After a day at the Shore, I had a brain wave: the bike needs a new handlebar bag. Something like a cross between the Rivendell Bicycle Works classic Baggins Candy Bar Bag and the felted Noni Tube Baguette, except more Jersey Shore, less Northern California or South Beach. And wavy. Must be wavy!
So I've been swatching stripe patterns using Lily Chin's New Shale variation on Old Shale; the yarn is Cascade 220. Pictured is the purl side of the third attempt, which I think is a keeper. I also felted a swatch, to make certain the natural white would behave itself (it did). The stitch pattern is easily memorized (good for surfing the Internet), but all this swatching feels like making endless mini-afghans!
The biggest technical challenge looming is the straps that attach the bag to the bicycle handlebars. I'd like to use two grosgrain watchbands (maybe in Stripe 18?), but Velcro webbing is probably more practical. *Le sigh*.
For notions and lining, I was thinking of these über-cute goldfish bowl buttons from Modern Yarn and these Heather Ross fabrics from Purl Patchwork. I love how all the goldfish have names.
But I'm beginning to think they're too wistful and something a little more gutsy is needed, something with a mid-century vibe as strong as a ripple afghan. Stay tuned.
4 comments:
Too cool on the swatching.
Maybe a denim liner - you want something that can stand up to being hung from the handlebars and the weight of the contents.
Love the yarn you are knitting with!
I an unrelated knitting question--how do you insert the oomhlat over a letter--?????????
I think the swatch looks great, and agree that a denim liner sounds like a good idea. The fishbowl buttons? Well, they are adorable, it's true, but I don't know . . . it seems almost cruel to put a fishbowl on top of all those waves, like it's teasing the poor little fish that can't go for a REAL swim.... (ahem) But maybe that's just me!
Do I see a fish named Helen? Bwhahahahahhaaa!
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