extra knit rows before starting the lace pattern and used the modifications from PKJewelry on Ravelry.


I love the shape and it looks to expand quite a bit. I need to test it out for strength and handle length.
There's still a lot more left on the cone. Another bag perhaps?

July Colorwork MAL

Almost forgot about the July MAL by Colorworks by Debi. I had so much fun in the June MAL making the needle case, I quickly jumped in the July MAL. Blue and white, a great combination. I cast on some Knit Picks Palette in Jay and Oyster Heather and learned something right from the start - corrugated rib. I love the effect and it was fairly simple to accomplish. However this hat was a chore. My tension kept tightening and the stitches were sinking in. I didn't want the hat to be too small so there were many rows done over and over again. I am happy to say that I finished the MAL before the end of the month and while the hat is still waiting to be blocked in to a tam shape, I will call it complete!

Black and white socks

While taking diving in my stash for yarn for the colorwork KAL, I found two skeins of Pattons Stretch Sock. Black and white, so practical, but not the easiest colors to work with. But in my quest to use up stash, I cast on a pair of Fretful. I loved the simplicity of the pattern and the results were so comfy (or so I am told by the one who wears the socks). Not quite as soft as Happy Feet yarn, I thought this would make a serviceable pair. I'm going to work a few inches before deciding if the yarn color works with the stitch pattern.

A shopping bag for Suzanne

I needed a quick gift and this market bag that was on my needles would do nicely. It is the Eastern Market Tote by Tanis Gray, a free pattern on Ravelry.
This was my first attempt using a provisional crochet cast on. It was very easy to pick up the stitches from the crochet chain. BUT... I knitted into the wrong loop! So instead of pulling on the end and releasing the crochet stitches I had to unweave the crochet chain. Lesson learned, pick up the back loop on the chain.

After some muttering to myself, I was back on track and finished the bottom of the bag.
The results? She loved it! and that's all that matters.

Stitch club update #2

Moseying along with Summer Stitch Club. Every Monday, without fail, an email arrives in my inbox with the week's mini embroidery pattern. And every week, without fail, I print it and file it away to be done "later". "Later" has been getting away from me and today the second to the last pattern was delivered.  YIKES! I better get my needles moving!
There has been some progress... See... I have 4 of the twelve little guys stitch up. The next seven are traced out and ready to be stitched.

My hexies are almost done. I need to count the green ones again. I think I'm short by two... I'll have to do some adjusting when I assemble.

Not too far behind, wouldn't you say? That's a good thing because there will be an Autumn Stitching Club! Who can resist these cute patterns that take just a moment to make. Not I, said the busy mom...