Yeah, I'm still doing bags!

 

With the holidays coming, I am in high gear making shopping bags! This is just a sample of what is available.

Still Doing Bags

 I haven't posted anything for awhile because I have been just knitting bags. Bags and bags and bags. I can't believe how well they are selling. Here are some of the bags I have completed lately.

Now I have to get back to my needles and bags.

Shopping bags galore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it a Cardinal or a Blue Jay? Free Pattern

 

 

One of the disadvantages of living in Colorado -- at least in the mountains -- is that we just don't seem to have cardinals. I grew up in South Dakota farm country and always saw the cardinals show up in the bare trees by our house. I have a fond memory of my dad whistling a cardinal call. Soon I was see bright red birds coming closer and closer to our bird feeder. 

However, in Colorado, we have blue jays. The most common ones are the Stellar blue jay, the scrub jay, and the common blue jay. 

So how perfect is a double knitted potholder with a cardinal on one side and a blue jay on the other. Here is a free pattern for you. Be sure to add two stitches on each side for a border.

For instructions on double knitting, use this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKZR-2TwCA.

Kokopelli Potholder free pattern

 

 

"Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head), who is venerated by some Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music." From Wikipedia.

Living in Colorado, we are surrounded by wonderful Native American symbols and the Kokopelli is one of my favorites. I designed this from a picture a program called Chart Minded. Using gold and burnt orange as the colors made the potholder a bit more authentic. Enjoy this free pattern. 

Also check out my Tribal Sun design (which I did not design) posted on August 30, 2023. It is designed by Erssie Major, and can be found at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solstice-sun-tribal-spiral-motif

For instructions on double knitting, use this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKZR-2TwCA.

Silhouette of Snowy Trees potholder.

 

One of my favorite patterns is Alaska by Camille Descoteaux. It is actually a hat pattern, but I modified it to make a potholder. It is a paid pattern, but worth every cent! I have made a couple of hats as well. I took the chart and selected a set of trees. I repeated the small tree on each side. I gave this one to my sister-in-law and she just loves it. 

This is made in double knitting so the other side is a negative of the other side. This pattern seems appropriate because we had 12 inches of snow here in the Rockies this past weekend. 

If you are interested in this pattern, you can find it on Ravelry or use this link: 

//www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6 

Free Shopping Bag Pattern

 

Colorado Shopping bag

 

Colorado now charges $.10 for shopping bags at all stores, including yarn stores and grocery stores. So why not make loads and loads of shopping bags in wonderful colors.

MATERIALS: 250g/9 oz worsted weight cotton

1 5.5mm/9 US 16 in circular needle

1 8mm/11 US 24 in circular needle

 

Bag Bottom

With Size 9 circular needle, cast on 30 sts. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) to make a square, approximately 40 rows.

Pick up 30 stitches along the side, 30 stitches along the bottom, and 30 stitches along the other side (120 stitches total). Mark the beginning of the round. Knit 8 rounds in garter stitch (4 ridges).

Switch to size 11 circular needle.

Bag body

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: K2tog, YO to the marker.

Continue round 1 and 2 for approximately 10 inches. (I counted 18 ‘holes’ or yo). Change back to size 9 needle.

 Bag top

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: Purl

Continue Round 1 and 2 four times.

Next round: *Cast off 15 stitches. Knit 45 stitches* twice

Next round: *Using the E method (www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vYqm13EMlY), cast on 15 stitches, purl 45 stitches* twice.

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: Purl

Continue Round 1 and 2 for approximately three inches.

Cast off. Weave in ends.

Lots of Potholders! I've been busy

I have been double knitting my fingers off making potholders. Double knitting means that the picture is reversed on the other side. If you are interested in any of these potholders, either as a pattern (usually free) or the finished product ($15 each), let me know by replying to this blog or my email of pribfam@msn.com. Here are all I have done so far:

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