Excited Over My Next Project!!!

I'm so excited about my next project that I have to give you a glimpse of what I am up to.  Did I say next?  I still have two sweaters to finish which are almost done, a scarf and another neck warmer.  Perhpas this will be my Christmas timeoff, vacation, heavenly week. 

Do I have your attention?  Let me tease you a little bit!  It's always so much fun to do that!

Four skeins of Cascade 220 from my LYS.  Only three is needed but I am not taking the chance of running short.  Cascade 220....does that give you a clue?  100% wool.  The project has to be wool.  Still wondering, well, read on.  On second thougth, read on anyway.

I can already feel each one of those strands slipping through my fingers as I anxiously wind the yarn off my umbrella swift.  I'll feel the love of those same strands of yarn as I knit each stitch of my pattern.  

Silly men, (and I suppose some women also) like to say they get twice the heat when chopping wood.  Once, from the elevated body heat while chopping, and again heat when burning the wood. 

I'll get twice the heat from this yarn and it's so much easier....well, almost.  Once as it rests in my lap as it grows row by row and again when I wear it.  Oh, yes, I forgot.....this project is not worn in the true sense of the word. 

Ok, I've kept you in suspense long enough........

I'm knitting the "Lucy Bag" (<----click)as shown in the picture below on their web site. 

I knitted this bag for my younger daughter and loved it.  My older daughter has also knitted it for herelf.

My plan is to knit the bag, line it and needle felt a bird on the lower right (or left) of the bag.  Today, I was on a hunt to find lining fabric.  I really wanted a chickadee on a pine tree branch.  Chickadees and pine trees are my beloved home State of Maine's state symbols.  The material below is what I found.  Now, it's to decide which bird to needle felt.  This one..........

...or this one!!!.....

....or this one!!!

...or this one!!!!

I spoiled myself as well and purchased Brooklyn Tweed's (a/ka Jared Flood) new book.  It's no surprise that every pattern in this book is gorgeous. 

Happy Knitting!!

Inexpensive Laptop Bag

I recently purchased a laptop. The monitor is 15.6" and standard is 15.4" which meant your traditional bag would not accommodate my needs. I would have to purchase a bag for a 17" monitor. I wanted something cheery, perhaps feminine, etc. It would not be used for air travel so there was room for flexibility.

I thought of sewing my own bag but that meant precious time away from my knitting.

This is what I found at Jo'Ann's on sale. Final price after I tell you more.

It is a reversible, foam-padded canvas bag.


I added a button closure (used another coupon) with a twisted cord.

The bag has both an inside and outside pocket almost the full height of the bag which is perfect for my computer battery and cord. The inside pocket holds my wireless mouse. I added the D-ring side closures.

Total cost............approximately $12.50. A laptop bag at "Best Buy" will cost you from $35-$75. Needless to say, I am pleased.

Lizzie and I often compare ways to cut costs during these difficult economic times. I was the queen of frugal when it wasn't fashionable so I am used to it.

One of the blogs I read is "Poor Girl Eats Well". I don't consider myself poor but merely a smart shopper.

Happy Knitting!

What's In Your Bag?

Why this is my favorite new knitting bag! If you own Denise Needles, please read to the end.

Do you remember "Art Linkletter-Kids Say The Darndest Things" (<--click) (perhaps on reruns) with the cute kids who told it like it was when posed a question? Of course, like your kids or grandkids, they were as cute as buttons.

Mr. Linkletter used to also go up in the audience and ask women to share the contents of their handbags with the viewing audience. If someone had a prenamed unusual item (such as a boiled egg), they would win a prize.

Speaking of bags, so what is in your knitting bag? Here's what I have in mine.

I purchased this Debbie Mumm quilting bag at Jo'Ann's for 40% off with coupon. I thought it was very appropriate as a knitting bag. Final price was about $10.00 I didn't particularly like the fabric or the colors. I have a gazillion bags but this one really served the purpose. Let me show you why.

There are three main sections as well as an outside pocket. I like the fact that it is zippered so I don't accidentally loose a needle or other item.

1. First section has three individual zippered clear view pockets that hold my: stitch markers (Altoid metal container...perfect!)
2. Yarn sewing needles (again in metal container)
3. Measuring Tape
4. Scissors
5. Stitch Holders
6. My business cards (I lose the bag and they know who it belongs to.)
7. Cable Needles
8. Row Counters
9. Needle Inventory Card (which never seems to be up-t0-date)
10. Gauge Ruler (which looks impressive but I hardly ever use it)
11. Post It Notes (used to easily locate a pattern in a book)
12. Nail file (don't want to make pulls in my yarn)
13. Cell phone or small clock to remind me I have other things in my life to do besides knitting
14. Yarn Requirement Chart (I don't know how I ever lived without this.)
15. My trusty crochet hook
16. Energy bar (exercising those knitting fingers ..well!)
17. Calculator

The third section holds my project of the day along with the pattern. Again it has zippered pockets within this section.

But, what really sold me on this bag is the 2nd or middle section which very comfortably holds..........

my Denise Needles and protects the case and makes for easy portability.

Tell me what is in your bag!!!!

Happy Knitting!