Wed Jun 2, 2004

Blue Tote: before & after

Part 1

It is done! It is beautiful! The washing machine beckons!

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Measurements before felting:

Bag- side panel is 15 inches tall, bag is 16 inches wide.
Pouch- 7 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches wide
I cord- 20 inches long

It is difficult to measure the total height, due to the handles being so easily stretchable, and the bottom sagging, so I just measured from the beginning of the cable pattern on the bottom, to the top of the side panel. The width is the entire flat measurement.

Ooo, the sweet anticipation!

Part 2

Sniff, Pout, Stomp, Curse, Cry.

OK, maybe it’s not that bad. It’s just not exactly what I wanted.

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There are two main problems with it. First of all, I over felted. The cables are smaller on the bag than on my swatch, and they don’t have the depth of the swatch. Secondly, it flares at the top a little too much. Now, I know the politically correct term for this is “design element”, but I’m still dissapointed. In a few days, I will have gotten used to it, and will like it. The initial shock just hasn’t worn off yet.

Finished Measurements:

bag- side panel is 11 inches tall, bag is 12 inches wide, total height is 17 inches, including everything.
pouch- 5 inches tall, 4 inches wide
I cord- still 20 inches long.

I’m trying to decide whether or not to try again. I think it only flares by about 4-8 stitches too much, so that is easy enough to fix. Also, I think that the brown on this bag would look completely delicious with the right rosy pink. Reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream. Mmmmm. What do you think? Should I make it again? I’ll definitely take a break, and knit some other things first. Like the Bottoms Up Diagonal Hat, and something completely gorgeous that I’ll show you once I figure out our scanner.

9 Responses to “Blue Tote: before & after”

  1. susan Says:

    I love your bag! It does flare a bit..but that could easily be fixed in #2!! Bravo!

  2. Rebecca Says:

    Well I for one love the bag! While it may have turned out exactly as you dreamed, I still think it turned out beautiful! I think you’ll just have to make another one to test out more of the design elements. 🙂

  3. FYRKRKR Says:

    La, I think it is beautiful and if you really don’t like it, I know someone who would give it a lovely home. (hee hee hee) Now, let’s discuss those cursings… ahem. Just kidding. Truly, it’s lovely and I think the flair adds ZIP and pizzazz and I wouldn’t change it. The little bag attached is really cute. I might be getting inspired to try one…
    Love, G FYRKRKR

  4. Laura Says:

    Thank you very much! I’m seriously thinking about the 2nd version. I also think, particularly if I modify the top, that I can in good conscience let everyone know how I made it. There are only a couple elements from the original pattern left, and one of those I was going to do for my first bag, before I even saw the pattern.

  5. Melissa Says:

    That is so beautiful! What kind of yarn did you use? Can you please send me the pattern for it? It is so wonderful!

  6. Amanda Says:

    I love your bag. I don’t see anything wrong wth it. I wish you had a pattern. That bad would be so perfect for so many things. Keep up the great work!

  7. Amanda Says:

    I meant “bag” in my previous post. I’ve gotten a new laptop and am not to sharp on the laptop keyboard.

  8. Laura Says:

    OK, I’ll post a pattern for it soon. The yarn on top is worsted weight Lamb’s Pride, by Brown Sheep Company, in Roasted Coffee. The bottom is just a light blue Cascade 220. The bag is knit with the yarn doubled.

  9. Valerie Says:

    My first reaction to your bag? It’s GORGEOUS! And the color combination works beautifully.

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