Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Waiting for Spring

Last week was cold and dreary and I started to feel the wear of winter on my enthusiasm. But things brightened on the weekend with the animals of spring all present on Saturday - robins, bald eagles, and prairie dogs. There is hope for warmer weather!

I have picked up speed on my new found hobby - knitting. I went to the local thrift store on Friday and rummaged through four baskets of yarn, jamming my re-useable shopping bag full for only $12. And because I dug through the treasures in those baskets, I only bought actual wool from sheep and alpaca as well as cotton yarn.


Here's the project I'm currently working on...


I spent all morning (and part of the afternoon) turning the above into a beautiful handbag! It was an experiment in many ways, but turned out beautifully. The handles were also from the Thrift Store, 12 bundled together for $1.50!

I sewed the side seams together and the handles to the body of the bag with thread first so I would keep the placement where I wanted it to be.
Here is the finished bag, pre-wash for felting. I finished the handle and side seams with the remaining yarn. What looks like purple here is actually a nice brown.
The finished felted bag - notice how much less of the handle is covered by the yarn! Also, the wool is still drying, so I have stuffed it with a plastic pencil box to form the shape it will take.
I have a sense of accomplishment after finishing this project, but have not paid any attention to the house yet today - YIKES! Time to do some dishes and whip up dinner!

What do you think? What would you knit/make/want as a gift? Ideas? Thoughts?

4 comments:

  1. Hey Jessica....that "happy bag" will come in handy on Friday, when we get crafty together, won't it? I was telling you about that crocheted hat I saw in Invermere. I should try to find you a pattern so you can whip that up for me sometime. I'll get on that...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love one can I have one???
    Heather. Please.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen - sounds great! I've been looking at patterns already... we will have to have a look at what to make!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Heather - I'm glad you like it! Your birthday is in June, right? :D

    ReplyDelete