FO's: Bella Set and Celtic Tote

Slim · February 4, 2009, 4:04am

Ooh, how pretty! I love them both. I’ve been eyeing those Bella mittens for a while, and after seeing yours I may have to make some. Lovely work on the bag, too.

gargoylelib · February 4, 2009, 9:00am

Thanks The mitten pattern calls for a bulky weight yarn but I had worsted weight in my stash so I just held it doubled and it worked out fine. Also, if you make them, they seem to be very tight at first. Almost like they might be too small. That seemed to be a common comment on Ravelry about the pattern. However, after wearing them just once they really “grew” and almost fit loose now. Other people had recommended casting on extra sts but I’m really glad I didn’t. Just a word of warning in case you decide to start them. I suppose it all depends on the yarn used and how loosely or tightly you knit

Libbie

GinnyG · February 4, 2009, 12:08pm

Those are just BEAUTIFUL!

MerigoldinWA · February 4, 2009, 2:46pm

Very nice projects. Your bag is lovely. I like the way the cables are edged in black, or is that just an illusion? Very nice. The set is nice as well.

saracidaltendencies · February 4, 2009, 2:50pm

Beautiful, and I love the colors of the tote!

gargoylelib · February 4, 2009, 11:58pm

I actually edged the cables in a darker tone of green. I was going to use the black but it seemed a bit too dark. Since the bag is felted you have to edge the cables with some kind of contrast or they just sorta blend away into the bag. This project has given me ideas for future felted cables!

MerigoldinWA · February 5, 2009, 11:21am

Thanks gargoylelib for the answer. Would you mind telling how that was done? Did you knit a stitch of dark at the edge of each cable as it was knit, or add it later? I’m fascinated by the look.

gargoylelib · February 5, 2009, 11:49pm

Actually the darker yarn was added after the knitting was complete. The pattern had you embroider around the cables with a contrasting yarn and since it was going to be felted it didn’t require tiny neat embroidery stitches. I actually did quite long back stitch embroidery around the edges. On the designer’s blog she briefly mentions how to do it:
http://www.pieknits.com/blog/2007/12/notes_on_celtic_tote.html

Hope that helps!
Libbie

MerigoldinWA · February 6, 2009, 10:28am

Okay, I get it. That works slick. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it.

dewdrops · February 6, 2009, 11:54am

WOW!!

silybluestar · February 10, 2009, 10:14pm

Wow your knitting is Amazing! Fantastic job!