Pattern: Fair Isle Felted Tote from Crystal Estelle Designs
Source: knitting class at Boll Weaver Yarns
Materials: 5 skeins of Lamb's Pride Worsted ( 1 each of the following colors: 15-Aubergine, 14-Sunburst Gold, 13-Sun Yellow, 177-Olympic Bronze, 97-Rust) and US 13 circular needles
I knit the entire project from start to finish (as did each of my friends in the knitting group who also attended the class) in 3 days! I wouldn't usually expect to be able to do this much knitting in 3 days. It was a special treat that the 4 of us were able to get away for the weekend and devote ourselves solely to the class.
Just out of sheer curiosity, and maybe because I'm kind of a knitting geek, I wanted to know how many yards of yarn we each knit that weekend.
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| I used this kitchen scale which has fast become one of my favorite knitting tools. |
I took out the scale and the calculator and totaled the yardage of my leftovers to figure it out. I realized that each of us knit @ 475 yds that weekend. It doesn't sound like a lot to me right now, but if we could keep up that pace for 1 year we would knit over 32 miles of yarn! That would take care of my stash in a hurry!
More importantly, I'm grateful for how much we learned and how much fun we had. Crystal Dobbs, who wrote the pattern and taught the class, shared tips and tricks related to multiple topics including choosing colors, knitting with two hands, reading charts, seaming, and felting. It was wonderful. I look forward to stopping in to see her during Stitches West, where she will have her selection of Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks yarn.
And what's that peeking out of my new tote?
Yes, it is 5 more skeins of Lamb's Pride for yet one more Fair Isle Felted Tote!
Posts
It's so pretty and I LERVE the colours that you picked! I'm loving all the felted bags out there right now but I just can't get on board with them for myself. I'm not quite sure why. Maybe I just haven't found the right one yet?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag! I didn't know fair isle would felt up so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm a crocheter.. I just never got the hang, or in the habit should I say, of knitting. I've just been too attached to my crochet hook, ever since I was just a kid!.. but I LOVE your bag! Such a cute pattern, and so pretty for Fall!! You should be proud of your work, and I hope you're wearing it while doing something extra fun this weekend! ~tina
ReplyDeleteThe bag is gorgeous. Three days??? I am duly impressed!
ReplyDeletethe colors are stunning, great work!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. What a beautiful bag. The colours are scrummy.
ReplyDeletewhat a pretty bag :)
ReplyDeleteLovely bag! I really like the colors for your newest one :)
ReplyDeleteOk - I'm totally impressed too! I'm not sure I could do it again, but it sure was fun! I love the colors for both your bags. Good luck with the second!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your bag! Also, how smart to use the kitchen scale! I always wondered how people figured it out! LOL Thanks for participating in FO Friday!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing the Fair Isle Felted Tote. Y'all definitley "devoted yourselves soley to the class." I heard about the 3 hours of sleep.
ReplyDeletePS: car wash = cookies + eggs. I like this trade. Stop by any time.
It is not cheating! You worked you knitting fingers to the bone for that bag. FOF worthy for sure : )
ReplyDeletei love that bag and the colors. i haven't tried my hand at fair isle or felting yet, but i'd love to make one of these!
ReplyDeleteHOw can one get such a beautiful pattern?
ReplyDeleteH DaniYellow,
ReplyDeleteI made the bag from a pattern I was given in a fair isle knitting class at Bollweaver Yarns (http://bollweaveryarns.com/). I'm not sure if it is available anywhere else. I might see the instructor at Stitches West next month. and I will let you know if I find that she has made it available for sale anywhere else.
Happy Knitting,
Shannon