Headkerchief pattern

The original pattern is given here.

My notes on it:
-I've been using a size 7 circular and worsted weight cotton (Lion kitchen cotton or Lily sugar 'n' cream). I generally knit two sizes down from the recommended needle to get gauge.
-For a small kerchief, I have the pattern repeat 7 times. For a larger one, I repeat 10 times.
-The pattern is wrong. Pattern stitch row 5 should be:
Row 5: Sl1, YO, K5, *YO, K2tog, K4*, repeat section between stars until 1 st remains, YO, K1.
-After the last pattern repeat, I knit across once, then cast on 20, then purl back across that strap, the K1P1 rib for the length of the body of the kerchief, then I cast on another 20 for the other strap. I knit back across it, K1P1 rib the body, knit the other strap, and bind off the whole thing in whatever pattern was established. This makes the straps non-stretchy, and prevents the edge from curling. I considered seed stitch instead of rib, but it didn't look as good.

The String Bag Entry

So, I've been trying to knit/make myself a string bag. This has not been anywhere near as easy as I would like. This entry will be updated as the project evolves.

I'm looking for something that crushes up small and light, so that I can carry one around in my backpack and substitute it for the multitude of plastic bags that everything comes in. It should also be cheap to make, since I want to make several. This also means no special yarns.

String and Air Attempt
Pattern: here
Material: sport weight 100% cotton in beige
Needles: finally settled on 16" size 10 circulars
Problems: It's really hard to do the move from one round to the next with the double yarn over in the one instance. I tried putting a single extra knit at the end of the round, which should leave a "seam" of knits up the side, but I kept losing it! So finally I gave up.

Magknits Attempt
Pattern: here
Material: Worsted wheight 100% cotton in white
Needles: 36" size 15 circulars
Problems: It's really hard to get this stitch to look as nice as the one in the picture in the pattern. I'm not sure I like it very much. I may need a smaller needle, or to pull tighter, but it's hard to work this stitch tightly.

The Sydney bag; or the bag that I ended up making several of
My friend Ursula tried to make this bag. It is an old pattern from Australia, referenced by this link. After the cut at the bottom of the page, Ursula's rewrite and improvement of the pattern is given. She made it in worsted weight cotton, and it is huge. It balls up neatly into its bottom, and makes a nice contained lump, just like in the picture. It is totally cool.
These links are from Ursula:
Ursula's pattern and updates are now here.
Short pattern here
sizing here

My notes on string bag in expensive cotton here.
My preliminary notes on string bag in number 3 crochet cotton here.
More notes on string bag in number 3 crochet cotton here.

Other notes on this bag are below the lj-cut.


Other pattern links
Lily's pattern The problem here is that I'm looking for something I can jam in my backpack and use as needed, and this seems much too bulky.
Frugalhaus pattern I'd forgotten about this one. It looks like a good one to try next!
Fresco yarn But I'm trying not to buy new yarn for this project.
from a Sydney TV station knitted and crocheted. Possibilities!
Two more which are probably a little too thick for what I want, and I'd have to substitute for the acrylic. I prefer not to use acrylic worsted unless I absolutely have to. If you're interested in these, I'd suggest saving/printing the patterns, as they are archived and might not be around later.
This one looks like what I'm looking to make. Again, it's probably harder than it looks. It's Turkish stitch again.
Coats & Clark pattern. Again, this is an archive, so grab it if you want to keep it.
added 5-1-07: Canadian Living String Bag This one looks nice; I am thinking I'll try it.

General bag link collections
http://home.inreach.com/marthac/totes.html
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/bags_totes_purses.php
http://knitting.about.com/library/blmiscbags.htm

Other ideas
Make up a pattern with triple crochets and the worsted or sport weight cotton and the size M, N, or P crochet needle.
If I learn to net, I could make this one.



( Ursula's pattern V8-8 )