Hot, Hot Summer in the City

We had two days (today will be three) of temperatures over 90 here in Boston! Hot an humid do not make for a happy girl. Leaving the house was dreadful. We don't have AC, but the house was actually cooler than it was outside as long as our windows stayed closed and the fan was going. Sat evening, when I couldn't wait for Jorge anymore, I installed the one AC unit that I have in the bedroom by myself. It's was ridiculously heavy but it was my saving grace-- that I got to sleep in a cool room.

On Saturday morning, I finished my 2nd Everlasting Bagstopper. I made I-cord handles instead of ribbon handles. I used a combination of Lion Brand Lion Cotton and Sugar and Cream Cotton. I even used it on Saturday when I went grocery shopping.

I also received my prize from Marly of the Yarnthing Podcast. The new Yarn Harlot book, Things I Learned from Knitting...whether I meant to or not.

Thank you to Marly for the book-- can't wait to read it!

I'm trying to break out of this funk...

so I started a new project rather than finish any of my WIPs. Oh well, whatever makes me feel better seems to be the way to go. I started (and essentially finished) the Everlasting Bagstopper from this summer's Knitty. I's really trying to be more "green" these days and this is a step in the right direction.
First off, let me just say that this is a fabulous "zone out" project. The fishnet pattern is made up of a two round repeat. SO easy-- how can you mess that up right? Well, I don't have the exact answer to that question but I managed to screw up somewhere in the middle of the bag. It's really not noticeable but it it were any project other than a reusable grocery bag I would have totally ripped it out and started over.

Aside from my screw up, I've made a couple modifications to the pattern. I made it longer than recommended, decide to knit a garter stitch strap instead of the ribbon handles and do not plan on adding the drawstring for easy storage. Believe it or not, the strap is actually taking me longer to knit that the bag did ;-)

So if you're looking for a quick and easy pattern (i.e. instant gratification) I would totally recommend it. Once the strap is complete and sewed on I'll post FO pics and maybe even some action shots if I'm lucky.