monica brown

The Office Bag

This is my latest felted bag with hardware.  This time, you do not need to make a trip to the hardware store.  Instead, you can make a trip to your local office supply store or maybe even just raid your home office! This bag uses office supplies for embellishments! It also incorporates felted pleats to create a bag so chic you will have all your office mates asking where you bought your new bag!

Yarn: Cascade Yarns, Cascade 220, 100 g balls, each 220 yd / 240m (wool)

4 hanks in color #8422 (teal) 
(It is highly advisable to buy an extra ball to knit a large swatch)

Needle : US #10 or 6.0 mm needles (plus one extra for 3 –Needle Bind-Off) or size to obtain gauge.  A circular needle (US #10/6.0mm) or double pointed needles are needed to create the I-cord straps.

Size: One size

Gauge: 14 sts and 19 rows to 4”/2.5cm in Stockinette Stitch (before felting)

After Felting Measurements
Length (across bottom piece): 18”/45cm
Height: (excluding straps): 8.5”/21.25cm

This pattern is available using PayPal for $5.  To order, click the "Buy Now" button below and the pattern will be emailed to you after purchase.

Mountain Goat Gathered Tunic

Knitted garments that cover your lower half always make me a bit nervous.  But the blend of mohair and wool is perfect for this tunic.  The mohair keeps it from stretching out too much when you sit in it.  The clean simple lines of this tunic are quite slimming.  In addition, the slight gathering above the bust line gives the tunic some visual interest.    This tunic is simple to knit with little shaping.  I also think this tunic would be beautiful for a summer garment in a cotton yarn.

Yarn: Mountain Goat Mountain Colors, 100 gram balls each 230 yd/251 m   (mohair/wool) 

4 (5, 6) in color burgundy

Needle:   US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to get gauge and one similar sized needle for 3-Needle BO

Crochet Hook: H (5 mm)

Gauge: 18 sts and 25 rows to 4”/2.5 cm in St st 

Sizes
S (M, L)

Finished Measurements
Bust = 34 (38, 42)”/85 (95,105) cm
Total Length = 31 (32, 33)”/77.5 (80, 82.5) cm
Hip = 37 (41.5, 46)”/92.5 (103.75, 115) cm

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.

Vintage Clutch

This felted clutch takes felting out on the town!  Felted objects need not be limited to laptop or diaper bags.  Rowan’s Soft Lux is so amazing when it is felted.  The metallic fiber creates just the slightest hint of shimmer.  Ribbon yarn and a metal purse frame pull the clutch together to create an air of sophistication.  It knits so quickly, you can take this clutch out on the town this weekend!    

Yarn: Rowan Yarns Classic, Soft Lux, 50 g balls, each 137 yd/ 125 m (merino wool/ angora/nylon/metallic fiber)
2 balls in color #03 (cashmere)

Lousia Harding Yarns Sari Ribbon, 50 g balls, each 66 yarnds/60 meters (nylon/metallic)
1 ball in color #07 (browns/rose)

Needle: US #9/5.5 mm needles or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 14.5 sts and 20 rows to 4"/10cm in Stockinette Stitch BEFORE FELTING

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.

Svelte Satchel

This svelte satchel takes my addiction to felted bags with hardware to a new level! When I designed this bag, I tried to add as many hardware pieces as I could while creating a stylish handbag! I added buckles, grommets, purse feet, D-rings, and hooks! If all this hardware is not for you, most of the pieces are optional. The knitting part of this project would be a great one to take along to the movie theater.  It is straighforward to knit with three rectangles of stockinette stitch! 

Yarn: Nashua Handknits Julia, 50 g skeins, approximately 97 yd/88 m (alpaca/mohair/wool)

8 balls in color # 8118 (Espresso) and in color # 8126 (Dried Lavender)

Needle: US #8.00 (5 mm) needle or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 16 sts and 21 rows to 4"/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch BEFORE FELTING

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.

Cotonade Wrap

I liked this cropped sweater so much that I knit two of them! It is really versatile! You can wear it pinned in the front as a wrap.  Or you can leave it open in the front and it becomes a swingy cardigan!  The construction of this sweater is a bit unique, which makes it fun to knit.  It is knit in two pieces.  The lower body is a rectangle from the bottom edge up to the armholes.  The upper body is knit from one sleeve across the back to the second sleeve.  The collar is knit after the two pieces have been sewn together. 

Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Cotonade, 50 g balls, approximately 83 yd/ 76 m (cotton)

6 (7, 7, 8, 10) balls in color #648 (Teal)

Needle: US #8 or 5.0 mm needles (plus one extra for 3–Needle Bind-Off) or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 16 sts and 23 rows to  4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch 

Sizes:
XXS, (XS, S, M, L)

Finished Measurements:
Length: 13.5 (15, 16.5, 18.5, 20.5)”/33.75 (37.5, 41.3, 46.3, 51.3) cm
Bust Circumference (worn without fronts meeting at bust):  26 (30, 34, 38, 42)” / 65 (75, 85, 95,105) cm

This pattern is available using PayPal for $5.  To order, click the "Buy Now" button below and the pattern will be emailed to you after purchase.

Lace Stitch Vest

I loved knitting this vest because you basically knit two simple lace panels and then add a waistband! You begin the lace panel at the front, working over the shoulders to the back.   You create “faux” sleeves by casting on and binding off one pattern repeat.  Seaming the pieces at the center back creates a slight opening at the back neck and an open V-neck in the front. After you have completed both panels, you pick up stitches on the lace panel edges to create a waistband.   The only finishing for this project is to sew three seams and weave in your ends!

Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic, 50g balls, each 153 yd/140 m (lambswool/kid mohair/nylon)

4 (4, 5) balls in color #844 (Frilly)

Needle: US 10/6.0mm or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 14 sts and 22 rows to 4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch

Sizes: S (M, L)

Finished Bust Measurements: 41 (49, 57)” /102.5 (122.5, 142.5) cm

The fit of this sweater is relaxed and loose more like a wrap.  The measurements are fairly generous to give the sweater the correct drape.

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.