Monday, May 02, 2011

New Pattern: Myrtle Knitting Bag

 In the first of five posts focusing on our newest knitonthenet patterns, we take a look at the Myrtle knitting bag. I already posted the design story to my own blog, so instead of rewriting it, I'll share it with you here.


Myrtle is a knitting bag that would easily double as a bag for the beach. The pattern used in the bag is the brickwork stitch pattern, which is known in the US as the 'ball band' pattern (although I've never found out why - do you know?)


The bag has its roots in a real knitting bag. My grandmother, Myrtle, kept her knitting patterns in a patchwork, brick patterned bag while I was growing up. My Mum tells me that it was made in the 1950s, while she was a girl and by the time I remember it, in the early '80s it was well worn to say the least.
I stayed with my grandparents on the Isle of Wight often when I was growing up, and whenever we went out for the day, the bag would be used. It carried our sandwiches, a flask of tea and a bottle of squash, and of course, Nan's knitting.


I wanted to recreate something from this memory for today. As well as taking my handbag with me, I like a market type bag to take on a day out. One that you can fit lots of knitting into, but that doesn't get in your way held on your arm while you peruse the seaside postcards. A knitting bag that you could also use to throw in a light book, some marmite sandwiches and run with to catch the train to the coast. You have to wrap up the sandwiches well though, you understand. Don't want the marmite getting on your knitting ;)



So, to the specifics: I used a cotton DK (Jo Sharpe's Soho Summer), to give ithe bag that slouchy look, but also so it would dry out easily if you (horror of horrors) accidentally dangled it in the sea while knitting on the sea wall.
 

You knit the bag base-first, with the body picked-up and knitted in the round. The opening is finished with an i-cord cast off. There's a lining to make and add if you wish, and you'll need a set of handles too. The ones that I used were donated by Susan. I love them.

The bag's finished dimensions are 40cm x 16cm x 30cm (16 x 12 x 6.5 inches). I have been keeping my many, many UFOs in it and let me tell you, you can fit in a fair few!
Myrtle is available to download here on knitonthenet, and costs £4 sterling. Do let me know if you knit one.

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

p.s As we've been asked a few times, here's some extra info. The top in the pictures is called 'Have You Made a Jumper Yet?" and is the first garment in A Stitch in Time, Volume 1. The design is originally from 1921 and Susan included it in the photoshoot as we are planning to do a blog post on how vintage garments can also be worn in a very contemporary way.

All images copyright Arbour House Publishing

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Friday, April 29, 2011

knitonthenet relaunches!

Welcome to the new look knitonthenet!
As many of you may be aware, knitonthenet has been running as somewhat of a skeleton service for some months now. This has enabled us to spend a significant period of time redesigning the site contents – including a complete restructuring – to provide you with a better, more interactive and dynamic site. 

 Knitonthenet is back with a whole new concept, and as you can see, a new look too. Instead of the former issued-led quarterly magazine, we shall be updating the website on a regular basis with patterns, articles and reviews. This means that you won’t have to wait three months for new designs as was the case in the magazine format.

In redesigning the site, we decided on a more streamlined, clean look and have made it easier to navigate by using drop-down menus. All of the same useful features are still available such as the design-chart maker, the resources page and our knitting conversions charts.


Fern by Catherine Wilson
As I’m sure a lot of you know, the decision has been taken after consultation with our pattern designers, that the majority of patterns on the site will no longer be offered free of charge. We feel that it is important that the hard work of the designers is valued and renumerated properly, and that by charging for these patterns we will be able to continue providing well written, appealing knitting and crochet designs. The prices were agreed upon after consideration of the amounts of time involved in both the work of the designers and also that of the knitonthenet team. The purchasable patterns are available through their individual pages to download, whilst the free patterns are available on the website as usual.

 Myrtle knitting bag by Ingrid Murnane
We will be regularly updating the site and shop with new patterns, and also in order to get our whole ‘back catalogue’ online once again, so do sign up to the knitonthenet newsletter (at the top right of each page) so that you can find out automatically when your favourites are back up.

We have some lovely new patterns for you from a range of designers.

Naturally Slouchy by Woolly Wormhead
A great new stashbusting pattern from Woolly Wormhead using a local Lancashire hill sheep wool, a great summer top, Carol by first-time knitonthenet designer Isabelle Boutin, a knitting bag that would double for the beach by Ingrid Murnane, and for crocheters a stunning wrap by Catherine Wilson.

 Carol by Isabelle Boutin
We also have a new free pattern from Sandra Polley, Bertie our British breeds bear. You can also read our review of Sandra’s latest book, Sandra Polley’s Knitted Toys, as well as our interview with her and take advantage of our book offer.

Bertie by Sandra Polley
We do hope that you enjoy the new-look knitonthenet and thank you for waiting for us to relaunch.

Susan, Gavin and Ingrid
The knitonthenet team

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Behind the scenes at knitonthenet

Yarn! Image copyright Ingrid Murnane
 Happy Easter, everyone!
Although it has been a quieter week, here on the blog, conversely it has been a hugely busy one behind the scenes. We are almost set to relaunch knitonthenet with a whole new format, concept and a new look too.

 Gavin, working on knitonthenet. Image copyright Ingrid Murnane
Gavin and I have been working away together for the past week: myself editing and rewriting, checking over pattern details and reviewing all sort of bits and pieces. Gavin has the monumental task of uploading all of the new site's content, putting in the many, many links, ironing out any hitches and making sure the new shop system and the whole site works. But don't think Susan has been slacking! She's busy, busy proofreading patterns for knitonthenet, grading patterns for A Stitch in Time volume 2, and of course knitting away on garments for the book too.

We aim to have the site up and running for you late on Easter Monday, so watch out for an announcement!

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

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