Ozark Handspun News

Artisan-crafted homespun yarn made in Missouri, USA.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Pattern: Ozark Pumpkin Bag

Description: This fun felted bag is shaped like a giant pumpkin and is wonderful as a project bag or even a whimsical diaper bag for the young mother. it is a fun knit and felts easily. It can be embellished in many different ways including the way this version is done with a piece of Ozark Mane, feathers and Raku button.
Abbreviations: CO=cast on; BO=bind off; sts=stitches; k=knit; p=purl; kfb=knit if front and back; PM=place marker; SM=slip marker; k2tog=knit 2 together; ssk= slip, slip, knit); M=make knit stitch
Gauge: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 sts approximately per inch using size US 13 32 inch circular needles.

MATERIALS:
7 Skeins of Reynolds Original Lopi, 100% Icelandic Wool, 100g=approx. 110 yds.
1 Pair US Size 13-3 inch circular needles
1 US Size J crochet hook
1 Ozark Mane
Feathers
Raku button
Tapestry needle
6 Stitch markers (one of a different color for beginning of row.)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Using Us Size 13 circular knitting needles and single strand of Lopi yarn, CO 26 sts.
(WS) Row 1: K13 sts, PM, k13 sts. Note: bottom of bag will be done in garter stitch.
(RS) Row 2: Kfb, knit until one st remains, kfb.
Row 3: Knit.
Rows 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18: Kfb, knit to last st, kfb.
Rows 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19: knit. Note: You should have 43 sts on needles when row 19 is complete.
Row 20: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.
Row 21: Knit.
Rows 22,24,26,28,30,32,34,36: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.
Rows 23,25,27,29,31,33,35,37: Knit. Note: At this point, you should have 26 sts on needles.
Row 38: Pick up and k17 PM; pick up and k17 sts, PM; pick up and k26 sts, PM; pick up and k17 sts, PM; pick up and k17 sts, PM; pick up and knit 26 sts, PM (different color as this is beginning of row marker.
Rows 39-41: Knit.
Row 42: *K1, M1, repeat from * to end of row. (258 sts)
Row 43: Knit.
Row 44: *K5, M1, repeat from * to end of row. (303 sts)
Row 45: Knit.
R0w 46: *K10, M1, repeat from * to end of row. (326 sts)
Rows 47-56: Knit.
Row 57: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 58-62: Knit.
Row 63: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row. (166 sts)
Rows 64-68: Knit. Note: At this point, if you require more decreases, do so randomly, resulting in a total of 102 sts on your needles at end of row.
For next six rows, alternate one row of knit and one row of purl.
Flap: Row 1: K66 sts; BO 36 sts loosely.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last two sts, ssk.
Row 4. Purl.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 alternately until flap measures about 7 or 8 inches depending on your preference. BO loosely, cut yarn and fasten off, burying ends.
Straps: CO 9 sts and knit I-cord in usual fashion measuring about 36 inches long. Make three of these I-cords. When complete, braid together loosely and sew together at the ends. Set Aside.
Next, using the US size J crochet hook, attach yarn at side of bag where flap and forward part of bag come together, chain 10 and attach creating a loop. Repeat on the other side. Now, using tapestry needle, place I-cord braid through the loop and sew in place. Repeat on other side.
Felting (Fulling): At this point, wet bag thoroughly and squirt a bit of soap on the bag, placing into a lingerie bag and then put into the washer set on lowest setting ad warmest water. Allow to agitate, checking frequently and make sure not to allow to go through all the cycles. When felting process looks the way you like, remove, rinse thoroughly and squeeze excess water from bag with towels (do not wring) and then fill with towels to hold shape and allow to dry.
FINISHING: The flap can now be embellished using Ozark Mane or Ozark Handspun yarns and feathers to create a dramatic effect. Flap embellishment suggestions include needlefelting handspun yarns, buttons and whatever strikes your imagination.
designed by Janice Rosema for Ozark Handspun December 2007
Printing Instructions: To print this pattern, click Ozark Great Pumpkin Bag.pdf.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Pattern: Ozark Circle Purse

MATERIALS:
3 Skeins Ozark Handspun Opulent or Yarn
1 Bag Ozark Brambles
1/2 yard Ozark Felted Fabric
1 Bone Bead (minimum 1 inch)
1 Pair leather handles
1 10 inch zipper
1/2 yard fabric
1 Pair US Size 17 knitting needles
1 US Size **********crochet hook
Stitch holders
1 Tapestry needle
Thread
Trim Yarn
Optional: 1 Muench leather flower

INSTRUCTIONS:
*Using Ozark Handspun and US size ************ crochet hook, ch 6, sl st to form ring.
Row 1: Sc 12 sts into ring.
Row 2: 2 sc into each st.
Repeat row 2 until piece measures 9 inches in diameter. Cast off.
Repeat from * to make a second piece.
Side Vents: Using Ozark Handspun and US Size 17 knitting needles, cast on 8 sts. Knit for 20 inches.******************
Next row: Knit 4 stitches. Place stitch holder on remaining 4 stitches.
Knit for 10 inches. Bind off. (This is the opening for the zipper.)
Pick up stitches on stitch holder. Knit 4 stitches. Knit for 10 inches. Bind off.
Sew to the beginning of the vent creating a circle.
Finishing: Using Ozark Handspun, US Size ************* crochet hook, one round piece and the vent, sc 3, dc 3 in the next stitch around each circle to attach to each side of the vent. Bind off. Repeat for other side. You now have a circle in the back and a circle in the front of the purse. Using a back stitch and the needle and thread attach the zipper to the openig in the vent. Place your leather handles at the op of each circle. They should be in the center of the zipper opening.
Lining: Cut out two circles with a 10 inch diameter. This allows a half inch seam on the edge. Cut a piece of fabric 5 inch by 30 inches. Seam the bottom of the strip, fold it in half and cut an 11 inch strip in the center (this is where you will place it over the zipper in your bag.) Slip stitch it in place. Sew the edges of the curcle to the strip using a half inch seam allowance. If you do this by hand, use a back stitch. Place the lining inside the purse (remember to put the wrong side of the lining and wrong side of the purse together.) Position the zipper opening of the lining over the zipper and back stitch in place.
Embellishments: On the front side of the purse, make a center ring with the trim yarn using the US size ************* crochet hook, ch8, then 16 sc into the ring. Sew in the ceter of the bag. Using Ozark Brambles and the crochet hook, weave the Brambles on the front of the bag. Tug them to make sure they are secure. Position the feathers on one side of the ring and sew the leather flower in place. Attach the bead to the zipper pull. Make a pom-pom and attach to the bead.

Designer notes: this bag lends itself to many different emellishments. Just have fun! You can use buttons, beads, flowers or anything that pleases you to finish this. You can also leave it plain or add a cell phone pocket.

designed by L. Leslie Designs for Ozark Handspun, October 2008

Printing Instructions: To print this pattern, click Ozark_Circle_Purse.pdf.

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