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06/26/2006
Counterpane Weekend
I didn't waste any time using some of that Estes Park haul. I grabbed that Riata yarn from Brooks Farm Yarn and got down to Counterpane Carpet Bag biz-niz.
I have been in love with this bag since I got Handknit Holidays for Christmas. So for the past 6 months, I have been searching for the 'perfect yarn.' And boy, was I picky...I didn't want yarn that was too stripey. I wanted yarn that was antique-y looking. I didn't want yarn that was too dark. I wanted this, I didn't want that. Picky, picky, picky.
At Estes Park, my primary mission was to find that elusive 'perfect yarn' for this bag. And while shopping in that big barn full of kiosks and yarn vendors, the heavens parted. I found the Riata. Can I get a "Hallelujah"?! So I saw, I bought, I knit.
This weekend, I quickly knitted up one side of the Counterpane Carpet Bag.
There is, however, a hitch. The pattern in the book calls for 800 yards of the La Lana Forever Random Blends. I have maybe used 200 yards for one side. I mean, that is a HUGE discrepency. They yarns are not that different in weight:
Forever Random Blends: 40 yards/oz
Riata: 45.6 yards/oz
Now don't get me wrong, I love my bag as is. It's just the Nancy Drew in me refuses to let this mystery die. Any ideas?
21:04 Posted in Counterpane Carpet Bag | Permalink | Comments (13) | Email this
Comments
That is GORGEOUS! I have no solution to the mystery, but if that means you have lots of leftovers I'm happy to offer to take them off your hands, if I have anything you want to trade for.
You know, to do you a favor :)
Posted by: Ashley | 06/26/2006
Hallelujah! Its a perfect match, your bag is going to be fabulous!!
Is riata a different weight than forever random blends? If not, maybe forever random blends blended one to many cocktails ; )
Posted by: Amanda Cathleen | 06/26/2006
I don't know the answer to the mystery, but that bag is absolutely gorgeous! Looks like you held out for just the right yarn.
Posted by: Lauren | 06/27/2006
Did you check your gauge? It might be that the Riata knits up less... also, it's possible that the pattern tells you to get how ever many balls and then it gives a yardage, but that the yardage is for whole balls, not for what you actually use.
Posted by: Miriam | 06/27/2006
Great job! I usually use less yarn than most patterns call for but in your case that's a bit crazy. Everyone does knit differently and yarns will work up very differently, too. Chalk it up to good fortune;-)
Posted by: margene | 06/27/2006
Gorgeous! Love it! I am GREEN with envy! Wish I had the time to start on a project like that!
Posted by: Cassi-Lou | 06/27/2006
No idea on the mistery, but the bag is looking awesome!
Being picky really paid off.
Posted by: isel | 06/27/2006
The bag is looking great! Don't know the answer to the mystery - but leftover Brooks Farm can't be a bad thing. :)
Posted by: Amy Artisan | 06/27/2006
Really outstanding! I love your yarn choice for this project and understand how you can just love Brooks Farm yarn.
Hmm...no idea why the yardage is so off? How big is your bag in relation to you. The one in the book looks bigger but maybe that is because your bag is posing next to the book? Dunno? Leftover BF yarn can't be a bad thing. You'll have to knit the little pouch too :-)
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | 06/28/2006
I've really wanted to knit that bag too, but am sort of waiting for the right yarn as well. I love the way yours turned out. BRING IT TO S'N'B!!!
Posted by: KatherineOfItAll | 06/28/2006
Hi there! Just wanted to say that I love your blog! You always have such fabulous projects and yarns to share! I have been inspired by the circular shrug in your past Lemonades column and have been trying to replicate it. I checked craftster for the pattern and located it, but now I can’t figure out what to do once I’m done with the knitting part. Hw do I seam it correctly to make the armholes? Can you help me with this, if you remember? I would so appreciate it! Thanks! P.S...I LOVE the Counterpane Carpet Bag! How chic!
Posted by: Kristine | 06/30/2006
Not sure why there is so much of a yarn discrepancy. The counterpane bag looks great though!
Posted by: Wanda | 07/04/2006
Wow love the color choice on your bag. It looks great.
Posted by: Tami | 07/08/2006
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