Pictures! Pictures!

I'm curious about how it looks on bigger needles - must be able to sling cantaloupes . Now that you've got one you could be cranking out different designs in no time! I really like the knitted cords, but the pouch does adapt really well to braided ones, or even paracord, for a whole lot less labour.

I've always wanted to take it the other direction, with smaller twine, denser stitches. You could use knitting to make a really beautiful patterned pocket with enough patience.

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Ok, I misunderstood your question... The increase at 10 is moved to the purl (even) row to give a smoother taper to the pouch. It's clearly visible in the close-up: The pattern increases every 2 rows at first, then every 3 for the last two. It seems about right, but sticking to knit rows you could either leave out the fade for a more square-shouldered pouch, or skip 4 rows instead of 3.



As for even or odd total number of rows, it makes no difference (ok maybe one row longer). Many patterns only give instructions for every other row, with alternate rows being simpler/all purl etc. I suppose technically you could call the last (even) row of the pouch a k3 instead of jumping straight back to I-cord?

Thanks jeffrey, timann, evoli.

Interesting experience with the shrinkage! Nylon can do some strange things with moisture and heat, although most think of the synthetics as pretty "permanent". Some of the nylon fishing trawls I work with shrink something fierce as they age, but I hadn't made that connection! Braided twine is particularly bad - it seems to "bulk" up and get proportionally shorter as grit gets into it and some of the fibres break. I really like the idea of shrinking/fulling/felting knit slings... Would work a treat in wool to really toughen one up, and give you a finished gauge that would otherwise be near-impossible to knit!

peacefuljeffrey: One of the more interesting projects I've been involved with. A long time ago I designed some very specialised machinery to dehair and process muskox wool with the idea that it would serve as the basis for a small local industry in the Canadian arctic. At one point we had most of a small woolen mill running in the lab.

Timann, if your mother is willing to knit you a sling, would she be willing to teach you the skills to do it yourself? I think you'll get a huge amount of satisfaction from having done it yourself. I personally always feel happier being able to make or do something for myself than have it done for me (although of course that's not always feasible).

Sorry about pictures -- it may take a little while before I get the chance to post some, since I don't have home internet service (I've been posting from my iPhone lately, for the most part). I do want to share it, though; I don't think I've ever been prouder of a sling I made.

#18 Seine Twine is a kind of mason line made from nylon. The #18 is a size measurement that is prominent on the packaging. I buy mine from Ace Hardware, but I've seen it in Lowes.

I`ll admit you`re right, peacefuljeffrey, I`ll have to put "learning to knit" on my to-do list .  
Don`t think I`ll knit a sling before first Christmas, though
timann

PS I went over to my mother and had her teach me the basic of knitting. 
I learned how to get a basic work started, but appearently I need a couple more lessons before I can knit a sling .

So, I finished a new sling (#2) tonight, made of thin hemp twine.
It came out ok, but since it's hemp, it has some thick and thin spots. I guess it will be a functional sling, but to be blunt, I'm always skeptical about how well natural fiber will hold up. It doesn't seem as tough as other slings I've made of pretty well-wearing nylon paracord or utility cord. Those have never shown wear. But, I've wanted a natural material sling for a while and now I have one.

I love the idea that this sling is made of a single strand of a single material all the way through from end to end.   That is one of the main charms of this design for me.

Timann, it is awesome for me to witness a nascent knitter getting started.
I am very happy for you! I know that you will find being able to knit to be an enrichment of your life.

Your sample there looks very good! Is that hemp? Make sure to forgive yourself for any irregularity in your gauge when you knit hemp; I've found it is notoriously tough to work with, and the gauge is very sensitive to even small variations in your needle work. I think it's because it doesn't stretch and then spring back as you go.

So, have you learned how to bind off? That's crucial to know, but fortunately it's easy to learn. (It isn't something you'll need for the sling, though.) I think it's one of the knitting tools that can be done in an assortment of ways, too, just like casting on. I haven't yet learned a whole lot of different ones. Most times you can get away with knowing just a few, it seems.

It's twisted, but I've not had any problems with untwisting.