Mother’s Day Gift Hints

Mother’s Day is this weekend! If your mother or grandmother or mother-in-law is like me, they would enjoy gifts related to their hobby.

I am always running out of room to store my projects and thought these items fromKnitting Warehouse are great! There are so many choices and are not overly expensive.

How about getting a good set of circular needles? She would then have most of the desirable sizes available at her fingertips. The Knit Picks et is a good choice.

A very good idea that keeps on giving is a magazine subscription to her favorite publication. There are many to choose from, but my favorites are Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and iNknitters

if none of these suggestions work for you, then you might consider a gift card at her favorite yarn store. Mom, or Grandma can use the card for a class or even to add to her yarn[/tag] stash!

Update 05/11/07 I just spoke with an individual at INknitters magazine. It seems that due to hurricanes in Texas, where they are located, they will no longer publish the magazine. However, back issues of the magazine will be available in approximately one month. Check INknitters website for updates.Â I am sad to see the magazine cease publication.

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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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