Tuesday, September 23, 2008
INKNITBITIONS
Liz's Knit A Beach Bag
Of course, my definition of 'free-range' applies to knitting not chickens. You knew that, didn't you? My design style appeals to the adventurous, for those easily bored with working in a single yarn and for whom translating acres of knit code feels more chore than pleasure. Many don't buy into the 'one right way' of doing things: they're rebels, explorers and innovators. Even those who would have once hesitated to call themselves creative have unfolded art-quality pieces because they've allow their inknitbitions to fall away. The mantra of free-range knitting, after all, is simple: there are no mistakes, only explorations. Case in point, Liz's Knit a Beach Bag.
It began life as a part of the Knit a Beach vest (see knitalong here for more info here: http://www.janethornley.com/blog/index.php/site/Knitalong/)
...but time and circumstances altered the path. Here's the tale of it's birth, told in Liz's own words from her JockeyGal projects in Ravelry:
"Size issues were a problem, but not the pattern’s fault…..I just didn’t want to knit the back of the vest of a size to fit me. So the vest was stuck in a project bag and placed in a glass cabinet. I often looked at that bag and was sad that the vest wouldn’t be completed as I loved it.
Had a little epiphany about a week ago. Today I know about steeks but at that time during another sewing project I said “Hmmm…see how we cut between those zig-zags and it doesn’t ravel? Man, I could do something with my beach…..something that is one size, fits all!!”
So I went to the stash and found some sand colored ultra suede and I went to my closet and found a bag (I have oh, several, lol) that was simple yet pleasing in design and I got at the sewing machine.
I took the pattern off the original bag with freezer paper, bought another bag just like the original, and went at it. The second bag gave up its life so as the new one could live!
Inside the bag, there are holders for a cell phone, a pen and a pencil, a notebook, a key snap and an extra slot. There is a hidden zipper pocket large enough to zip my billfold up which for me eases the worry of losing my billfold.
The top has a magnetic closure and the strap on top of the ring system is made of the same suede. All hardware was harvested from the second bag.
Truly, a labor of love and I am extremely pleased with this project."
Charming detail (catch the fishnet!)
Not just goodlooking but practical
The Original
Posted by Jane on 09/23 at 09:48 AM
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
THE SWATCH (or how to avoid it)
A Rare Glimpse of a swatch
In my knitting life, rarely do I knit a swatch, though all those much wiser than me admonish those foolhardy enough to go forth without this trusty navigational aid. Guilty. Being basically undisciplined and weak-willed, I find swatches tedious and my well-planned efforts always erupt into something totally wild. I just can't do straight and narrow so I don't. I don't recommend you try this at home unless you have, like I do, a high tolerance for ambiguity. Adventure is just around the corner when I pick up the needles.
But, once upon a time, I did try to conform. Above, exhibit A: a Jane swatch, knit when trying to squeeze my free-range tendencies into a standard format for a magazine submission. I followed the rules in this one instance and knit a convential swatch, submitting said item with a trusty little proposal, sketch, and yarn list twenty items long. How was I supposed to know that multiple yarns from multiple manufacturers doesn't fit the mold?
This was before I knew that magazines make deals with yarn manufacturers, taking submissions and trawling their supplers for a good fit. My multitudinous, non-yarnogamous, approach certainly does not fit. Most yarn suppliers don't want to share the limelight with another (okay, five to ten others) so I was dismissed out of hand. From that point on, I ceased trying to be published in any of the conventional formats and settled into publishing my own designs. I'm an adult, I can take a hint (read: my feelings were hurt). I am now what is know as an 'indy' designer (now, wouldn't it be great if my name was Anna Jones and I could be 'Indy Anna Jones'?).
This is probably the way of all publications for the future. The public, armed with powerful search engines, can now connect with little 'indy' designers like myself who are either too old to conform or too young and smart to bother. But, in the meantime, I offer this swatch in proof that once I did really try the box on for size....
Posted by Jane on 09/18 at 02:19 PM
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From the entry 'One day while I was kniddling...'.
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| By Cathi Rosengren on 2008 10 05 |
