Market Tote

I have completed my market tote and love it so much! It turned out so cute that I decided I wanted to submit it to Interweave Crochet for their Spring 2009 issue. It seems so far out into the future, but it's probably really not. I am working up a second swatch to include with the submission, which will also include photos and a written description of the pattern. Thankfully, I don't have to send in the actual bag I made, so I can use it at the new farmer's market near my work on Thursday. I've got the pattern written up, so if by some chance they decide they like my bag, a lot of the work is already done.

Finished Objects

I am on a tear. I have been knitting up hats like crazy, and thinking of new designs like mad. It's like posting my first real official pattern on Ravelry gave me a new kind of energy. My first goal is to finish up my Clintonville Market Tote and get it posted here.

I went to the Clintonville Farmer's Market last weekend with my daughter and we had a great time. But, I seemed to be the only person walking around without my own non-plastic grocery bag. I resolved to check out Ravelry for a pattern to work up quickly. When I did, it seemed that there was a lack of crochet totes that I really liked, excepting Jill Chatelain's Rust Goes Green tote, which I intend to make next. So, I am making my own!

I've made a nice criss-cross pattern of dtrs, which seems to make a nice mesh pattern for the bag. Most of the pattern is written up, but I need to finish it to make sure it's useable. Hopefully in the next week, or so.

Sampler Crochet Dishcloth

This will be used for a crochet workshop at work. The idea is to introduce the main stitches while giving a little time to practice them.

Materials
Worsted weight crochet cotton
Size I hook

Pattern

• Ch 25 loosely, turn
• Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (24 sc total)
• Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn
• Row 4: sc in each st across, ch 3, turn
• Row 5: dc in second st and in each st across, ch 3, turn (the turning ch 3 is counted as the first dc, so there are 24 dc total including the turning ch 3)
• Row 6: dc in second st and in each st across (including the turning ch 3), ch 3, turn
• Row 7: dc in second st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn
• Row 8: dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, *skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, repeat from * across, dc in turning ch 3, ch 1, turn
• Row 9: sc in first dc and in each stitch across, ch 3, turn (24 sc total)
• Row 10: dc in second st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn
• Row 11: dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, *skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, repeat from * across, dc in turning ch 3, ch 3, turn
• Row 12: dc in ch-1 space and in each st across (including turning ch 3), ch 3, turn (24 dc total)
• Row 13: dc in second st and in each st across (including the turning ch 3), ch 1, turn
• Rows 14 - 15: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn
• Row 16: sc in each st across, do not finish off,
• Outer edge: sc around edge to finish off. On edges of rows, make two sc in each dc row, one sc in each sc row.

Lull

I find myself in a weird lull in between large/rushed projects. I finished my sister's garter, finished my shrug to wear to Knitter's Connection, and finished the latest hat in the Great Hat Race. Sure, I'm working on a little baby hat and am finishing my felted entrelac tote, but there is no deadline for those and I feel very relaxed.

The hat I'm working on:

After all my purchases and free yarn from the Knitter's Connection, I have tons of options for my next big project. I should and probably will finish up my stragglers, but then I could work on:

1. Emily's next sweater
2. Husband's sweater
3. Sister's shrug
4. Mom's bag
5. Mother-in-law's bag
6. Stepmother-s bag
7. My wrap #1
8. My wrap #2
9. My scarf

I could also begin designing my next project, which I think will be a crochet shrug. I have lots of yarn left from the knit shrug I made, and it was such a hit that I want more. Or, I could work on my idea for a stranded tote...

Knitters Connection

I got to attend KC yesterday and I am in love. This was the second annual Knitters Connection held in Columbus, OH and sponsored by The Merc. I was not able to attend last year, but heard such wonderful things about it that I put it on my calendar to make sure I'd get to a class.

I signed up for Sally Melville's "Two Colors Two Hands" class to learn more about fairisle knitting (or stranded knitting, or color work, etc.). It was fabulous. We learned about 5 different ways to work with two or more colors, including the Portugese purling technique with the yarn wrapped around the back of your neck. It actually worked! I am already planning my first fairisle felted tote bag.

After the class, I had the pleasure of sharing lunch and then a few hours of knitting time with other KC members. It was awesome. Next year, I am going to attend the entire event. Definitely.

Stephanie's Crocheted Lace Wedding Garter

I fell in love with Diane Willett's Knitted Lace Wedding Garter, but couldn't seem to handle the size 00 needles that were required. After a week of fighting with the slippery cotton thread, I decided that I needed to design my own in crochet.

This is a gift for my sister Stephanie's wedding.

This pattern is on Ravelry.

Materials
cotton thread - size 30
crochet hook size 7 (1.65 mm)
1/4 inch wide blue ribbon
thin elastic cord
sewing notions

Gauge
The length of the garter is customizable. Research on the internet tells me that the standard thigh is 20-22 inches. The size I am working for is 24 inches. To this, I have added 2 inches to provide some gathering in the material. My total length is 26 inches.

Center Section
Throughout the pattern for the center section, the turning ch 2 is not counted as a hdc. Work this section to the desired length by repeating rows 3 and 4. Complete a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 3.

1. ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 7 ch, ch 2, turn (8 hdc)
2. hdc in first hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in next 2 hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in final hdc, ch 2, turn
3. hdc in each hdc across, with 2 hdc in each ch2 space, (8 hdc total), ch 2, turn
4. repeat rows 2 and 3 until pieces measures the desired length. Make sure that you have completed a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 2, ch 3, turn

To get 28 inches, my version was 192 rows long.

Edging
The edging is worked along each side of the garter. The instructions below will get you through the first side and then you just repeat on the other side of the center section.

1. Make 2 dc in each row across the side, counting the first turning ch 3 as the first dc. Make sure to get one stitch on the foundation row. You should have twice as many double crochets as you had rows, plus 1. I have 385 stitches. ch 3, turn
2. 2 dc in 1st dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), *skip next 3 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc, ch 1, turn
3. sc in 1st dc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, *skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (this is the middle dc of the 5dc group), 5 dc in next ch 3 space, repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) is last dc, cut thread and finish off.

Assembly
Make sure to block to get the proper stitch definition, paying particular attenting to the ch3 loops on the outside rows. After blocking, sew into a ring. Thread the ribbon and elastic through the openings in the center of the garter, making sure the elastic is hidden behind the ribbon. Sew the two ribbon ends together, making sure to leave enough ribbon to stretch to the desired length. Sew/tie the elastic together to the desired length.

I got the pattern for the flower from SkaMama's blog.

Pattern & images © 2008 by Melisa Darnieder. Personal use ONLY. Commercial use, including selling items made from this pattern, is prohibited. All rights reserved.