Cotton Yarn Knitting

Can anyone recommend a good string bag pattern? I'd like to make some eco-friendly string bags to use in lieu of plastic grocery bags when I shop. I have some sugar 'n' cream yarn (cotton worsted) to use for this project. I knit and crochet, so either sort of pattern would be fine. I'm looking for something that doesn't take forever to make, has a moderate capacity, and is strong enough to hold a half gallon of milk or some canned goods. Patterns can be off the web, of your own devising, or recommending a book with a good pattern would be fine too. Thanks for your help! Dishcloth cotton (Peaches & Crème, Sugar 'n Cream, etc.) is perfect for this project. If you weren't stashbusting, I'd suggest buying some hemp or flax. A bag crocheted out of plastic shopping bags would be way too weak to hold canned goods, much less milk. Knitting: Saturday Market Bag from MagKnits http://www.magknits.com/June06/patterns/market.htm modifications: http://disdressed.blogspot.com/2006/08/string-bag.html Turkish Stitch String Bag http://tiajudy.com/stringbag.htm Quick String Bag (two sizes, but no picture) http://www.northtipton.com/pattern.htm Eco-Friendly Expandable Shopping Bag from Lion Brand http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/BK4K-0702003.html Crochet: String Bag from Lily Sugar 'n Cream http://www.sugarncream.com/pattern.php?PID=133 (registration required) 1933 vintage pattern http://www.abc.net.au/sydney/simonmarnie/img/bagpattern.jpg A more substantial bag from Bernat http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=2325 (registration required)

34 J P Coats Clark 10 Cotton Crochet Thread yarn NEW lot 3 Knit cro sheen 10 Cashmere Cotton Salmon Color Knitting Crochet Yarn LOT 3 SHADES CLEA ORANGE TANGERINE 10 CROCHET COTTON KNITTING THREADS YARN 1050gSkeins Soft Bamboo Cotton Silk Knitting Mix color Yarn Lot500gwhite gray SOUTH MAID COTTON 8 KNIT CROCHET YARN CREME 10 balls GREEN GREY RUST BLACK NORO FURIN silk cotton wool knitting yarn 1 10 balls BLUE and WHITE DEBBIE BLISS COTTON DENIM ARAN knitting yarn 14502 10 balls NAVY and WHITE DEBBIE BLISS COTTON DENIM ARAN knitting yarn 14503 10 balls GREY and WHITE DEBBIE BLISS COTTON DENIM ARAN knitting yarn 14504 10 balls BLUE DEBBIE BLISS COTTON DENIM ARAN knitting yarn 14509 10 balls BLACK DEBBIE BLISS COTTON DENIM ARAN knitting yarn 14511 10 balls GREY NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 2 10 balls PINK NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 4 10 balls GREEN NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 8 10 balls TURQUOISE NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 12 10 balls RUST NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 14 10 balls PURPLE NORO SHIRAKABA silk wool cotton knitting yarn color 16 10 balls YELLOW SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK knitting yarn color 0152 10 balls LIME SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK knitting yarn color 0153 10 balls BLUE SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK DK knitting yarn color 0154 10 balls WHITE SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK knitting yarn color 0156 10 balls PINK SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK DK knitting yarn color 0157 10 balls STRAWBERRY SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK DK knitting yarn color 0183 10 balls LILAC SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK DK knitting yarn color 0185 10 balls PERIWINKLE SUBLIME BABY COTTON KAPOK DK knitting yarn color 0186 Rag Rug Weft Knit Roping Cotton Blend Weaving rope yarn red 20 lb lot Rag Rug Weft Knit Roping Cotton Blend Weaving yarn 20 lb lot Rag Rug Weft Knit Roping Cotton Blend Weaving rope yarn huge 20 lb lot 1050gSkeins Soft Bamboo Cotton Silk Knitting Mix color Yarn Lot500gwhite bule 1050g Skeins Soft Bamboo Cotton Silk Knitting Mix color Yarn Lot500gyellow 10 skeins NORO TANABATA silk wool rayon cotton nylon knitting yarn color 2 10 skeins NORO TANABATA silk wool rayon cotton nylon knitting yarn color 3 10 skeins NORO TANABATA silk wool rayon cotton nylon knitting yarn color 4 10 skeins NORO TANABATA silk wool rayon cotton nylon knitting yarn color 5 10 skeins NORO TANABATA silk wool rayon cotton nylon knitting yarn color 6 10 balls PINK BLUE YELLOW KATIA cable cotton knitting yarn 2 lbs color 8 10 balls BLUE ROSE LILAC ORANGE KATIA cable cotton knitting yarn 2 lbs color 10 10 balls GREY and WHITE KATIA cable cotton knitting yarn 2 lbs color 18 10 balls BEIGE KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2603 10 balls GREY KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2608 10 balls YELLOW KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2615 10 balls ORANGE KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2616 10 balls GREEN KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2620 10 balls NAVY KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2605 10 balls LILAC KATIA ECO COTTON certified organic knitting yarn color 2612 10 balls PINK and WHITE KATIA CANDY cotton fingering knitting yarn color 650 10 balls BLUE and WHITE KATIA CANDY cotton fingering knitting yarn color 655

Learning How To Knit With The Basics

So have you caught the knitting bug? Have you learned the basic stitches and are now wondering what to do? With a little practice and tips from experienced knitters, you can be creating awesome creations in no time.

Once you learn three basic techniques you will find that there are numerous projects you can learn to knit. The three basic foundations of knitting are casting on, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you master these three techniques you can begin to add more advanced knitting skills.

You can learn the basic stitches from other knitters, online or from a book. You can truly only become a functional knitter from practicing as much as possible.

Starting out you will want to use medium gauge wool yarn which is the easiest yarn to start out with. It may not be the prettiest, flashiest novelty yarn, but it's the easiest yarn to learn how to knit with. You do not want to use cotton since it has no give in it. Wool has just a bit of stretch so it is much easier to learn with.

Your local yarn shop is a great place for both beginners and veteran knitters. It is an excellent place to have your questions answered when you begin to choose your yarns and patterns.

Knitting has always been a social hobby. Similar to scrap booking where women meet to work on their scrap booking in gatherings called "crops", knitters have sessions called "stitch and bitch". Women bring their projects, knit together and chat.

These knitting groups are a great place to learn to knit from experienced knitters. They can give you advice and show you hands on skills. Advanced knitters are also able to improve their skills by watching the talents of others who can share various techniques.  

Lessons are a great way to learn basic knitting skills. It is usually worth the money to have someone teach the knit and purl stitches. The local shop usually offers individual or group beginning knitter classes. It will take you just one or two classes before you feel confident enough to attempt an easy project. Of course, outside of class you will want to practice as much as possible.

When you start to knit you will not really begin with a project. Most likely you will learn by knitting a swatch about 2 feet long just for practice. Once you can complete that you will rip it all out, roll it up and start all over again. It is not necessarily fun but you will begin to feel comfortable with the knit and purl stitches. You should not start a real project until you can successfully knit the swatch with no dropped stitches or gaping holes.

The easiest first project is a scarf. It is simple and you really do not have to worry too much about gauge. It is the best project to begin with to practice your skill. If it is summer and a scarf does not sound too appealing, try a decorative scarf in a lightweight cotton yarn that can be used in place of a necklace, or used as a belt.

Knitting is a really fun hobby. You will find it relaxing and enjoyable. You will love all the colors and textures of fibers available. You will love to make things and give them as gifts. Knitting is a great hobby for all seasons and all ages.

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For tips on daisy tree and daisy varieties, visit the Types Of Daisies website.