Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Seeing Red and the big reveal!

First I want to thank all the lurkers for coming out of hiding and saying hello!! It was wonderful to "meet" some of my readers and I hope y'all keep coming and commenting :)

Sometimes "seeing red" can be a really negative thing.

My one resolution for 2006 is "THERE WILL BE NO CRYING IN 2006!! so hopefully I wont be seeing red in that negative kind of way!

Now red is a lovely color and I'm happy to see red in this case.....

This is my meager beginning of my scarf for....

THE RED SCARF PROJECT


"Robert" Seaman's scarf from Stahman's Shawls and Scarves

I was visiting Norma who brought this charity to my attention (thanks, Norma, you ROCK!!)

To summarize,
THE RED SCARF PROJECT is to provide care packages to foster children attending college. Often these kids have no family and once they reach their majority at age 18, they are often "cut loose" by their foster families. THE RED SCARF PROJECT was established to provide a warm scarf for a college kid that may be pretty alone in this world and putting themselves thru college!

Now the caveat is, these care packages will be delivered on Valentine's Day 2006 - hence the
RED! February 14th is not all that far away but think BULKY and knit these kids a scarf, wont you? The deadline is January 31....plenty of time! :)

The scarves can be dropped off at any of the 419
Einstein Brothers Bagels across America or they can be mailed here:

Orphan Foundation of America/Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive,
Suite 130
Sterling, VA 20166-8511

You can read more about this wonderful endeavor HERE


Now for the big reveal! The first finished object of 2006....The Market Square Bag!

I wanted to give the bag a flat bottom for some stability. The pattern suggests using an empty popcorn tin...OOPS, no popcorn tins here at Casa de FKD! I had to improvise so I found one of the lamps in my living room had a circular brass fixture once I removed the glass lampshade and inner glass hurricane lamp (the white things to the right of the pic) I slipped a dinner plate into the brass fixture and voila! a perfect place to dry the MSB!!


Here's a close up of the bottom of the bag.....isn't it beautiful?


Here's my supervisor throughout the process....all that washing and stretching wore the poor lil guy out!


Here's the finished bag hanging from the very same lamp I used for my drying!


And the glamour shot


Isn't she lovely? I'm really, really pleased with how she turned out! I wanted more of a "purse" than an open tote so I added a felted closure flap to which I sewed a magnetic closure. The button is cosmetic only but I thought it suited the bag perfectly! It's a shell button with irridescent blue, green and purple - a perfect match who's beauty eludes my sorry camera skills.

Specs:

Market Square Bag from Knitter's Magazine Summer 2001 (also in the book: Bags, A Knitter's Dozen)

5 skanks Cascade 220

#8 US (5.0 mm) Addi Turbo Circ

This was a totally fun knit and I highly recommend it. Entrelac is very easy so don't be afraid to jump in and give it a try! One thing that would make it even easier is learing how to knit and purl backwards so you don't have to turn the bag so often! Some commenters asked for a resource on how to knit and purl backwards ....I taught myself how by reversing the path of the stitch but HERE is a good resource for those that asked.

Now, I've got to get knitting on my red scarf!! Deadline, ya know!

I'll be back soon with lots to show and my "B" for the ABC along!

Get crackin' on your red scarf and have a wonderful knitty week!

32 comments:

Agnes said...

The bag is lovely! And the colour combination is awesome! Thanks for the link for knitting backward.

laurie said...

very VERY nice :o)

i like the closure very much...may have to keep something similar in mind for mine (if i can ever manage to get back to it lol)...i think that's what's been subconsciously been 'bothering' me about the bag--no way to keep it shut.

Ada said...

Fabulous bag, i love the color combination.

The Stitchin' Sheep said...

The bag turned out so well. Are you planning to line it, or does the pattern not suggest that? The one felt bag I made a while back stretch so badly without the lining I should have put in. I'd hate to see that happen to yours.

Anonymous said...

Delurking to say your bag is stunning!! Love everything about it, esp. the colors, closure and your brilliant way of blocking the base. Fabulous job!

Catherine said...

That is gorgeous, and I love the colors and the closure! Now I'm almost tempted to make another one. I like my first attempt but the colors were just a bit too...much for me.

Suzanne said...

Hi Deb! Sockpal2za pal here.

