April 27th 2011: cast on in the shop, thanks Margot for your hospitality, it’s nice to knit with somebody else …very smooth and easy pattern,and the yarn is a pleasure to knit with…
April 28th 2011: I knitted a modified version of the pattern. I prefer to be able to change the straps. Longer ones on the shoulder, shorter ones to clip on the lunch box. So I added a slit on the other side of the first one. Which means that when pattern says “create slot opening for threaded button closure handle/strap” I did this: knit 14 on first needle and third needle and knit 2, cast off 10, knit 2 on second and fourth needle. Next round cast on the same 10 stitches where you cast off previously.
When I knitted the straps I added and inch in length and the buttonhole at the beginning too, of course. And I knitted for James both straps, one 11 inches long and one 41 inches long. I had very little yarn left which means that you won’t be able to knit an adult strap and a short strap with a single skein, unless your tension is different from mine.
Felting went well, it took me two cycles and it’s now drying. Tomorrow James can carry it to school (long strap). Very nice, I want one too….