Way off target.
by Fraeulein
by Fräulein @ FrauleinM@aol.com
I purchased those Knifty Knitter rings when they were first popular. I got one for making blankets as a gift. After looking at it, I had thought it would also be easy to make knitted bags. I had made dozens of tubes with the knitter rings. So making a larger tube would be no problem.
And I say tubes, because I have yet to make anything like a sweater or even a decent pair of socks with those knitting rings. Everything is a tube.
I had decided I was going to “upcycle” Target bags into a Target bag. This was before they even offered their own “upcycled” bags and before the word “upcycle” became a buzzword. It was going to be similar to cheap string bags. But this would be cool, and able to hold much more. I would be oh so trendy carrying my groceries and what not in this bag.
I figured I would make the “yarn” the exact width of the little dots on the bags. They were an excellent guidleine for cutting.
I also had some red plastic discs that were going to be the handles. The size of these discs were perfect for the size of bag. It was going to kitschy and cute. The sides of the bag were going to be supported by the large red targets.
It started out fine. But by the bottom fourth I realized that while the dots were perfect as a cutting guideline, it made the yarn bulky. I had trouble keeping the tension the same throughout the project. It started to look like some bizarre doormat or those stadium seat cushions you would make in girl scouts, out of two vinyl placemats. I also briefly removed it from the loom to see what could fit into the bag and how it would hold up to a gallon of milk. Only a large milk jug would fit into the bag. The tension was to tight and did not allow much flexibility or expansion. So it is basically a milk jug cozy.
The bag’s death knell came a year later when I was at Target, standing in the checkout and saw their recycled bags.
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That’s actually a GOOD idea, using the loom. Just make the yarn thiner, or use a larger loom. It only failed at being what you wanted it to be; I have a purse made out of this, and it’s awesome.
Keep trying!
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Death knell nothing, girlfriend–this was an original idea and you should stick with it! After all, it’s gonna be your own handmade one, not Target’s. That’s always way more satisfying! Not a fail, just a first draft.
Sharon CBL’s last blog post..Shrinky Stinks: The sequel
It’s not so bad, it’s just… not awesome. LOL I have that problem all the time. :-\ It’s hard to get ANYTHING awesome out of those dern KK’s. I am more than disappointed with my “tubes”. I wish I would have bought the long skinny ones instead of the round ones so they didn’t take up SO MUCH ROOM! It’s silly because they’re the SAME THING.
Anywho, I agree that it’d kinda be silly to move on if it only holds a milk jug. Also, those handles are just going to pop off if you secure them with the plastic bag yarn. …I know; I tried this. LOL
Know what I used mine for? Dish scrubbie! It makes an AMAZING scrubber and washer really clean in the dishwasher. :-)
It’s not so bad.
So you can’t carry anything bigger than a gallon of milk … think of all the smaller things you buy! Mascara, shampoo, mousse, nail polish, cookies, candy bars, I could go on and on!
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I found the bright side to this craft fail – I think milk jug cozy might be good. If I want to keep the milk insulated from the store to the house. :)
sew up the sides and pop a cute little red apple button on it for a clasp and it looks kind-of like a toile purse or coupon holder!
ah – I realized i did not put what size the knifty knitter loom is, so you can get a size of scale of my fantastic plastic milk jug icozy.
It is quite large for coupons. And there are no sides to sew up. It is basically a large tube with the bottom already stitched shut.
That is the drawback of knifty knitter looms. Unless you are better at knitting, everything you make is a tube. :/