Celtic weekend tote, Bag style

This weekend I worked on this bag. It's from the bag style book by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.
This is a great book if you are at all interested in knitting bags you need this book. This pattern is called the Celtic weekend tote and it's done by Lisa B. Evans. I am using Rowan Yorkshire tweed Dk. It's very very similiar to the Rowna scottish tweed called for in the pattern. To make the bag you hold two starnds of the yarn together which is making for a wonderful heavy dense fabric, perfect for a bag.

When I started I wasn't going to do any of the color work but the after finisheing the back so quickly I decided that I did want some colorwork on the front. So the bag will be just striped and then the front will have the colorwork.

The white yarn running through the top is my marker for where the top gets folded over to form a facing.

I don't love the design on the pattern so I decided to recreate my own version. This also makes it more "my bag" rather then a copy. I used graph paper and colored pencils to plan out what I wanted to do.

Then I would some bobbins and got started. I am using a long circular needle to do the front because it's easier to handle all the work this way rather then juggling everything on a straight.

It will take longer to do the front then it did to do the back but that's ok.

art or knitting?

I love how these look when all you have are the fingers. It's just fun.

Friday!!

I had to go get this pattern yesterday. I couldn't find any really great fabric for it so I bought a midweight denim. If it turns out great I'll order something great. I have the fabric in the wash right now. I think I need the shorter version because I'm not tall but I like the longer view with five pleats more then the shorter view with three.

*opps I deleted the picture, I'll have to add it to the top.*

The lace skirt is making some progress although it's hard to tell.

This one is the tree jacket from zephyr. I'm using cotton ease in Charcoal. I really hope this high collar doesn't drive my crazy. I thought about shortening it but I really like the way it looks in the picture.

Finished: half dome from knitty. Made for the man of the house. This is soooo soft. G wants new fingerless gloves and I'm wondering if I can use the same yarn I used for this hat to make the gloves, although...I should probably use something tougher. Or at the very least more washable.

need to be sewing

I really need to get back into sewing. I am totally in love with this skirt that Erica made. Its Vogue 8426. I have got to make myself one of these. I did cut out a pattern last weekend but that as far as I got . It was simplicity 3928, its a summery ,wrap ,short, knit robe. I'm just feeling to lazy to set up the serger. I know once I get it out and set up I will be fine but untill then I'm doing other stuff. That skirt might be just the thing to get my sewing groove back on.

So what have I been doing? I made the man of the house a cool hat. I used Debbie bliss cashmerino aran. Ohhhh my goodness this yarn is yummy soft. The pattern was halfdome from knitty. It was such a good hat for him that I am making a 2nd one. I also started the tree jacket from Zephyr. I really wanted a red one but because I am using cotton ease I went with the charcoal grey color. I just started it yeserday so not too much progress yet. I have also been trying to make some progress on the lace skirt made with hemp. I can't work on it for very long it kills my fingers. The yarn dries them out and the lace needles are seriously sharp. But I am starting to see some progress so that's good. Once I finish the lace section I know I'll be able to go faster.

I have been on a get fit frenzy as well. I do pilates regularly butI have also been ridding my bike daily and I just took up weight lifting. I want to be toned and slim. Mostly so the man of the house gives me that look... you know the one. The one that makes you feel like your the only women in the world.