It seems like forever ago.
The talented and wonderful, Shannon Okey, contacting me to ask if I'd design a piece for the second of her KnitGrrl books. I hadn't ever worked with her before but her enthusiasm was enough to sway me. I drafted up a proposal and sent it to her and she accepted the idea. The result is Drake the Dreaded, the Dragon Backpack:
I think he's cute. You see that tongue there? It's functional.
When you open him up, that tongue is the pull cord to cinch the bag shut.
Here's his backside.
Shannon gave me great positive feedback when I finished him and sent him off. I was excited. Unfortunately, he didn't hold nearly as much charm for the editor of the book and he was cut, last minute. It happens and it was definitely not a personal thing. I was offered the choice of having him be a free promotional pattern for the book or just getting him back to use as my own pattern. There was some problem getting any final paperwork from the editor so we decided to cut our losses and Drake is back home with me.
Since I still have my original pattern instructions and I now have my sample back, I was thinking I'd offer the pattern up on my site, for a very small fee, say $3.50. I wanted to feel it out though and see if folks thought that would be of interest to them. So leave me a comment and let me know what you think and if there's a lot of interest, I'll post a pattern this weekend.
In spinning news, I've been spinning up some of my yummy Almost Solid Series Sampler.
This is some BFL in colorway "Redwood." It's my first time spinning BFL and it's a delight. I'm spinning it on my 0.9 ounce Golding. When plied, it should be about a DK weight.
If you've been wondering about the machine knit cardi and cami, they are done, I just need to get them on me and in front of a camera when there is actual daylight.
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Comments (27)
P.S. You really should charge more for your patterns! :)
Posted by Kathi D | April 22, 2006 4:51 PM
Posted on April 22, 2006 16:51
Oh! I see you DO have the pattern for sale! Going to buy it right now, thanks!
Posted by Kathi D | April 22, 2006 4:47 PM
Posted on April 22, 2006 16:47
It is FABULOUS!!!!! Please please PLEASE put the pattern up for sale! I'm just a beginner knitter so I may not be able to make it yet, but it will inspire me to get good enough to knit it.
Posted by Kathi D | April 22, 2006 4:46 PM
Posted on April 22, 2006 16:46
Drake is adorable! I'd buy the pattern from you!
Posted by Janet | April 21, 2006 12:53 PM
Posted on April 21, 2006 12:53
Please put Drake up for sale. My teenage daughter and niece would each love a Drake. He is adorable. Maybe I'll make one for me too.
Posted by Kim | April 21, 2006 10:35 AM
Posted on April 21, 2006 10:35
Please put the pattern up for sale! My son would love that backpack. He LOVES dragons!
Posted by Brenda | April 21, 2006 8:13 AM
Posted on April 21, 2006 08:13
I would love this pattern. I think it is fantastic! You can count on my $$$!
Posted by Nicole | April 21, 2006 8:06 AM
Posted on April 21, 2006 08:06
that is DARLING! in fact, i'm planning on making a totebag for my latest charity endeavor, and if it's ok with you, i'll link this post to my yahoo board. i bet you sell a ton! (i can't, mr irs got me good this year)
Posted by minnie | April 20, 2006 8:59 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 20:59
I love Drake (so does my 3 year old son!)We'll be buying the pattern as soon as its available.
Thanks for the pictures of your spinning... it inspires me to keep trying even if my results are nothing I would ever admit to :)
Posted by Heather | April 20, 2006 7:12 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 19:12
You are so talented and so creative. I love the backpack!!
Posted by jessica~ | April 20, 2006 4:38 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 16:38
I am so jealous that you know how to spin. My efforts were disastrous this weekend.
And drake is the cutest thing.
Posted by Nik | April 20, 2006 3:57 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 15:57
Drake is fabulous!
It's too bad he was cut, I think he's adorable.
Posted by Amy Boogie | April 20, 2006 3:25 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 15:25
I have to chime in that I can't live without a Drake too! I have too many kidlets in my circle that should get their own dragon.
Posted by Laurie | April 20, 2006 1:40 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 13:40
I love all the thoughtful details in that backpack. I just polled my two 9-yr-old daughters and they liked it, but said they'd want a backpack that was a pig, horse, or dog. Oh well. I think it's cute.
Posted by Persnickety Knitter | April 20, 2006 1:32 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 13:32
What a shame--he's adorable!
Posted by --Deb | April 20, 2006 12:51 PM
Posted on April 20, 2006 12:51
SO cute, I would definately be interested in knitting the bag for friends kids.
Posted by kitty kitty | April 20, 2006 11:41 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 11:41
That is incredibly cute! I hope you're feeding him a steady diet of fresh roving and silky yarns. Dragons get very nasty when they're not pampered.
Posted by Roxie | April 20, 2006 10:54 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:54
best knitted backpack ever! i can't tell how big it is but that would make a cute diaper bag too.
Posted by Hanna | April 20, 2006 10:43 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:43
Love the bag. I don't know of any other knit backpacks out there as origional as that one. I've been wanting to knit one for my little guy, but hadn't found "it" till just now! Please do offer the pattern for sale. I'll def buy it. =)
Posted by Faith | April 20, 2006 10:31 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:31
I got a good chuckle out of the pull-string-tongue! Cute. I think folks would enjoy knitting this bag for their little ones.
Posted by Karma | April 20, 2006 10:29 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:29
Oh man, that is SO cute! I'll definitley be getting that pattern. The tongue is really funny. I love his wonjy eyes and ears, too. Great pattern, Marnie!
Posted by Debbie | April 20, 2006 10:29 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:29
I love Drake! The tongue/pull cord is great. I would definitely be interested in knitting this for my niece and nephews.
Posted by Emily | April 20, 2006 10:28 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 10:28
oh no, that's too bad.
drake is absolutely adorable and very clever. i don't have any kids to knit for, but if i did i would definitely do a drake. i think he'd be very popular for a lot of knitters, and since it's a bag i'm guessing gauge isn't overly critical. so, it could even appeal to an advanced beginner.
Posted by jody | April 20, 2006 9:58 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 09:58
I love the dragon. I know they can't publish everything due to space constraints, but that is not the design I would have cut. Totally clever and cute!
Posted by Julia | April 20, 2006 9:45 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 09:45
OMG. LOVE Drake! Too bad about his pattern not being published, but I'm sure he will live on with all your readers who will buy it. Too cute! The "functional tongue" is brilliant!
Posted by Nonnahs | April 20, 2006 9:44 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 09:44
Delurking... love the dragon bag. My kids will love it. Also wanted to thank you for inspiring me to pick up the spindle I got last year and start spinning. I absolutely love your shawl (will the pattern be available for sale? :) and your newest hat.
Posted by Angela | April 20, 2006 9:25 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 09:25
I love the idea of the pull cords as the tongue! So clever!
Posted by Katherine | April 20, 2006 9:09 AM
Posted on April 20, 2006 09:09