U.F.O. knitting bag

I'm loving my bag. It's the last of the Amy Butler Uptown bags that I made recently. Remember, I gave some away?

This luscious velvet gold bag is perfect for my knitting. Straight needles lie flat and it fits loads of yarn, my pattern and bits and bobs.

I teamed the cotton velvet exterior with some blue and cream floral Liberty Tana Lawn and the colours just pop alongside one another! Eye shattering fabulousness. Nothing less. I do love a bit of bright sometimes.

I wanted to embellish it using some of the lining and thought this retro circle flower-come-spaceship just did the trick. To be honest I was going for more of a flower look than a U.F.O., but...the aliens won. Mr Myrtle says the "circles" aren't his cup of tea even though he is a sucker for all things Liberty. I'm thinking he prefers a more subdued palette...luckily he doesn't need a new knitting bag :)

The outside of the "flower" is felt and I've top-stitched it with my machine in the lighter blue cotton, and by hand in gold and royal blue wool. I'm hoping that those little holes in the centres will disappear with time.... I had to un-pick some over-zealous top-stiching that really made my eyes hurt...

I've sewn a running stitch in royal blue wool around the top and I'm really pleased with my even stitches. That was tricky, and a bit pricky with the needle.
But, the best bit, do you see inside?

It's silky silver yarn. For me!

See, there's enough for a new spring top. Yippee!


I'm joining in the Tops, Tanks & Tees Knit Along over at luvinthemommyhood. If you haven't met her, Shannon is fun! She hosts regular knit alongs, each with different themes. This one is just like it says on the tin - tops, tanks & tees.

The idea of a knit along is that you knit similar (or sometimes the same) things, at the same time. At the end of this knit along, you take a picture of your new creation and upload it to luvinthemommyhood’s Flickr group, so everyone can ooooh and aaaah at each others lovely knits. And, there are PRIZES! Cool!

I haven't joined in before, and I can't wait because it looks like it'll be lots of fun knitting together. Shannon has posted a few pictures for inspiration, but the plan is that you knit (or crochet) a top that you like, for you. You could even make a cardigan, so long as it is short sleeved.

What am I knitting?

Well, I'm making this lovely little number. Buttercup is a free pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier (she's got lots of popular patterns) and you can download it from Ravelry here. I love the scoop neck with the wee bit of detail, the cropped sleeves and the detail repeated around the hem. It is slightly A-line too and knitted from the top down, so I can try it on as I go, all good :)

The yarn I've chosen is a 50% cotton/ 50% modal blend in silver made in Italy for smc select. With all that modal I'm hoping that it will have super drape so that it falls really well. Let's hope it doesn't stretch to my knees...

The knit along starts on April 11th - that's next week! I can't wait to get going! 
There's plenty of time to get something finished, it closes May 23rd, with winners announced the following week. If you want to be in the draw for prizes, you can sign up at luvinthemommyhood.

So, go on, join me! There's a Ravelry group for supportive chit chat and inspiration and I'll let you know how I'm getting on over the next couple of weeks.

Any takers?!