Just wanted to tell you that I wear my socks all the time (they get washed every week) and they feel and fit beautifully. I love the eye of partridge heel and the firm fabric--I'm a loose knitter and I never get that solid fabric. They are LOVELY and I LOVE them!

Nice job to P-man for the package "he" sent to La--how did he know she needed a pick-me-up?

Anonymous said...

The Bag is beautiful and the red scarf is great! I love red, and it is the perfect colour to help make someone feel warm.

Leslie said...

Red Scarf, huh? Sounds like a plan to me!. I hope they don't mind acrylic as that's what's in stash, looking for a home.

I always learn so much from you - either your own tutorials or sending us someplace. Thanx!

Carole Knits said...

I started a red scarf yesterday but now I'm worried that I'm going to run out of yarn. I can't get more of this cuz it was in my stash so I may have to start over today with something else. Anyway, your bag is beautiful, especially the bottom. You should carry it upside down so everyone can see. LOL

Pumpkinmama said...

The bag is just perfect! Great work.

Jes said...

The bag is so pretty! Nice work.

Alison said...

Beautiful bag! The colors you chose are just perfect.

Anonymous said...

Deb - the bag is beautiful. I like the closure too - it gives it class! Dang, something else to put on my "must do" list. Here's to a tear free 2006!
Dorothy (Missouri Star)

Anonymous said...

The bag is gorgeous!!! Wow, what an accomplishment. It's fun to knit red and such a great cause, too. Knit on!
PS...did you get the Chibi?

Anonymous said...

Hi Debi, Your bag is great! I love the colors and the button is perfect.

La Cabeza Grande said...

Jumping on the bag, er, bandwagon here to say you've made entrelac look easy and gorgeous!

BTW, I know someone who was helped by the Orphan Foundation of America. Very good of you to bring the Red Scarf Project to our attention.

Beth said...

Your MSB is great! You're going to love using it.

Cathy said...

The bag is FANTASTIC! The colors, the closure EVERYTHING - great job, I'm sure you will get tons and tons of use out of that!

chris said...

Your bag is STUNNING, Debi!! I love it! Pure gorgeousness- from the colors to the entrelac to the fabulous button closure. What an awesome way to start 2006! And thank you for the info on the Red Scarf Project- it sounds really wonderful. I'll be checking on the links you gave right after this. You are going to make some college student very happy with that beautiful scarf! Take care and again, fantastic job on the bag! :-)

Anonymous said...

That bag is awesome. You did a fabulous job. I am muy impressed!

Anonymous said...

It's such a great thing, that scarf project. You go girl!

I love LOVE love your bag. It turned out spectacular!

Anonymous said...

Love the bag! I have the yarn and pattern to make it - maybe that'll be my 'olympic' project...hrmmmm

Terri said...

All hail Queen Deb!

My god that is lovely! I can't wait to finish the sweater I am working on, and then the red scarf that I just decided to do. That project is near and dear to my heart as my hubby was a foster kid with a rough way to go in college, and all alone. Thanks for all the good info. I always love your blog!!!

Anonymous said...

Deb,

I’m a lurker, I admit it. I’m officially coming out of the proverbial closet. Joy! Actually, I’ve only visited your blog a few times (from links from others – I think it was Norma’s). I’m new to the knitting world, but am officially hooked (I learned how to knit in Sept. 2005). Your bag is great! I want to hopefully make a felted bag this year – it’s my long-term goal. Thanks for sharing your pictures and your love for knitting!

Sue


p.s.: I'm working on the red scarf project too. :-)

Sharlene said...

Darn it! I've never tried entrelac and I always have Cascade 220 lying around! Its beautiful Deb--but I don't need ideas for more projects! You did a great job and the colors are divine.

PJ said...

What a beautiful bag!! Love the red scarf project..where have I been? Just found your blog! Spent 8 years in FL before San Diego. Gonna' add ya' to my bloglines :)

Anonymous said...

Great job on the bag!!!

Lynda said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous bag!!!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog. I LOVE your bag. I think I am going to have to try that one. The colors are just gorgeous and I love what you did for the closure.

Anonymous said...

Hey Debi, remember me? I love love love your entelac Market Bag, and the colors are great! Hi to Pumpkin kitty......
blogless jacky

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT!!!!