but no short rows!

But No Short Rows

Why? Everyone needs a bag for the essentials when running out for a cup of coffee. And since coffee is destined to get spilled, this bag has been dyed with coffee to hide any spillage in the future. Every mom needs a soaker of her very own.

Recommended yarn: 100% wool, worsted weight, suitable for felting. Model pictured was knit with Lion Brand Fisherman’s wool (8 ounce skein/465 yards) Natural color (Yarn may be dyed using a variety of dyeing methods. Model was dyed with coffee after it was knit and before felting.)

Approximately 2.5 ounces yarn

Recommended Needles: US size 4 and US size 7 needles or size necessary to achieve gauge. Please use needles appropriate for your favorite method of knitting small circumferences. (Model was knit utilizing long circular needles.)

Notions: Blunt yarn needle

Stitch markers (3)

Tape Measure/ruler

Gauge: Pre-felting: 14 stitches per 4 inches

26 rows per 4 inches

Post felting: 20 stitches per 4 inches

30 rows per 4 inches

Finished measurements: Pre-felting: 6 inches wide and 8 ½ inches long.

Post felting: 5 ½ inches wide and 6 ½ inches long.

(Measured flat)

Using smaller needles and the cast-on method of your choice, cast on 56 stitches (Model was knit with cable cast on)

Place marker (beginning/end of round) and join. Make sure stitches are not twisted on the needle(s).

Work k1p1 rib for one inch

Next round switch to larger needles. At the same time (K2tog, yo) repeat between ( ) to end of round.

Work stockinette stitch until bag measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge.

Knit one round and place markers for gusset as follows….K14, place marker (center front) K28, place marker (center back) knit 14, (you should be back at your original beginning/ending round stitch marker)

Gusset round 1: K to 1 stitch before center front marker, make 1 (use increase method of your choosing that does not leave a hole), K1, slip marker, K1, Make 1, K to one stitch before center back marker, make 1, K1, slip marker, K to end of round.

Gusset round 2: Knit

Gusset round 3: K to 2 stitches before center front marker, make 1, k1, slip marker, k1, make 1, K to 2 stitches before center back marker, make 1, K1, slip marker, K1, make 1, knit to end of round.

Gusset round 4: knit

You are now ready to work legs. You can use a long circular needle or two circular needles and knit both legs at the same time or you can knit each leg separately.

Directions that follow are for working both legs at the same time, Magic Loop style. You will need a second ball of yarn to work the second leg if knitting both legs at the same time.

K13, place 6 (center front) gusset stitches on scrap of yarn/small stitch holder. Drop yarn you are knitting with and using the second ball of yarn and knit to center back gusset. Place center back gusset stitches (6) on scrap yarn or stitch holder. Drop second ball of yarn. Pick up first ball of yarn. Snug front of leg to back and knit back of leg. (Don’t worry if you have a small ladder from this join. The ladder will disappear during felting.) Knit to end of round.

Continue working in stockinette stitch until ‘legs’ measure 2 inches. Measure from bottom edge of gusset.)

Purl next round

(K2tog) repeat to end (NOTE: if using Magic Loop you will have an extra stitch to the first marker. Hold that stitch aside or on stitch holder/cable needle and knit together with the other half of that leg.)

Knit one round even

(k2tog) repeat to end (You will have one extra stitch for each leg at the end of round- K1)

For each leg: Thread yarn needle and pull yarn through remaining stitches. Pull tight. Push end through to wrong side.

FINISH GUSSET: Place gusset stitches on two needles. Turn bag wrong side out and bind off with 3-needle bind off. (You could also graft using Kitchener stitch if you prefer)

Weave in all ends.

STRAPS/TIES:

Using smaller needles make 2 I-cords measuring 50 inches each. (Model was knit with 3 stitch I-cord)

(If you prefer you can use another method to make the straps/ties.)

DYE: Although you can dye yarn before knitting, for this project I waited to dye until the item was knit.

Since this is an essentials bag to be used out and about, it is likely at Starbucks you will spill your drink. To avoid staining from your beverage ---- beat that coffee to your bag and dye it with coffee.

Soak item in water and a bit of soap. Remove from ‘wash’; roll in a towel to remove excess moisture. Place bag and ties into coffee pot and place pot on heating element. Stir and check item periodically. When it is the depth of color you desire, remove from pot and rinse with warm water.

FELT: The following is the method that works best for my washing machine with Fisherman’s wool. Your felting may be different. I recommend staying close to the washing machine and checking frequently, unless you are very familiar with how your particular machine felts the yarn you are using.

Bag and straps are placed in washer (you can put them in a pillow case tied closed). I add towels or jeans for agitation, laundry detergent, and wash on hot for 27 minutes (3 nine minute wash cycles on my washer)

Remove and let dry.

Thread each I-cord through the eyelets in opposite directions (alternating holes) Join ends of I-cord to each other. (You should have two cords which you can pull in opposite directions, closing the bag.)

Alternatively: I-cord could be threaded through eyelet prior to felting.

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