So this is the next project, I have decided. Since finishing Margaret's bag and the stupid dog sweater (which I still have to sew in ends for), I decided to do a little something for me. I have had this pattern for a while and almost forgot about it. It's a hobo style, with a double zipper. I think I will shrink mine a little smaller, though.
7 comments:
cute, Annie! I can't wait to see it once it is finished! Let me know if that is a good pattern or if it's hard. I would love to do a bag but am a little scared. Do you have to buy specific yarn for felting?
It IS cute...I agree with KB! Annie...you said you had wanted to shrink yours more.....how much will it shrink if you just keep on washing it??? Is there a maximum shrinking level that a piece just won't shrink anymore...I think that is the part that I am nervous about with the bags is the shrinking part.....too little, too much, etc.
Love it and yes you are worth it! I look forward to seeing the end results. I have never put a zipper in anything so I can not imagine doing that. I guess I will need to learn how eventually. What color are you doing?
As for the shrinkage part Margaret and Kelly, I believe that happens by how long you leave in the wash, light, reg, extra, and what you put in with it. Like mine I put in a pillowcase and then put a towel in the washer too. Plus I added some baking soda, that was part of my instructions for front loaders, and I think all that made my tote shrink quite a bit more than Anshan's. Is that right Anshan? Isn't that how it works?
Ok...but is there a point where you'll pull out your bag and realize that it is not a tote...however it would make a great holder for a piece of rice????
You're right Pamo! It all depends on so many factors. Try not to add to many variables your first time, that way you know what to attribute your shrinkage to. Also water content (more minerals in it) and how hot your water gets makes a difference too. I think there is a max in shrinkage, because there is only so much that the fibers can adhere to after a while, based on the knit. Someone explained it well to me...wool felting is like human hair and dred locks. The fibers adhere to each other so there is only a maximum surface it can mingle with and cover. Pamo, I chose a chocolate brown/plum color. It will be interesting to see how it felts, whether it is more plum or chocolate. I want to have cool silver hoops with it. Luckily the yarn shop owner did hers recently so she will be my resource on the handles and zipper.
I love it Anshan - it will be so stylish. Re the felting (although I haven't done that yet) from the wool fabric that mom felts and the other material I've read - the agitation is another factor -hence why top loading machines are recommended. However, the instructions I've read also say to check the shrinkage often to see how much that particular yarn/wool is shrinking/felting in your particular water, additives, etc. If it hasn't shrunk enough or in fact felted enough (meaning the fibers haven't interlocked) then you just toss it back in for another 3 - 5 minutes and check again. Our water is very hard here with lots of minerals - but I have softened water - so that may make a big difference in my situation. I think Anshan is exactly right - there are a lot of variables and we will each have to "experiment" to see what happens with our own machines and methods. I have one of those green cutting mats for roller cutters - it has a grid in inches - I think it will be helpful when I need to take the before and after measurements. I should be ready to felt the first time when Pat comes back from Long Beach - we are going to do ours together - but will use lingerie bags to keep them from trying to interlock with each other. I can't wait to see your progress Anshan - it's all very exciting. The office manager for my client's local office has been hearing of your work. To my surprise, she is a knitter but hasn't done any for ages. She got the bug and is knitting leg warmers for her niece in Michigan who is quite ill. After the first evening with her knitting (she is quite ill herself with a serious heart condition) she told me: "I had forgotten how much I like to knit when watching TV - how calming it is." I think you have all done her a favor by passing the knitting bug to her.
I published a comment before, but I don't see it here so I will try it again. I'm glad someone else was able to catch the knitting bug! I know what it has done for me, and it is so nice to hear other people finding new joy in knitting or rediscovering it.
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