The bag is finished - well, the knitting is finished anyway :)  I’ve been too tired and wobbly to undertake the felting (by hand, standing at the sink) just yet, but I’m hoping to get to it tomorrow or the next day.  It should be a fascinating process to watch!

Its current, pre-felted dimensions are 12.5” in height x 12” in width.  I’m intensely curious to see how this will change once the thing has shrunk down.  I do hope I don’t end up with a coin purse (!) but I suppose if that’s what happens, it will be the sturdiest coin purse in the universe :)

I finally decided on a cowl pattern by returning to an old friend - Barbara Walker’s Dragon Skin.  I had all but decided to try the Silken Smoke that Elann offers (see Ev’s beautiful version here) but changed my mind at the last minute :)

I did fudge the stitch pattern a bit (of course I did…) by changing the center two knit stitches to purls.  This seems to give the fabric a bit more texture and spring and I’m liking the look :)

The yarn is Classic Elite Miracle and I am enjoying working with it.  Interestingly enough, it is similar in some ways to the Patons SWS.  They are both single ply yarns with very little twist and both are relatively inelastic. The Miracle, however, has a much nicer hand and a much smoother feel against the skin.  I haven’t run into any knots in it either and the SWS was full of them - as many as four in a ball.

It’s a DK weight yarn and I’m working it up on the recommended size 6 US (4.00 mm) needles.  If you work this on metal needles, you’ll have to keep control of it because it is pretty slick.  But I can tell you, since that’s what I’m doing, that it isn’t all that difficult :)  If you happen to have wooden needles who’s color will remain a nice contrast to your yarn, you might find them a bit easier to work with.

The color seems to glow just a bit - I’m sure that’s all in my head, but it’s truly lovely stuff.  I’m trying to be a bit careful because this probably won’t frog too well, but I really haven’t had any problems with it so far.  Perhaps knitting with the SWS was good practice?  Heheh…

Chat is on for this evening - got that holiday knitting started?  Drop in if you’re in the neighborhood :)