Tuesday, October 28, 2014

FO: Striped Socks




















I finished up this pair of socks for my husband this past week.  They took a long time to complete, but for no other reason then my lack of interest (smile).  They are great socks in the end and I know that he will wear them a lot.  Did I mention his favorite colors are brown and blue?  I am not sold that this brown and this blue exactly compliment each other, but they do provide a nice contrast and give a 'plain' sock some interest.




















He asked for another pair after a) telling me that his Globe Trotters tend to slip down because the ribbing isn't tight enough, and b) confessing that he felted the last pair of socks I knit him in the laundry.

This pair should hold up - elastic enough with a an all around traditional rib pattern and sturdy enough for the washer and dryer thanks to KnitPicks superwash sock yarn Stroll, in Midnight Heather.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Pattern Test: The Messenger Bag


I am one lucky girlThis past month I was able to test sew a pattern for my friend Melissa Q. from a happy stitch.   I am not an accomplished sewer - very much still a beginner - but I am keen on adding new skills and giving this messenger bag a test run was a great experience. 


Overall it took under 4.5 hours to cut, prepare, assemble and sew the bag - not bad for something so incredibly functional, unique and awesome.  My favorite feature - aside from the slender, compact size and customized strap length - are the inside pockets.  Perfect for a phone, lip gloss, pens and your headphones.


As a beginning sewer I was a bit nervous about how it all might come together, but following Melissa's photos and clear directions made it very easy to pull off.  She provides lots of helpful hints along the way.

It is quite a professional looking bag and I have gotten lots of compliments on it already.  The lining looks wonderful and fits well.  The bag is also reinforced with interfacing, giving it the right amount of body and structure without any additional bulk.


The biggest compliment of all is that one of my older daughters (9yo) desperately wants to have this. "Mom, messenger bags are WAY cooler than backpacks," she says.  I have to agree with her on that.  Especially when it is this messenger bag we're talking about!


The pattern for this bag should be available in Melissa's Etsy store starting today.  Go pick up the pattern, find some fantastic fabric and sew yourself one.  You won't be sorry you did.