Hello Hello! How are things going out there? Warming up? Cooling down for those of you down under? Can you believe March is over? I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty happy about that — March is one of my least favorite months. The only thing that saves it is the First Day of Spring and the TheSecondChild’s birthday. Otherwise, it’s a pretty bleak month in our corner of the world. Lots of windy, cold, unpredictable weather. It does make for good hunker down time though, so that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing.
I’ve been wanting to make a new knitting bag for the last year or two, but I’d had a hard time deciding on style and fabric. When Amy posted her Maker bag a month ago, I knew her idea would make a perfect knitting bag. (I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one here who loves everything Amy makes — I’d follower her off of a cliff!) I searched all my patterns and found a bag in a Japanese book that I’ve had for awhile. I don’t understand any Japanese and the bag in the book was too small, but luckily they have drawings and dimensions in those books, so I was able to extrapolate and come up with a bigger bag.
I added a few fun little details to the outside of the bag — some embroidered words that I made with my embroidery machine and a few little applique/embroidered knitting motifs that I shamelessly stole from the Vechernie-Posidelki blog. I can’t pronounce the blog name and I can’t read a word she writes, but I can certainly appreciate the beautiful things that she makes. You should definitely pay her (I think it’s a her) a visit!
I also put a zipper in my bag — just to keep things neat and tidy. I don’t think knitting bags usually have zippers in them — there’s probably a reason for that. I guess we’ll see how long it is before I get my project caught in the zipper. That Maker fabric on the zipper gusset is my very. favorite. print. I love it! (Shameless fabric plug: all prints are Art Gallery prints and the brown dot is the moda mochi linen dot in charcoal.)
I opted not to put any pockets on the inside — I’ll make some small little bags to hold knitting tools inside the bigger bag. I did put a pocket on the outside of the bag though — I thought it might be a good place to throw my phone and wallet if I take my bag to a knit night or something. (Hey Quilty Peeps — we need a knit night!)
I also debated what to do about the bag handles. Over the years, I’ve learned that flat handles don’t work very well for me. They get squished and never seem to last long. I finally decided to use the mochi linen and wrap it around cotton cording. Then I embroidered a bunch of little x’s on top of the seam line. It really wasn’t necessary — because the fabric is dark, the seamline was barely noticeable at all. And I doubt it will provide any more stability — if anything, those little x’s will probably wear out first.
Anyway, it looks like a weirdly shaped bag, but I love how it fits over my shoulder. After several unsuccessful attempts to take a picture of it on my shoulder, I finally just hung it on my tripod so you get the idea how it hangs.
It’s just what I was hoping for and I’ve already pressed it into service with a new knitting project. It’s a small project now, but it will grow and so far, there’s plenty of room.
So … Happy April! I hope you don’t get pranked too badly tomorrow!!!
XOXO,
Anna
I love your bag! Amazing….
I hope you are seeing some signs of spring….I am just back from a few days in the Netherlands – Utrecht for work and The Hague to visit friends and it was cold and raining for 2 days and and cold and sunny for 2 days….when I arrived back in Scotland last night it was snowing…didn’t last but still..it was snowing.
Love it! Specially the handles. Great job.
It looks amazing, Anna. Love it! :o)
I love the fabric you used in that bag – pretty
If I see someone on the bus or the train take her knitting out of a really stylish bag, I’ll know it’s you! Great job!
Amalia
xo
Oh my!!! I absolutely LOVE this bag and everything about it down to the embroidered Xs on the handles. The fabrics you put together! And creating such a great pattern from here and there. It is amazing! I definitely see the need for a knitting night. I can’t wait to see what that little project grows into. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!
what a fabulous bag! I don’t knit anymore and I’d love to carry that. Your finishing work in impeccable!
spring…. ha ha it snowed here last night. Welcome back, sounds like an fun and interesting trip!
Beautiful bag, nicely extrapolated! I think zippers are allowed on knitting bags. Velcro is NOT. ;) I love your little ‘knit’ and ‘purl’ details!!
Such a perfect bag, and the handles, I just adore those handles!
I love this line of fabric and you have used it to perfection here ~ with a few additions. I would just hang it and look at it all day!
Very lovely as usual. Hope the warm weather arrives soon!
I see many wonderful knitting projects being carried in your fabulous bag!! That row of x stitches is just too awesome for words, they’re like a row of little kisses there to add a little extra sweetness to every project.
you do make the sweetest bags ever! love the dots and the x’s – it almost makes me want to knit sumpin … ALMOST, though, cuz MY little knit motifs would have to read “unravel” and “dropped stitches” instead of knit and purl…
Love your bag! Would you share the name of the book that you got the pattern from? Thanks.
Happy April to you! Well. This bag is glorious. Love the fabrics you’ve used! We’ve had crazy winds this week, and it’s not any warmer yet. Come on Spring! X
another gorgeous finish! i love it. april is here…before you know it, it will be summer and hot.
gosh. i just wanna be you when i grow up. i love the zipper you used, the little stitching on the handles.. it’s awesome we can just get the prints from you if we want to make this. i think i just want whatever is INSIDE your knitting bag!!!
okay, back to work. SOMEONE has to save the world….
:waves madly
Such a gorgeous knitting bag! I love the fabrics so much….and your little knit and purl labels are adorable. I have a ‘bought’ knitting bag which does have a zip, and an old fashioned style one which doesn’t…..it is nice to keep your work safely zipped in though when you are out and about, I think!
Happy April!
Helen xox
do let me know if knit night comes about.
ill show up with treats and beg someone to teach me how to knit!
your bag looks fabulous of course.
Great bag, Anna! Such a useful size and I love what you did with the handles. Fabrics are so cool!!
Look at all your details!! I love them. I wish I was a knitter. Knitters are cool.
Wow. Such a fabulous bag. Much more inspiring than the plastic bin my knitting project is in! :-)
That is sooooooooo cute!! Now that sugaring is done I can’t wait to get back in my sewing room.
What a beautiful job you’ve done there, Anna! But then again, your work is always perfection. I need to make myself another bag (It’s been YEARS since I made one.), but I do remember how much hair I pulled making the last one. ;) Happy Easter!
Ooh, nicely done … I may have to get my sewing machine out and have a go myself, I’m also in need of a new knitting bag!
I love the bag!! This, like many of your fantastic projects, makes me want to be someone who sews. :) Thanks for the crafty inspiration, even if I can’t. :) April hugs! (And we have sunshine today!! Hip hip!)
Anna, you are a genius. What a beautiful and fun bag. So sophisticated! I can’t wait to see qthe knitting peaking out of the top!
ack!! I’m an amy groupie too.. and now I NEED to make a bag…. happy Easter!
I really, really, really, really like your knitting bag! You are a very good sewist!
Lovely bag! Est ce pour moi? You are such a talented lady! Thank you for sharing! Oh wait, I’ve got to lie again! ;oP