Friday, March 19, 2010

Fair Isling - The Verb ..... and THE KNIT IT FELT IT ZIP IT BAG - Kristin's newest downloadable pattern

I'm still in my Fair Isle Rut, as I call it. Let me explain.....

Webster's definition for a rut is:
1 a : a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage b : a groove in which something runs c : channel, furrow
2
: a usual or fixed practice; especially : a monotonous routine

Upon looking the word "rut" up on-line, I discovered that both of the definitions would be approriate for my current, several year long fascination with Fair Isle knitting. When I use the term "Fair Isle Rut", I was thinking of the second definition - a monotonous routine. Upon reading the first definition though, I realized that this description would also be appropriate for Fair Isle knitting - when you knit Fair Isle, following the little charts - you certainly are getting into a groove.

And that's exactly what I love about "Fair Isling" - the rhythm and repetition that is repeated over and over and over. Knitting in this way, following the little charts and watching the pattern grown before my eyes, is just darn mesmerizing. And when I combine Fair Isling with my love of experimenting with colors, I am a happy knitter.

My life, like yours, is pretty busy. Besides writing books and designing, helping out The Farmer with the sheep, raising a kid and doing a bit of teaching, I have about zero time to actually knit. I have to fit it in somehow though, otherwise there will be no money dribbling in. Usually I knit at night, late into the evening after everyone has gone to bed. I also carry my projects everywhere, in case I have a free moment - stuck waiting for an appointment. You know, you're probably just like me. I hate to be stuck anywhere without my knitting.

Today, I'm introducing the newest addition to my on-line store - The Knit It Felt It Zip It Bag knit in my Julia Yarn, of course. This is a great project for beginning Fair Isle knitters. It is small (although it comes sized in four sizes) and quick to knit. Because the projects are felted, any irregularity and beginning knitter's tension disappears into the fabric after it is felted in a washing machine. The bags are worked on circular needles which makes the Fair Isling easy to work. Here's what the cover looks like....


There is a bonus section of how-tos including Knitting in the Fair Isle Way and Choosing Colors Successfully. I've even included extra charts for when you finish knitting the 3 designs photographed and you need to keep going to feed your new Fair Isle passion. Lori (my fabulous tech editor) has deemed the project suitable for beginners! And what a fun beginners colorwork project this is. There are 27 project photographs, including a detailed zipper tutorial. All for $6.00 - which I liken to less than two cappucinos. What a deal. Besides, you'll learn something along the way. (Coffee for beginners might be needed although not a pre-requisite.) You can purchase the pattern in my shop here. More pattern information here on my Julia Yarn page.

You'll find all kinds of uses for the bags including pencils, pens and art supplies.....


Knitting stuff - A knitted bag to carry your knitting stuff - how fun......


Or game pieces if you travel with your entertainment. Or lipstick, or change.... the list goes on and on.....


Make a bunch of them - they make lovely gifts!


Available in my on-line shop here.

Good weekend, everyone!

12 comments:

Jennifer said...

I love these!

fale artut said...

So Nice! Really Happy Bags!

Val Reaves said...

These little bags are just wonderful!! I bought your Colors book and just love it! I love the addition of embroidery,..I just can't leave things alone, I have to further embellish.. I so enjoy your postings.
Val in Kansas :-)

Jessica said...

oooh...love these and I wanted to tey Fair Isle- this will def go on my "Must Knit" list!!

emeselle said...

Thank you for a fun weekend project and the perfect opportunity to learn to fair isle (verb.) This is a lovely pattern and a great value, it's printing as I write and I can't wait to sit down and read it.

Frances said...

It's a pleasure to see these lovely color combos. The harmonies are marvelous.

Your reference to fair isle and the word rut somehow took me back decades to a discussion in my high school calculus class. (This would have been around 1962.) We compared the notion of being in a rut to being in a groove.

Were we not a bit ahead of a very huge curve?

Best wishes!

Barb in WI said...

Beautiful bags! Just printed out my download and am going to sit down with a mug of tea to study it. You took the words right out of my mouth--I too have long been fascinated by Fair Isle, and it's my favorite type of knitting--especially in the great color combinations you use.

Laurie said...

Cute bags! I haven't FairIsled since the early 90s when I knit a sweater, declared myself burned out on both FairIsling AND knitting sweaters, and stopped doing both. I do enjoy Fair Isle though, and this looks like just the thing to get me back in the game!

Linda said...

Oooh I LOVE the bags, I know exactly what to use my Julia yarn for now! I enjoyed meeting you very much today! It was such a pleasurable day at The Fiber Loft - Thank you!!!

Manise said...

Cute bags! It was lovely meeting you yesterday at the Fiber Loft! Such fun. Thank you! Currently knitting a pair of Be Happy, Be Colorful Socks- I couldn't make up my mind on the color choices for the mittens-lol. Those will be next. :-)

ColorJoy LynnH said...

I can not quite understand "monotonous" with colorwork. Doesn't that word come from "monotone" or single-colored?

You may be repeating, but surely you are not bored and surely you are without mono-tone designs.

Maybe I'm just being picky. I adore the new design, what a fresh idea!

viagra online said...

My children lose every day their color pencil. so I think that this bag would help to their to keep this pencil and help to me to spend less money.

Kristin Is Now Writing Over on Substack

Hi All! A quick note to let you all know that I'm now writing a Newsletter over on Substack: Kristin Nicholas' Colorful Newsletter f...