Ok, well I'm sort of cheating with this one, as it isn't quite finished...but I need your advice on handles, which we'll get to shortly... . I had hoped to have it completely done by today but I kept putting off the actual felting part of the project - I was a bit scared about how it would go, since I have a front loader washing machine, which makes the felting that one bit more unpredictable, as it's harder to check on progress.
Anyhoodle, let's delay no longer! Here we are pre-felted:
And with small red moleskine knitting diary for scale:
Details
Pattern: Felted Chevron Tote by Leslie Ann Bestor, from Interweave Crochet Winter 2007. A very easy crochet pattern which uses only dc (sc for the Americans) and chain. Big yarn, big hook, a lot of chevroning back and forth, but easy peasy.
Pattern: Felted Chevron Tote by Leslie Ann Bestor, from Interweave Crochet Winter 2007. A very easy crochet pattern which uses only dc (sc for the Americans) and chain. Big yarn, big hook, a lot of chevroning back and forth, but easy peasy.
Here is post-felting - again with moleskine for scale:
Yarn: Cleckheaton Vintage Hues, shade 1273, 7x50g balls. This is an EXCELLENT yarn for felting (phew!!). Of course, it's discontinued now ... sigh. I'd never knit a garment from it (the colours are too wild!!) but for a felted bag done in chevron stripes, I don't think you can find a more perfect yarn. I LOVE the way it crocheted up and the way it felted!
Hook: 7mm - lovely carved wooden hook from Lincraft (of all places!). No idea if this gave me gauge as hello! felted bag! gauge not really that relevant. I did start with a 6.5mm hook though, and found that was a bit tight for the yarn, so basically just use the size hook that feels right for the fabric.
Time: 3 June 2009 - probably tomorrow (after your feedback...)
Modifications: I made the initial chevron part about 10cm/4" longer than the pattern specified (ie 98cm/38.5" in total) - I didn't think it would hurt if the bag ended up bigger than the pattern specs, it's a bag after all! And more size would give me more felting leeway anyway. This also meant the base had to be correspondingly longer, and slightly wider too. I also added a couple of rows of dc around the top to allow for a turned inside hem (as I'm planning to line the bag as well).
Now, for your views. I bought two sets of handles for this bag at the Craft fair in June - I just couldn't decide which would be best. And I still can't (although I do have a slight favourite). So can you help me?
Should I have:
A: Cane handles - my aesthetic favourite, although they are a less practical choice than
B: Longer (p)leather handles - the colour match is pretty good and they would be more practical, but ... I just don't think they look as good as A!!
What do you think (and why!)
29 comments:
yay so glad the felting worked out! I've been waiting to hear!
that's an amazing pattern. I just love it. I must make it.
Now as for the handles, I was all set to go with B, because the colour match is nice, then I read that you prefer A. So I thought about it again. Flicked back and forth. And I still think I perfer B.
I mean A is just fine. No problems with that choice at all and if you choose it I will support your decision (you'd think we were discussing a major life choice here). But I'll stick with b.
Pleather plus chevs = fantasticism!!
Is fantasticim even a word? It should be! I love this bag. I have lots of vintage hues (somewhere) and I have this mag - I should do it!
I like the (p)leather handles better. I think I find the cane/bamboo type handles too summery for the felted bag, and longer handles are much more practical. But I'll still talk to you if you utterly ignore my advice!
it has turned out fantastic! totally impressed. i think the pleather handles are better as well, they suit the colour and 'wamrth' of the yarn, and are more practical, eg over shoulder. cane handles mean the bag can only be held in the hand, and personally i hate that! the cane handles do match, and they are probably a better fit size wise, but i think the pleather will better in the long run. however, it may depend on who the bag is for, eg, child, cane handles. adult, pleather! arent we soooo helpful?!
Fifth vote for the pleather handles, aren't we consistent - I thought we'd all just add to the confusion - thoughI guess we have if you prefer the bamboo!
i'd vote for the leather strap because it's longer. i always prefer to be able to put the handles of the handbag on my shoulder :) much more comfortable.
I am voting cane handles! Rebel that I am. I think the tone of the pleather blends to much with the reds in the bag and fades a little. The cane seems to complement the warmth of the reds and browns really well!
it has got to be A. no doubt at all
I'm with the pleather brigade on this one!
Looks good though!
When I see the pictures, I'm immediately drawn to B. But this is not my bag :) But still, I'd probably go with the practical one. Looking at my past projects, the items where I had chosen aesthetic over practical, they do look good on the blog but in the long run I'm not as happy with them and don't end up using them as much.
But either way, the bag looks fantastic, RoseRed! Well done :)
(PS. Tried stalking the WM, not very successful. Clearly I need more practice.)
Wow. That is a very cool bag! Love the zigzag stripes. I am going to vote for the leather handles, actually. I think they "blend" better, and make the bag more monotone, if that makes sense. It may be just the picture, though, but they stand out less than the others, and let the bag be the thing.
Sean votes for A.
As soon as I saw the second set of handles I loved them, it gives a sort of elegance to the bag doesnt it. The first handles bring out the lighter colored tones in the bag so it is really up to you what you want.
Really gorgeous bag! I vote B. The bamboo looks cute, but what good are looks if you never use it?
I vote for the leather too. The rust tone fits perfectly with the yarn colors.
I vote B. The colors look good together, and longer, stronger handles mean you can throw it over your shoulder if you get tired of carrying it in your hand.
Love the bag, though, especially the colors!
hello,
i don't think i've commented here before, but i have been really enjoying your blog for a couple of months or so. thank you!
i would vote B myself. i think the colours match really well, but as it's your bag, you have to love it everytime you look at it, so whichever gives you the most enjoyment is the right choice!
Well, I am the decided minority here. I like the way A looks much better than choice B. Something about the shades there just doesn't look quite right. Maybe it's my monitor, though. Something about the casual nature of the bag cries out for some funky handles, and I think the cane ones suit the bill nicely.
Th ecane handles are the nice ones. I think they show off the colours of that fab bag much better than ones of the same tone.
Thanks for pointing out that you have a front loader machine. I do, too, and wondered if I'd be able to successfully felt in it.
Love the bag! After going back and forth on handles, I really prefer A, but not with that fiber. So this one time only, I say B.
I prefer B - the colour, the style, the softness all seem to go with the felting and the colours
I love this bag. I've got quite a bit of this yarn (I bought some, ordered some more - enough to finish a cardie - but yes - discontinued. Sigh. And I agree - too much of a good thing for a garment.) And I've used it for felting before - just brilliant! A knitting bag, a pair of very funky little slippers. Anyway, this isn't helping with your choice. Back and forth several times, and I think my preference is the cane. I know it's not as practical, but I do love the contrast.
I'd go with B (I'm now part of pleather brigade?) - I like the look of the pleather with the bag and they don't detract from the gorgeous colours of the bag itself (plus, you know, more practical, so you'll use the bag more, which is good!). Orange!! It's fabulous.
I'm for B - but only because I only use bags that can be worn over my shoulder. I love the felted chevrons - it loos like you are channelling Missoni.
I like the leather too - and like the longer length - because you can put it on your shoulder and not just the wrist or hand - and a larger bag looks better on the shoulder.
I'm with you, I like the look of the cane handles the best but I think the pleather handles would be more comfortable. So, what's it to be, comfort of style?
i think the pleather, for what it's worth :)
great yarn and pattern combo - love those colours. never got to use this yarn :(
Nope, I definitely think choice B is better both asthetically and practically. Those bamboo handles are tought on the hands and arms. It's so amazing what felting can do. It terrifies me just a little tho... All that work and then you really don't know what you're going to get until the very end. Too scary for me.
The bag is gorgeous & I do agree that Vintage Hues felt beautifully. I think the leather handles make the bag looks classy & the color is matching.
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