Handles

As I was putting away the left over fabric from the Jen bag, I noticed this piece of wool I picked up at the local wool mill. It seemed like a good size to make into a bag, so I bought it for about $3 and put it in my stash to do some time. I didn't really have a plan of what to line it with or how it would end up, but when I was putting away this lining fabric, I realized that it matched really well and the scrap is about the same size as the wool piece! So, I think I will use it. But, I have no idea what to do for a strap/handles. I just can't picture it. Any one have any suggestions???? I need help!

Jen Bag complete!

Here is my first custom order purse sold!

The outside is corduroy, and the top is probably a cotton blend although I didn't look at the makeup of the fabric when I bought it. Is is a nice heavy weight to balance the corduroy, but almost has a sheen to it.

The inside is lined with silky nylon lining and has patch pockets on one side...

...and a zipper pocket on the other. It closes with a magnetic snap. The lining was a little difficult to work with, but I think it turned out nicely!

On Knitting

I have a love-hate relationship with knitting. I love the way it looks, but I just don't like it as much as crocheting. I think it is because I learned to crochet first. I started crocheting right after high school. Someone taught me the basics and I just started trying and learning from my mistakes. I bought a book and learned as I went. Then, about 5 years later, in graduate school, I was introduced to knitting. Again, I learned the basics and then went on my own. I made a few simple scarves and things like that, but just never got into it that much. I make a scarf or two each year, but never really get motivated to do more. I think it is because crocheting is so much easier for me. I don't have to work very hard to get a lot of reward. I am still a novice at knitting. I wait so far between times that it is like starting over with learning how each time. I feel uncoordinated and frustrated, and eventually just go back to crocheting.

I recently came to the realization that crocheting was probably like this for me at first too, but I didn't have any easier choice at the time. I wasn't scared to make mistakes like I am with knitting. I just tried things and that is how I really learned to understand how it works. That is what I need to do with knitting. I need to get past my feelings of having to make something specific, something that looks good, and just make. something.

So, I branched out. I bought circular needles, went without a pattern, and decided to figure out how to knit in the round. I decided that if I ended up with a hat - great, if not - fine.

I did it! I knitted a hat! Without a pattern! So, it is a little small and the top is a little pointy. But, I leaned how to knit in the round, and I have some ideas of how to address the pointy top. I might even try following a pattern some time. At least it is a start. But, I think I need a goal to motivate me, so I came up with a plan...

I am going to use this book to learn 26 knit stitches. I am going to make one cotton dish cloth for each using this giant skein of yarn. If they are ugly, who cares? No worries, no pressure. Hopefully, when I am done, I will be a knitter. So, be on the lookout for updates. Maybe I can average one per week? It might be one every 2 weeks. We'll see.