Recycled Silk tips, care instructions and Unbiased pattern variations.

 

Tips for working with recycled silk yarn: The recycled silk we've had in stock lately has been very lovely yarn--more or less evenly spun and only slightly over-twisted.  However, this is not the case with all recycled silk yarns.  The overspun variety can be harder to work with, so here are some tips that your hands will thank you for.  I've found that all recycled silk works better in a tightly wound ball.  I've been unable to achieve this on my ball winder, so I prefer to do it the old fashioned way.  If your ball is very unruly, put a rubber band around it to keep it in check.

As you knit, you may find that your yarn kinks and curls up.  Hold your knitting up by the working yarn and allow it to spin to remove some of the twist--just don't go too far or your yarn may fall apart.  If so, just overlap the two broken ends and keep going..  Sometimes you may need to tug on your knitting to get all the stitches in place.

Caring for items made with recycled silk yarn:
I get lots of emails on caring for recycled silk yarn items.  I've used several methods and they all have yielded good results.  However, some are better for some projects than others.  Washing the item in the washer (even on delicate cycle) will soften it and give it a softer hand and drape--which you might prefer for garments.  It will also make it a little fuzzier.  But if you want your item to be stiffer--say for a rigid bag--then hand wash it in cold water.  The yarn is supposed to be colorfast, and I've never had any problems with the colors running or bleeding; but it will shed on your other clothes if washed with them in the machine.  To cut down on the shedding, toss your knitted item (dry) into the dryer (inside a pillowcase) and air fluff it for 20 minutes or so.  (It rarely sheds after it's initial shed-except maybe in the washer.)  To dry your knitted/crocheted item, roll it in a towel and squeeze out the excess water.  Then lay it flat to dry.  Do not ever hang it (wet or dry), it will stretch out of shape.
Note:  Lacey items may not hold up in the washing machine.  Any item where the yarn is not secured by surrounding stitches may cause the yarn to come apart.  Fringe may tangle terribly in the wash as well.
I'd only wash your item when absolutely necessary and wash it with a gentle detergent (washer) or baby shampoo (by hand).  If you find your item has stretched out of shape, it may help to soak in in cool water and then lay it flat in the shape you want it to be.  If you're really brave and it has really stretched, try tossing it (wet) into a low temp dryer.
(Note: All these tips are from my personal experience.  I'm not a professional laundress--if it doesn't sound safe to you then don't risk your precious project.  Please!)

Mango Moon brand recycled silk is very soft in comparison to most silk sari yarns--I wouldn't recommend it for a bag or anything you want to be more rigid.  I've heard from some people they don't like knitting with other recycled silk because they find it too stiff.  We do have plenty of softer silk--Unrefined and Handpicked are two examples. 

"Unbiased" variations..... Size:  Are you planning on knitting this as a knitting bag or as a handbag?  Are you one of those people that has any type of gum, medicine, brush, even scissors in your purse?  Depending on how much stuff you like to carry with you, you may want to make the bag a little deeper.  I'm a "wallet, lipstick, keys, small toys" kind of girl and prefer a smaller handbag.  But you can easily make it larger.  To make the bag deeper, just keep knitting.  Instead of the longest side being 12.5 inches, knit until it is 15.5 inches (or whatever) and that will also add 3 inches on to the dip in the front.  To make it wider, make all your triangles bigger than 7.5 inches. That way you can accommodate all the extra stuff you "need."  <smile>

Closure:  You may want a closure on the top.  The simplest way would be to use a crochet hook to chain a few inches of length on one side of the center dip.  Attach the other end to the other side of the center dip.  Sew a nice button on the other half of the bag, or crochet a big bobble.  If you were proficient at sewing you could line the bag and add a zipper at the top.  The zipper would need to be enclosed, or all the little threads would catch in it and make you crazy.

Strap:  The strap can really be any size you like.  If you knit it long and decide you want it shorter, or if it "grows" more than you expect and you want to shorten it there are a couple of things you can try.  The easiest solution is to tie a knot at the top.  Another way would be to decide how long you want it and mark (with pins, masking tape) which section you want to cut out.  Then using a sewing machine or by hand, stitch back and forth over the two spots to cut.  (You may need to use that tear-away paper interfacing stuff if the fabric snags on your machine.)  Be sure to stitch over it more times than you think you should so it won't unravel.  The ends will look scrappy, but that will just add more character to your bag.