Hi Make-along friends! I’ve been seeing so many stunning Dumpling Bucket Bags coming out of this Spring MAL and want to thank each and everyone of you for the warm response for this make-along style. Each bag is truly as fabulous and special as its maker. I’ve recently had a bunch of requests for the modifications on the original pattern to make a mini version. Today I’m going to dive into those mods so that if you are a part of the Spring 2023 MAL and already have the pattern you can also make a Mini Dumpling Bucket Bag, like the one pictured. 

(Original size Dumpling Bucket Bag and Mini version for comparison)  

Pattern Modifications:

You begin exactly as you would in the original pattern for the set up rnd, but instead your base will have 40 holes measuring 5.5" in diameter.

Rnd 1: follow the instructions in the original pattern (80 sts inc)

Rnds 2-4: sc in each st to end of rnd

Rnd 5: dec 5 sts evenly

Rnds 6-9: sc in each st to end of rnd

Rnd 10: dec 10 sts evenly

Rnds 11 and on: sc in each st to end of rnd until the bag reaches less than 1" desired height.

Follow the original pattern for row 29 (the eyelet rnd) and original instructions for the “Top of the Bag” and “Finishing” sections.

I hope that helps and please make sure to share your Mini Dumpling Bucket Bag with us in our Make-along Facebook and Discord Groups. Happy making friends!

Next week, we officially open up our 2023 Winter Solstice Kits for pre-orders. Unsure about what a Winter Solstice Kit is? Think of it as a yarn countdown calendar where each yarn is wrapped up as a surprise present to the opener! It is a limited edition, artfully handspun, creative fiber treat created to bring a little extra joy into your life or into the life of someone that you care about. What the short video below for more details.

This year I designed two different color combinations, one in bright, rainbow neons with pops of sparkle and the other in deep, rustic jewel tones with hints of sparkle but a bit more subtle. Each Winter Solstice Calendar will come with 12 handspun mini skeins that are completely unique, never-been-made before yarns. Each mini kit will be thoughtfully wrapped in vintage Indian wrapping paper and numbered so you know which yarn present to open first and so on. I'm going to be a little secretive about details but here is what I will say....

While in India last February, I worked on these yarns for DAYS (and days...!) and designed them as a gradient collection where one color flows into the next seamlessly. If you decide to knit or crochet them in order, you'll have a finished project that subtly changes color with each mini skein. Each 12 mini skein kit is comprised of 6 mini skeins in a yarn we currently run (but all new colors) and 6 mini skeins in a yarn we do not currently run (all new colors but I can say no more because it's a secret!).

Each colorway of each yarn is a never before produced yarn that will never be produced again. These are super special and available only by pre-order for one week. We have a certain capacity we can make in order to get the yarn here in time, if we hit that early then we may not leave ordering open for the entire week.

We've created mood boards to represent each colorway to give you a feeling of what magical yarn assortments each calendar may hold. Check them out at the links below! There are some clues in these mood boards but that's all I can say!

Mood board for the Rustic Jewel Toned Kit 

Mood board for the Neon-rainbow-luscious Kit

Each mini skein will be carefully wrapped up in beautiful Indian wrapping paper that I sourced on my last trip. They are vintage prints and super pretty. I recommend saving this and reusing it for your own gifting!

Pre-orders being on June 13th at 10am ET. Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or feel free to reach out to Amy at hello@knitcollage.com anytime.

EXCITED!

Today I'm going to show you how I turned some embellished trim scraps into a bag strap. I so hope this will inspire you to create something on your own. When we ship our make-along kits and our mini skein sampler kits, you'll find them all wrapped up in gorgeous trims from India, where we make our yarns. If you've ever ordered from us before, you may be wondering, what can I do with those trims?! Definitely do not throw them away. Why not turn them into a bag strap for your favorite tote or a if you're making the Dumpling Bag as part of the spring make-along, this strap will work well for that pattern. 

Materials you'll need:

* Lobster claps  - 1" wide in diameter, antique brass finish. I used these ones.

* Mixed ribbons or trims, your choice! I thought about what would work best with my bag colors and texture.

* Cotton Twill, 3/4" wide or a width that matches the average width of the trims you choose. I used this one. You'll need a length that is 44" long if you want to match the strap length I make OR of course you make it your desired length depending on how you'll wear it. 

* Pins

* Needle and thread for hand sewing or a sewing machine. Your thread should match the base color of your trim unless you prefer a contrast color!

Step 1: Cut your cotton twill to be 44" long or your desired length. I wanted my strap to be 42" long finished. I included 1" extra on each end for where I'll sew the edges down on the inside of the strap.

Step 2: Pin out where you want each trim to go. Think about the color and trim layout you like best. Patchwork the trims together if you're mixing trims like me!

If you have extra trim, cut it so that the length of your trim perfectly lines up with your cotton canvas twill.

Step 3: Wrap your pinned strap around the lobster claw ring as shown below.

Tuck the edges in around the hook for a nice clean finish! 

You could put trims on both sides of the base cotton twill which would look awesome too. 

Step 4: Time to sew! Hand sew or use a sewing machine to stitch it all into place!

And voila, you are done!

I LOVE IT! I would like to swap out my side rivets to be antique brass so they match the lobster claws someday!