Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 19:32:40 EST From: Judybowles To: knitlist@lst.linkline.com Subject: Knit: Knit - Neon Kite String Backpack Pattern 2 packages Neon colored nylon kite string (Purchased in hardware section of Walmarts) 1 of each color per package - gold, orange, lime, fuchsia, yellow 1 size 4 or 5 circular needle about 24" around. Nylon kite string has no elasticity so I find it better to knit loosely with a smaller needle than to try and hold the string tight in your hands. 1 pair same size straight needles to knit inside of pocket. Gauge is not important. You want a firm fabric, but not so tight it is difficult to get the needles in the stitch. 1 large button (I had a fuchsia plastic heart about 1 1/8" across) Use double strand of Neon Nylon Kite String! Knot all edges of kite string about 1 inch from end before you begin to knit to avoid fraying ends. Begin with 2 spools of gold: With the circular needle, loosely cast on 39 stitches of double gold kite string and knit basket weave pattern, k3, p3..for 3 rows and then p3, k3 for 3 rows and continue pattern for about 8 inches. Leave stitches on the circular needle. Cut kite string and leave about 4 inches. Knot ends to avoid fraying. Pocket: Use the rest of the gold kite string to knit the inside of the pocket. On straight needles, cast on 14 stitches with remaining double gold string and knit stockinette stitch until you run out of gold. (Could be 7 inches to 10 inches long) leave on needle and put aside until later. Tie on double strand of orange to gold on circular needle. Pick up stitches around rectangle (you have 39 on needle, pick up 22 down side, pickup 39 across bottom, pickup 22 up other side. Place a marker at beginning of row. Now begin knitting pattern of your choice or just knit around until you run out of orange kite string! Optional: I used a chevron stitch, placing the points of the chevron in each corner. Chevron stitch: Skp, k4, (k1 yo k1) in next stitch, k4, sl2 k1 p2sso, repeat around, ending k4 (k1, yo,k1) in next stitch, k4, k2tog. (Adjust stitches to make the pattern fit correctly) Repeat from around until you run out of orange yarn! (Or at marker). Tie on double strand of lime and knit 1 row, purl 1 row (garter stitch) for 7 ridges (14 rows). Find center 14 stitches of front (a wider side of backpack) and bind off 14 stitches continuing around bag. When you get all the way around to bound off stitches, pick up stitches of gold pocket and knit off straight needle and keep knitting around until you run out of lime kite string. Tie on double strands of fuchsia kite string. K10, k2 tog around first row. Then purl 3, knit 3 ribbing for 6 rows. (adjust to make ribbing come out even by knitting together stitches if you have too many) On side opposite of where you have knit pocket, continue knitting p 3, k3 rib on 27 stitches back and forth for 1 inch. Cut yarn. Tie yarn on side holding other stitches and continue back and forth in rib for 1 inch. Then knit around joining all together. You will have made 2 vertical buttonholes. Continue rib ntil you have about 2 yards of kite string left. Bind off loosely. On back side of bag (opposite pocket, and the same side as the 2 vertical buttonholes in ribbing) at bottom back corner, pickup 10 stitches with double strand of yellow kite string. Sl 1, knit across in stockinette stitch ( I knit back instead of purling which is so much faster since there is no turning) with yellow kite string for about 64 inches or until you have at least 2 feet left to sew strap down. Put strap through vertical buttonhole around and out the other vertical buttonhole and sew to other bottom back corner very securely. Lap fuchsia top to inside over strap and sew down forming drawstring top with strap inside. When you pull the straps to put the backpack on, the top closes. Take it off and it is easy to open. Knot all ends close to the ends to avoid fraying. Sew button on top of pocket. Crochet loop at top of pocket to fit button. Sew sides of pocket and sew into bag. --- This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium http://www.woolworks.org/