Well, I did finish two items the last couple of days — BUT, they were 1) already started, b) not that difficult, and 3rd — not that fantastic. The thing is, even if you just get a base hit instead of a grand slam homer, it still counts as a hit, right?
The two things I finished are the Lopi Cardigan and the Modular Tote Purse. Both were lots more work than I anticipated — isn’t that usually the case? By the end, I wanted to cut them both up and throw them away.
Let’s start with the purse. This project became the “Thing That Would Not Die.” I have worked on it off and on for what seems like months.
Give this thing a haircut: look at the ends!
Here are some pre-felting pics:
I made a major mistake on the front flap, but did not discover it until way too late. I would have needed to re-knit 3/4’s of the flap and that was not an option, especially since I had already joined it and finished the i-cord around the entire thing! In shaping the flap (rounding the lower corners) I rounded the wrong squares! So when I joined it to the bag with the rounded corners down, the flap was 90 degrees off. It would have lined up perfectly if I had shaped the correct corners! But, like I said, too late!
Here is the felted bag drying, front view:
Back view:
The second FO is the Lopi Cardigan. This is a bulky knit, wooly-wool sweater. I still need to find buttons, and truth be told, it’s still damp!
As Surly would say, “It is A sweater, not THE sweater.” It is wearable, it is kind of cute, it is very scratchy, and it looks kind of blah when it is on. Here is Lettie trying to model it:
And a close up:
So that is why I knew I could get two projects done. The potential third FO has no hope of getting done this weekend as I had hoped. It took me too long for the above items. I am going to finish my Kauni Cardigan next. I really want that off my plate. I also have an additional Hemlock to make for a shop sample for the Yarnery. I’ll be teaching the Hemlock this winter.
So the good news is that I finally got some projects done — I have not worked on Lyra for several days now, so I want to get back to that one as well.
Hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday. We spent the day with family and ate, ate, ate!
PS — Here is the Reynolds Lopi Pattern #82273 for those who missed in past posts:
PS Squared 😉 — When the felted purse dries, I’ll take a picture of it with the regular Modular Tote so you can compare the two sizes.
Well – thank goodness for felting! The bag, at least from the pictures, looks great! I love the colors. The sweater is very pretty – you can snazz it up with the buttons! We ate a lot too – now it is time to start walking in earnest again!
Comment by Connie — November 24, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
You know, if you hadn’t told us about that bag, I’ll bet we wouldn’t have noticed! In fact, I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about “rounding the wrong corners.” Looks good to me!
Where did the Lopi sweater pattern come from? I need a not-so-plain sweater for just wearing around the house and I really like this. There’s just enough detail to make it interesting.
Comment by Bev — November 24, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
As usual, you’re too harsh where your projects are concerned. The bag looks marvelous! The colours are wonderful.
The cardigan, though not exciting, looks lovely. Not every cardigan can look like an Oregon!
Comment by Marina — November 24, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
This from an English major: One squared is One! The Lopi may be scratchy, but it’s attractive at this point….And fancy glass buttons would Wow!
Comment by Nancy — November 24, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
Well I think both projects are great and I can see the sweater over a bright turtleneck!!!
Comment by Bonnie — November 24, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Both those projects are at least doubles, if not triples (carrying on the baseball metaphor). I love them both.
Comment by kmkat — November 24, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
I agree, the bag looks great and so does the sweater. The right button will make it perfect–pewter?
Comment by Kay — November 24, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
From Susan to Kay — I am thinking about pewtery/silvery buttons!
Comment by lv2knit — November 24, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
I’m so impressed with the even felting of the bag – usually things like flaps get wavy during felting. What is your secret??!? (Or was it luck? 😉 Your secret will be safe with me!)
Both projects came out wonderfully. Congrats on a productive holiday weekend!
Comment by June — November 24, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Well, I think the bag looks great, but I know what you mean about always being able to spot your own errors. I made ONE mistake in the middle of a large blanket (that no one can see but me) and my fingers go to it every time. Would you mind telling me which issue of Anna the Lyra pattern is in? I have a contact for these, but I’ve been given 2 different dates. Thanks
Jenny
Comment by Jenny — November 24, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Susan- You’ll probably get more wear out of the Lopi sweater than you think.
It would look great with a bright turtleneck- and Lopi is warm.
What qualifies as THE sweater?
Comment by Lorraine — November 24, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
I LOVE the purse. AWESOME colors… (Would love to know where THAT pattern came from!! (must search ravelry if I don’t hear from you. 🙂 I know what you mean about disappointment with the Lopi sweater. Sometimes grey is soft and lovely, and sometimes it is, um, blah. Plus, I never want anything like an arrow pointing at my belly. EVER.
Thanks for the awesome inspiration and photos.
Comment by PainterWoman — November 25, 2007 @ 12:13 am
I have been thinking about making the Lopi Sweater for a while. Could you post a picture of the back of the sweater? I am curious as to which way the pattern goes across the back.
I like the way yours came out, but I was thinking about using Cascade Ecowool instead of Lopi (which I agree is quite scratchy).
Thanks
Comment by Marie — November 25, 2007 @ 2:28 am