Laptop Cases by Leigh Radford

Laptop Cases

Knitting
September 2005
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
15 stitches and 19 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch (St st) using Cascade Pastaza
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
924 - 2280 yards (845 - 2085 m)
English
Errata available: abramsbooks.com

Pattern description from Alterknits: “I use a laptop all the time - often transporting it from place to place - and, for a long time, I searched for a carrying case that felt like it reflected my artsy aesthetic. Finally, I realized that it would be easier as well as less expensive to make one myself. I wanted my case to have vertical stripes, but didn’t want to have to manage a lot of different colors at the same time, which seemed like a dilemma until I changed my perspective: I knit the stripes horizontally, which meant I was only dealing with one color at a time, but then turned the fabric ninety degrees before sewing the case together, thus finishing with the vertical stripes I desired from the start.”

Finished Measurements: Small: 20” x 44” before felting; 13” x 14.5” after felting; Medium: 25” x 50.5” before felting; 14” x 17.5” after felting; Large: 25” x 57.5” before felting; 18.5” x 17.5” after felting. Note: For after-felting measurements, width was measured at the base of the case; the height measurement was taken from the center bottom of case and center of handle. The curve at the top of the case can be exaggerated, if desired, by shaping it when the case is drying.

Yarn:

  • Small: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair; 190 yards/4 ounces): 2 skeins each in 3 colors. Shown in #M113 oregano (A), #M52 spruce (B), #M42 twilight (C).
  • Medium: Cascade Pastaza (50% llama, 50% wool; 132 yards/100 grams): 2 skeins each in 3 colors; 1 skein in fourth color. Shown in #50 burnt orange (A), #49 bing cherry (B), #10 russet (C), #1017 pink (D).
  • Large: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair; 190 yards/4 ounces): 3 skeins each in 4 colors. Shown in #M26 medieval red (A), #M185 aubergine (B), #M23 fuchsia (C), #M113 oregano (D).

Needles: One set straight needles size US 10.5 (6.5 mm). Change needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle, dressmaker’s chalk, scissors, ruler.

Additional Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4” in Stockinette stitch (St st) using Lamb’s Pride Worsted