coin purse - version one

i'm sure there has been tons (read: probably none) of speculation on what exactly this 'coin purse' is, if not an actual coin purse. in the midst of our coldest days of winter, kim and i were visiting with kim's husband and our friend dustin. the boys were musing about the cold weather...appendages that should be specifically protected from the cold, and our knitting projects. they started asking why we had yet to (read: demanding that we) knit them some 'snuggies' to keep their balls warm. thus ensued a spirited debate about the best, most comfortable way to fashion such a thing. the item was officially dubbed 'a coin purse' and a challenge was made. so, the following, is my first 'stab' at knitting a coin purse.   

*beware, the following will include my completely inexperienced knitting jargon. you might very well be bored...but this is a craft blog...so....tough. 

for version one i based my approach on a great little hat pattern. it doesn't require circular needles, dropping stitches, or adding stitches. perfect for a beginner knitter!

• i cast on 48 stitches on to my tiniest knitting needles and used yarn for baby stuff, extra soft, smooth, and thin.
• the first 5 rows were knit in the ribbed pattern (knit 2, purl 2, etc. - if you plan to incorporate the ribbed pattern, always cast on in numbers divisible by 4).  the ribbing pattern was to create a little bit of a 'pinch' at the top of the 'coin purse'
  
• the next pattern was stockinette (knit one row, purl one row, etc.). the stockinette has a less bulky product...it tends to knit the rows in to each other. i didn't count how many rows i knit in stockinette (a row counter would likely be a wise purchase for me), but merely eyeballed the length and stopped when i thought it was appropriate. 

• from here, you pull out a good bit of feed yarn, and snip snip! use a yarn needle to thread the feed yarn around through the open stitch, along your knitting needle. this will make a 'loop' with itself to be pulled tight, creating the 'bottom' of the coin purse. 
• i knotted the loop to maintain the tension, and sewed the feeder yarn all the way down the side. 

• viola! a 'coin purse' or a knit hat for a doll...i'm not quite sure how this one will fit. seems a little narrow and a little long. version two will be wider and shorter. i'm thinking the test fitting of my 'prototypes' will be frustrating...as i won't be wanting to handle post ball contact...maybe we need a ball stocking for coin purse fittings.
  

version two is well underway...i used different knitting patterns and like to thing of version two as the 'even colder weather' model. it will be bulkier, and hopefully a little more decorative. 

anna loves you, 

 xo 

p.s. my sewing machine is expected to be delivered on friday and construction of the 'manster' will commence! i promise to document it carefully....and maybe even make a picture video of the process.