Bag Number 7: Bobbie Bag

Bobbi Bag designed by Noni, for felted purse swap on Ravelry.

Buttons & Bows - Update

I actually took Buttons & Bows out for a spin on the weekend. it needs lining! It;s too flimsy as it is and my keys kept popping out the side. Something else to learn I guess!

Bag Number 2: Buttons & Bows (Finished!)

Finally finished 'Buttons & Bows' from 'The Knitters Bible - Knitted Bags'. Took me longer to sew together than knit - and the knitting took ages!

Bag Number 6: Felted Clutch

This bag was done a while ago, but I couldn't think of how to finish it off...until I found these pretty fabric covered badges in paperchase. Beautiful!

Bag Number 5: Sherren's Felted Purse

This bag was made for a felted purse swap on Ravelry. It was my first swap and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially when I had a lovely email back saying how much she liked it.

Bag Number 4: Square Dance

The very start of Square Dance from 'The Knitter's Bible: Knitted Bags' - tis lush! :) As long as the wool I have felts properly. We shall see...

Bag Number 3: Multi Purse with Bobbles

This little purse, about 4 inches square, is knit using the free yarn and pattern that came with Let's Knit magazine. I love the knitting, but get fed up with the finishing bit! I will do it this weekend though. Once I find a zip...

Buttons & Bows (WIP)

I have been working on my bags. Promise!

I have finished the knitting for 'Bags & Bows' just need to put it all together. It took me so long to get the pattern set in my head, so had to do a lot of unravelling and re-knitting, but got there in the end....and I wrote it all down!! :)

I have also started another bag which uses mitred squares, lots of picking up stitches, and then felting.

Oh - and I have knitted a small purse that needs finishing if I can get a zip to fit.

Photos soon.

Bag number 2 - buttons & bows

From the same book, I am now midway through a lovely light brown...maybe fawn coloured bag, with an interesting texture to it (photos to come).

I have finished the front (finally!) About halfway through the pattern it says 'continue in stitch pattern'... So, feeling smug, I decided to do a quick swatch of the stitch pattern so I knew exactly what was what and made notes and wrote down what was going to happen in the next 30 rows. I reckon I probably had to unpick (un-knit?) and re-knit about 60 rows before I finally got it right as there was descreasing going on at the same time. Luckily, I write it all down, so doing the back is nowhere near as challenging! And trust me, i'll be keeping those notes for if I ever decide to do it again!

FO: Look No Hands

I have JUST finished my bag! It has taken me longer to sew the thing together than knit the parts, but I am actually very proud of it. So here it is...



Here it is being used as the pattern intended, attached to a belt. Remins me a bit of a tool bag, but I like it a lot. Can see it spending time in the garden with me.



Here we have it as more of a handbag, with the handles buttoned together. A casual 'I'm going to town' type bag.



And this is the zip. Because it's the first one I've ever done, and I am actually pretty pleased with it....providing you don't look at the inside. My stitching wasn't quite as straight/neat as it could have been.

Wool Felting Swatch No. 2

I bought this wool from eBay. It's Twilley's Freedom Spirit, 100% Wool, multi-coloured, the theme is 'Air'. I also have it in a few other colourways to see how they looked. This is also in the machine to see how it felts. Start size was 12cm x 13cm.

Fabulous...post 1

I have just put my Fab swatch in the washing machine and now have to wait 38 minutes to see if it has worked! Before it went in, this is what it looked like:

I had pulled the stitches a little tight across the back, but hoping it'll be ok when felted. It measures 18cm high by 21.5cm wide and was knit on 8mm needles with Lamb's Pride Worsted wool. Oooh - I hope it works!

Cute as a button bag

Found this post via a tweet by @craft. It's is a beautiful bag, but as the general consensus says, it must have taken alot of work. The end result though is gorgeous. My inspiration bag for this week...

(Don't know if I am allowed to post a photo? Any ideas?)

Dancing Cats Handbag

Today I have been mostly using this bag. I purchased it at Spitalfield market in London last week. It is hand made, suppose it would be called a Tote bag. Quite roomy, but no pockets or fastening. Good length handle. And it goes with my coat without being an exact match. I love the dancing cats and am currently in a turqouise mood.

Look, No Hands!

This is my current progress on the 'Look, No Hands' bag from The Knitter's Bible, Knitted Bags which I was bought for my birthday. I am using this to understand how to construct a bag so I can design and make my own. In the photo you can see the back and front of the bag, along with 2 pockets to be added. Just need to decide on a lining and buttons.

Welcome to My Handbag Diary

I like bags. I don't know many women that don't. Two Christmasses ago I knitted a bag for my sister - and she loved it. It has also recieved a lot of praise while travelling the streets of London. Last Christmas I made her another bag. Again, pretty well recieved. Unfortunately I don't have photos of these bags and being 2 years old and used daily, they have gone a little passed their best.

I work full time for a web company, and spend most of my evenings knitting. I enjoy making bags because they're quick, useful and just so pretty. I own quite a few bags and struggle with the constant battle between which one I take out and then making sure I have transferred everything I need from one to the other. I went up the attic today and discovered a collection of bags I'd put up there when we moved in 3 years ago. Now, I am not talking designer bags here! I don't spend hundreds of pounds on handbags, in fact I like nothing better than a handbag bargain! (Having said that I have recently acquired a fabulous Little Earth bag and a limited edition Jonnie Loves Rosie bag.)

Anyway - long story short (ish) - I have decided to try to sell my own handbags. This will be a diary of my progress, plus a showcase of my random bag collection. I intend to use a different bag at least once a week and will post photos here. Along with any inspirational bags I find along the way.