Today is the start of String-a-long 2010, the string bag making challenge that Emily and I are co-hosting. The participants are all in the sidebar and the Flickr group can be accessed by clicking on the ball of yarn button. It's not too late to join in if you fancy a go.
As I work five days a week I decided to cast on yesterday and knock off a few rows of the Elisa's Nest Tote pattern which is my choice from the dozens available on-line.
Now, I've been knitting for years, but I'd never seen the abbreviation ssk, which on the pattern was described as a 'decrease, slip slip knit'. I had to look it up, and found a good site which explained it. The whole thing seemed a bit of a faff so I just substituted K2TogTBL, which is knit two together through back of loops, and has exactly the same effect only takes much less time...
I also tried knitting on large needles as suggested, but it just wasn't working so I chose 4mm ones and just knitted really loosely. The approximate sizing seems to be the same at this stage, so we'll have to see. I have to say the pale one shown on the site doesn't look to me as if it started off eight inches wide before contents were added...mine is about eight inches so it'll be interesting to see how they measure up.
The pattern for the body of the bag is very easy and I don't think it'll take too long to complete. The handles are a different matter. They involve double pointed needles, which don't suit me at all, so that part may be a lengthy process.
What's the point of a challenge, though, if it isn't actually a challenge in some way? Some of the people joining in are quite new to knitting and crochet yet are still willing to give it a bash. Maybe this will help me overcome my double pointed needle problems and open up a world of sock knitting. It's what I'm hoping for.
March. I can hardly believe it. It's still snowing every day here though not sticking at the moment, on Saturday it turned to rain for a time and got rid of a lot. It's bitterly cold all the time. Everyone is desperate for a break in the weather, a bit of warmth, a sign of Spring.
The lambs will be being born soon. The birds will be making nests. We just need the sun to put in an appearance now...
