Bagging It!

I admit, I'm addicted to making tote bags.  I really don't need any tote bags, I have lots of them.  I have quite a few canvas bags, some vinyl bags, some cloth bags, but I can't help myself!  I just love making them!  They are so much fun!  You can experiment with colors, shapes, textures, yarns, patterns, sizes!  The possibilities are probably endless!  My next few entries will be about these bags & branching off to purses.  What fun! 

The bag pictured is not one of my first bags, nor is it my own design.  It is from a Knitter's Magazine pattern, & I fell in love!  Doing entrelac is not one of my favorite things to do because of all the turning, so I forced myself to learn to knit back backwards.  Hope that makes sense!  This way, I wouldn't have to turn on every row.  It worked out great!

I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride wool yarn for this in some very festive colors.  I thought it would be fun because the harlequin patterning of the entrelac is a great way to show off bright colors.  The bag started with an attached I-cord edging, then the entrelac was worked from the I-cord down to the bottom of the bag.  It ends in a fun looking star type design.  I just had to show that in the picture. 

I made some I-cord straps & threw the whole thing in the washer to felt it.  I love the way it came out, but I think next time, I would felt it a little longer.  I rather like the more blurred effect felting gives.  This one doesn't seem to be felted enough for me.  I followed the instructions that came with the pattern for the felting, but I would still go a bit longer.  I blocked & dried the bag on an old potato chip can, but an upside down bucket would work well, too.  I had some fun colored buttons that matched the yarn pretty well, so I picked on of each color to sew on the handles.  This way it keeps up with the fun harlequin theme! 

I have to fight my daughter for this bag.  At first, I didn't think she liked it.  Then one day, I was hunting for it & found it in her room.  She'd been using it for an overnight bag!  We can share!