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I’m revving up the machine (finally) to sew the lining of my Ursula Bag (in a stripey corduroy fabric). Yay I’m so excited. Yay Ursula is so excited.

I plan on making a bag out of the fabric with the same measurements as the knitted bag, and then simply placing it inside and sewing the top edges together. Maybe this is not the best way to do it, but either way I don’t mind. The bag is not structured, it’s supposed to be “floppy,” so I believe it will turn out fine. I will also be sewing a fabric lining to one side of the shoulder strap, to strengthen it.

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In unrelated summer news, I decided to make a summery-top-sweater-thing. The pattern is a Cashmere Lace Blouse from Loop-d-Loop. Subtract the cashmere (too expensive), change the color (to pink!) and take away the bra (um, yeah). It’ll be great summery fun.

Man, knitting sure slows down in the summer, doesn’t it? Like, to a crawl. Wool is just not that enticing when it’s 85 degrees and humid. I have a feeling there will be some sewing going on very soon. But I do have a couple of things to finish up first (ahem)…

Oh yeah, it’s the crochet dress. Crocheting is a little more palatable right now for some reason. Maybe because it’s going to be a lacy thing and not a heavy, fair isle sweater. Plus, I actually read ahead in the pattern (something I really never do), and now I’m even more excited to finish it. I’ve got the back done and started on the front - the skirt is crocheted separately and then apparently joined to the bodice with elastic.

I could go on about how confusing these old-timey directions have been at times, but I think I’ll save it for another post (when the frustration has built a little more).

Also, I am considering shortening the skirt. I mean, I *love* the length it is in the pattern, and the overall evening-dressness of the pattern is a big part of why I was attracted to it in the first place. However, unfortunately I do not have many occasions to wear evening dresses, and I’m afraid I’ll never put the thing on if I make it ankle-length. What to do?

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Next up: Ursula is looking forward to her bag *finally* being finished. So am I.

New York Jogging Bear

Found in: Teddy Bears

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style in Nutmeg, Dusk and Vanilla

Needles: Sizes US2 and US4

Gauge: Didn’t measure

He just needs a little iPod. This was made for my friends who moved to California last week. I will miss them, but I know this guy will help them keep NY in their hearts.

Knitting was straightforward except for the little jogging pants. Since my gauge is always off from what the pattern states on these stuffed toys, I have to improvise when making the clothing, and some times it works out better than others. As for these pants, the crotch was too short when I finished them (you could call them low-riders, or perhaps “plumber pants”). Instead of frogging and starting over, I just picked up stitches from the top and lengthened that part. Aren’t I clever! Or lazy, whatever. Point is, they are finished now and look cute - and he’s not complaining, anyway.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the intarsia on the hoodie is different from the pattern. I changed the font and added the “I heart.” (It originally said “BEAR N.Y.”)

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