After that big discussion about dishcloths, I knit one. That was fun.
But I want to show you some other finished objects from Christmas time.
Do you mind?
This is a little baby cap for Rosie's college roommate's baby daughter, just born. I used Ginny's Newborn Hat With a Touch of Lace directions and some lovely merino/bamboo blend found in the clearance bin. It feels so very crunchy and yet soft when you work with it! I love it.
Out of two balls of yarn I made two baby caps and Bridget made an adult cap, so that was a thrifty find!
Don't get mad at me — I am not sure what it was called. I will try to find the little wrapper….I promise to reform and post things on my Ravelry page from now on.
* {I still haven't gotten to my Ravelry page, but I found the little wrapper stuck in a book! So this yarn is Frog Tree Meriboo — 70% Merino Wool, 30% Bamboo (which means rayon made from bamboo fibers, I think), DK weight. The yarn calls for #6 needles. I used #4 and we'll see tomorrow if this little cap fits the sweet babe! Photo opp, n'est pas?}
Now, I want you to know something about my mother, aka Habou, so that you can appreciate the sheer audacity that went into this gift:
She is a “bag lady.”
She loves bags.
Of any kind.
So in a way, that makes it safe to make her a bag. But in another way, she has so many, why go there?
But in this case, she had started putting her crotcheting in a plastic bag because of the wearing of the fibers as she pulled a project out of her existing bags.
But plastic crinkles. Obviously she needed a bag with a satin lining.
And extra pockets.
And the ability to expand to hold a largish blanket…
…as well as snap up (and what is better than pearlized snaps, I ask you — although all of these cracked as I applied them, boo) to be more compact.
I went to JoAnn's straight to the clearance section and was determined to find bag material there, which I did. I love this fabric! It has a very rich appearance and seems sturdy. The satin is just lining satin. I used up every scrap of what I bought and just made up the pattern as I went along.
The key with a bag, once you have figured out the trick to making the bottom (here's a good tote bag tutorial), is to add on all the bells and whistles (pockets) before you put it together. Just make a simple one to get the hang of it, and then work your way up.
Sue says
You are awesome! I really want to learn to knit, but haven't found anyone who can teach me in person. I tried with those online videos, but I'm just not a very visual person. I couldn't get past the first row! I need someone to give me verbal reminders along the way, I think.
Once again, you inspire!
Magda says
You might be sad that the pearlized snaps broke, but when I saw the picture, I thought, “How neat: a star!”
These are nice finished projects!
priest's wife says
what a wonderful daughter you are- not letting mama suffer through crinkling plastic while crocheting- love the bag
Hoosier at Heart says
Once again, I stand amazed. That bag is just beautiful! Not to mention the hats!
Joy says
What a beautiful bag and all the little touches that makes it so special. I have a tote bag that my mother quilted and it is all finished except the handles. Seeing your bag reminded that I want to finish it off so that's one more project on my list. I love having long reading lists and long project lists because then there is *always* something to do in all of those little in-between times in a mother's life.
I love the newborn cap. Your socks in the last “finished objects” post inspired me to knit in the round but I'm starting with a cap because it is less complicated. I figure if I can knit a cap, I'll move onto socks next. 🙂
Nadja says
That bag is fantastic! What an ideal one for knitting projects. Beautiful work.
nt12many says
Wow, you make bag making sound so easy…and since I, too, have a thing for bags I will certainly have to summon up my courage and make one.
What a great gift!
Jill Farris
Amy says
I too got inspired by your dishcloth posts to start knitting more dishcloths! I have been wanting to make a bag for myself that could double as a pocketbook and diaper bag and love your bag. I will have to try the satin lining too!
margo says
you are so clever! Are the snaps fasted to make the bag more compact? Is that the idea?
Thanks for the push to make bags. I do love a good bag and I have precise requirements for capacity and weight of fabric, etc., so it does seem like I should make some.
_Leila says
Yes, Margo, the cotton tape and snaps were in my stash, so I used them to make the bag more versatile. It was hard to take a picture of, but the ones on the sides of the top make the top smaller, and the ones going from the bottom to the top on the sides bring up the bottom so that it's flat. If you unsnap, the thing is more like a big square that will hold a small blanket.
Kimberly says
Beautiful dish cloth! I'm knitting baby blanket to have here, when our little guests come and visit. It's a fun and nice to look at pattern! I love the colour of the hat, and ingenious, using satin as a lining. I hope you have lots of yarn and fabrics in your stash, with all that snow the Lord keeps dropping in your neck of the woods. Stay warm!
Kimberly says
Oh, and about snaps, I use snaps from a company called the Snap Source. We have a sewing and stitchery expo here each year, I discovered them a number of years ago, and love them. The snaps have longer prongs and hold super well. I used them on many baby projects, they hold really well.
sarah says
Love the baby cap.
jenletts says
I love making bags! They are so much fun. Habou's is gorgeous with that satin lining and nice sturdy exterior.
Birdy says
OH!–I just noticed your pronunciation guide in the sidebar–it's LYE-la, is it? And here all this time, I've been calling you LAY-la! Either way, it's a beautiful name, and an indispensible blog.
Habou says
I love, love, love the bag. Right now it is holding my current project of a pink and white blanket for my first great-granddaughter – it is a hope blanket. Of course I have to go back to finishing a scarf for Sukie and another blanket when I get more yarn to complete them. My average for works-in-progress is usually four or five!!! That includes art works.
Laura Jeanne says
Wow, what a great bag! I'm sure your mother will love it.
I just have to say, that those pictures of the hearth area are so beautiful. Sometimes when I read other people's blogs I feel jealous of pictures like these. My house is a very ugly and cheaply built townhouse from 1970, complete with horrendously tacky cupboards, no window in the kitchen, stained camel coloured carpets…and alas, no fireplace or woodstove. Someday though, someday I will have lovely wooden floors and a fire burning on cold January nights.
Judy@Learningtoletgo says
What a great bag! And the satin lining is a brilliant idea which I will steal. I must make one of these for myself, and one for my sister-in-law for her quilting projects. The knitting, too, inspires. Leila, you certainly keep us busy!
Pippajo says
Must, must, must get the old knitting bag down from the closet. But I can't stand the thought of having to touch yarn with my dry hands. Maybe I should take that as a sign that I should invest in some quality yarn…
The hat is darling. And the bag…well…which of the seven deadly sins do you think I'm committing right now?
Lauren says
That is such a great bag…I LOVE the fabric! Thanks for linking to my tutorial, I really appreciate that and am so glad you found it helpful.