kitty on my wrist and I wanna touch it
My friend Michelle likes kitties. (She also likes potatoes, but I’ve yet to see potato-themed fabric out there … if you know of any, please do let me know.)
Anyhoo, Michelle requested that I make her a special wristband. We’ll probably go through several versions before I get it right, but for this first prototype, I used kitties.
See, it holds her Chicago public transit pass for when she’s out and about and not carrying a bag.
She runs marathons, and spends a heap of time training for them, so ultimately I hope to make a version that’s sweat and chafe-resistant. I am a clueless lump when it comes to outdoor exercise, so any suggestions re: fabric, construction, etc. would be very welcome. (Angela, I’m looking at you!)
In other crafty news, I ripped out my 2 feet of crocheted ripple afghan. I took this photo mid-frog.
I thought I was a ripple gal and, aesthetically, I still am. But I guess I’m a process crocheter, because I’m bowing to the fact that I’ll have much more fun making granny squares with all those scraps. So goodbye ripple-along, hello granny-along!
Oh, and I finished a Zokni!
I changed the cuff from rib to twisted rib, and did an eye of partridge heel. Otherwise, I stuck to the pattern, which is fabulous fun to knit — it never got boring. Thanks Minty!
But you all were right. Knit Picks Gloss is crappy. I wasn’t even past the heel when it started to pill like a Forever 21 cardigan. And I don’t have high hopes for its durability.
Perking me up from that disappointment is the drop spindle that Bethe so generously sent to me this week. Thanks Bethe!! I can’t wait to start learning. Any good suggestions for how to learn to spin on a drop spindle?
So, to sum up: Wristband. Ripple. Sock. Spindle.
Also, begging for advice re:
(1) potato fabric
(2) runner-friendly materials
(3) drop spindle spinning
Thanks all! xo
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June 21st, 2007 at 4:42 am
Potato fabric. Worship my google-fu.
Bye, ripple!
June 21st, 2007 at 4:43 am
Do not, however, worship my code-fu. Here it is:
http://www.snowflake-designs.com/
kyle’s%20marketplace%20potatoes.htm
June 21st, 2007 at 4:53 am
I love the wristband, what a great idea! I’ve currently traded in my wallet for a little plastic pocket that is just big enough for my license and debit card and man, it is awesome. So much less clutter.
My late great grandmother had one blouse in particular I remember from growing up, because it always looked like potatoes to me. It was a dark brown fabric with potato shapes (think “organic polka dots” maybe) in off-white with a little orange shadow. Maybe you’d have some luck if you hit up the thrift store!
June 21st, 2007 at 4:56 am
Cotton terrycloth? Cotton jersey? Both seem runner-friendly. Good luck in finding the potato fabric.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:32 am
Love the Zokni. I think the yarn you chose really shows off the pattern well. Looking forward to hearing that spinning advice. I have a little drop spindle and some roving I’m afraid to ruin.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:02 am
1. Not huge pieces, but there are potatoes: http://www.snowflake-designs.com/kyle’s%20marketplace%20potatoes.htm
2. It’s nice when the fabric you are wearing wicks away moisture…allegedly (micro-jersey? I am not sure how easy or difficult this would be to find at a fabric store).
3. I love Lee Raven’s book. It’s been my spindling bible: http://www.interweave.com/spin/books/spin_it.asp
a. I love the kitty wristband, nice work.
b. Zokni is gorgeous.
c. KP Gloss…sigh.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:43 am
I can’t give you any advise re the wrist thingy, but I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU FROGGED YOUR RIPPLE BLANKET!! I feel like crying now…
June 21st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Forever 21 cardigan…you are so funny! Your Zokni is gorgeous, love the color. I have to say that most Knitpicks yarn is disappointing to me, I always want to love it but end up feeling dissatisfied!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:19 pm
HAHAHA, a summary, such a good T.A.!
And good comparison on the Gloss. I stupidly chose it for my Thermal because I was so excited about a sweater under 30 bucks. How can Knit Picks make the best needles around but the lamest yarn?
June 21st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
heh, you summed that up like at the end of a lecture!
Lovely sock, even though the yarn be crappy. I didn’t like Knitpicks dancing either.
Lovely idea for the wristband, btw!
June 21st, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Oh please share the runner-friendly materials with us. There’s an iPod Shuffle armpad prototype that’s sitting in my craft room because I got lazy. It’s for my Mom, so at some point I should probably finish it. Anyway … I’d love to share in the bounty. Thanks!
June 21st, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Potato-prints of kitties. Just to cover all your bases.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I don’t suppose radishes would do? The potato is clearly an artistically neglected vegetable.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Love the zonki! I have no advice on the other questions.
Sorry about your afghan. It’s a shame you had to rip it! I really like the colors you’re using!
June 21st, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Love the socks. I tried that pattern, but just couldn’t find the mojo. Minty does such a nice job, I know I’ll try it again.
As for the running, just breathable and light weight.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I can’t help you at all on #s 1-3. I’m as clueless as you!
The sock looks lovely, as does the wristlet. I’m sorry the KP Gloss is so splitty. I’ve has no pilling with my Gloss, but maybe I was just lucky. I wonder how those who have used it for Thermal pattern are faring. Hmm.
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 am
Kitty wristlet is rad. I should have one of those on me at all times, as I tend to forget my metro card at least once a week. And the potato fabric? Hmm. Not convinced. And your Zonki is fantabulous! I’m sure I have some pretty green yarn around here somewhere to whip one of those up! And I am not too sad about your ripple, as crochet is one of those great mysteries to me.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:34 am
Wow, thanks for the summary. I needed it
1) How about potato chip fabric? I couldn’t find any potato fabric online.
2) Sorry you ripped your ripple. But at least you were able to admit you didn’t want to keep knitting it!
3) That is one lovely single sock.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I can’t help much on the potato fabric (maybe something with french fries?) and I’m a crappy spinner, but I can help with #2.
I have a running wristband that has a terry interior and a nylon exterior/pocket with a reflective stripe (safe for night running) and it works pretty well. You might be able to start with a tennis-style wrist sweatband as your base layer. The big thing to worry about for a distance runner is that there are no chafey edges or corners, because over time they will rub too much. And a pocket big enough for a key and a bit of cash or metrocard is perfect.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:05 am
Great wristlet. Sorry I don’t know about potato fabric. Or runner-friendly materials. Or drop spindle spinning. But, hey, your sock is fabulous! I hope the Gloss wears better than you think.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Gloss pills like a mofo? I had no idea - thanks for the heads-up, I was considering buying some because I heart the shiny. You must buy some of that potato fabric that ashley posted, hee!
June 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
what a cute wristlet idea! I would think something breathable and flexible would be good for runners….
June 25th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
The Zokni is stunning! Love the wristband, too. Hmm, for the exercise version - maybe Cascade Fixation? Or Panda cotton? Panda cotton is lighter weight than fixation and has bamboo in it, so it’s much yummier.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:35 am
love the socks! yeah for you. aren’t socks addictive?
June 26th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Oooh, good question! Definitely would stray away from 100% cotton. I’d try to find ripstop nylon or something. You might even see if you can seek out some really thin lightweight merino since it actually wicks sweat.
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