Shop Update Aug. 30th, 2012

Pattern ~ Camera Strap Cover

I finally got my new camera!

I wasn't in love with the basic camera strap that came with it though. It made the back of my neck itch, but I'd already spent enough on the camera. I didn't want to spend more on a fancier strap. That's when I came up with this cover knit from a skein of sock yarn I had in my stash.






The stripes were a happy accident that appeared when I started knitting. I imagine all sorts of different patterns might emerge based on how the yarn used was dyed.

I ended up using about 120 yards of fingering weight sock yarn to knit the strap cover. It's made from superwash merino wool which means that I can wash it easily when it gets gross. I'm guessing that'll be often if I use it in the summer. All that heat, sweat and sunscreen. Yuck!

Here's the basic pattern:

I used US size 2 needles. These are my normal sock needles so I knew what my gauge was before I started. I knit fingering weight yarn on size 2 needles at about 9 stitches per inch. That's a little tighter than normal so you may need to adjust your needle size accordingly.

My strap measured at 1 1/2" across. I wanted the cover to fit snuggly so I cast on 28 stitches and joined to work in the round. Use your favorite method for knitting in the round. To figure out how many stitches you'll need, use the following formula.

Measurement of strap width in inches x Gauge (stitches per inch) = stitches needed per side, multiply this by 2 to get the number of cast on stitches.

1.5  x 9  = 13.5 I rounded up to 14

Knit 2, Purl 2 rib in the round until piece measures 1". This will hold the strap snuggly at the end. 

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until strap cover is 1" away from other end. Your measurements don't need to be exact just close. 

Knit 2, Purl 2 for 1". Bind off and weave in ends. Slip it on and enjoy!

Super easy! I love the sock yarn because it covers well without any added bulk.

Tour de Fleece Days 5-7

A question for all my Midwest friends - Are you surviving the heat? 11 days in a row over 90* is way too much!! We don't have any air conditioning so it's been a rough week and a half.

I've been sitting and hugging the fan this week. I can't knit at all, but spinning hasn't been too bad. I have a small desk fan that I "liberated" from my teenage daughter's room and if I keep it blowing on my hands I can spin without the fiber sticking too much to my hands.

This is a good thing since the Tour de Fleece is still going strong. I showed you the first yarn I finished and yesterday I was able to complete my second. I love this yarn so much!

I had some leftover batts from a spin-a-long that we did back in the Spring. They were orange with a bit of red and called Tulips. Orange normally isn't my color, but these were calling my name.

 

They took me 3 days to complete and I love this yarn. Oh wait, I already said that. It's got lots of angelina which gives this skein a real sparkle. Watching it hanging out on the line catching the sun, made it look breathtaking!

Are you spinning in the Tour de Fleece? How's is your spinning going?

Tour de Fleece Days 1-4

The Tour de Fleece has started! If you aren't sure what the Tour de Fleece is, it's a spinning (as in yarn) competition that happens right alongside the Tour de France. A lot of people spin their yarn while watching the race, but unfortunately we don't get the race on our TV.

I have been spinning lots of yarn though. Over the last few days I've finished one yarn and started another. That's a big deal for me because I can never seem to finish a yarn in less than a week during other times of the year.

Days 1, 2 and 3 I spent spinning the singles for my very first ever 3-ply yarn.

Each one of those bobbins took me about 3 hours. At our house that was several episodes of Merlin and Star Trek.

Yesterday was day 4 and I finished the yarn! It's a rainbow gradient which means it starts out red and by the end it has gone through the rainbow and ended at purple. The colors do not repeat. The yarn weighs in at 3.95 oz., contains 341 yards and is about a sport weight. It's made from superwash merino, bamboo and nylon so would be great for socks or anything else you'd feel like not worrying about hand washing.

I also managed to start a second skein of yarn. This is from a batt that contains everything but the kitchen sink I think. There's alpaca, merino, silk, and a whole bunch of other things. I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow.