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!)
