Sunday, October 3, 2004

The Bag That Started It All!

This is the bag that started it all!  The bag that began my fun journey into knitted tote bags & purses.  This has to be one of the best bags I've ever made!  It was a pattern from Knitter's Magazine, some number of years ago.  This bag is almost 10 years old & is still holding up very well. 

We use it as our beach bag.  It works great, because it stretches more than you would think possible.  I can fit 3 large beach towels, 1 huge beach blanket & assorted goodies.  Any sand that goes in with the items gets sifted out through the stitches.  Being made of cotton, it dries quickly, too. 

The bag has launched me on a knitting journey of designing my own bags.  The bottom is knit as a garter square, then stitches are picked up around the square & the body of the bag is knit in the round.  There was a little reverse stockinette stitch design to add interest, & garter stitch rows at the top.  Add I-cord handles & a closure, there you are!  Many of my own designs are based on this format. 

Also, for me, it holds fond memories of the knitting process.  While on vacation in North Carolina, I stopped in a yarn store & found the whole thing in a kit.  Yarn & pattern.  The yarn is a very thick  cotton.  It reminds me of the yarn used for the old dust mops.  It also had just enough color to make it interesting & fun.  I just had to get it.  I made it on the beach that week & was done before we left for home.  What a great fun project & memory!

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