cherishables: tote

Showing posts with label tote. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Same Pattern - Different Yarn - Two Beautiful Purses

I posted earlier about how enamored I am of this purse pattern, pictured below, offered by Rachels Crochet on Etsy.

I've made two so far. A grey one and one in pink & orange. I know what you're thinking. Pink & orange?!? You should've seen the look on my Mom's face when I told her my plan. She has excellent taste so, normally, that look would stop me -- but I knew it would be beautiful. And it is!

The point of this post, however, is to talk about the end result when using different yarn. The grey purse was made using Patons Classic Wool in two shades of grey. The pink purse was made using Patons Roving. Both are 100% wool. For both purses, I held one strand of yarn.

Patons Classic Wool is a worsted weight yarn (weight #4.) While Patons Roving is a bulky yarn (weight #5.) The picture below shows the two different types of yarn (but in different colors, because I haven't replenished my grey or pink yet.)

Classic Wool on the left and Roving on the right. See the difference?

Since they are different weights, I used different hooks for each purse. I used an I hook for the grey purse and moved up to a J for the pink.

If you've ever used Classic Wool, you'll know it feels a little scratchy -- as wool can do. Once it is washed, however, it becomes so soft. Depending on where you stop in the felting process, you can keep the soft feel or let the item felt a bit more to shrink the item and make it stiffer. The grey was the first I made with this pattern, so I opted to stop when the purse was a certain size. I was less concerned about stiffness.

As a result the grey purse is soooo soft! I honestly had to put the finished purse away because I kept touching it. The trade off for all that softness is the grey purse does not hold the pleat as well as I would have liked. To help it along, I put a couple of stitches in the pleat to hold it together. I think it looks fantastic! A lovely shape, nice pleat and a soft as a kitten purse?! Yes please!

The pink purse, which was made with Roving, I love for a whole different set of reasons. The roving, which is bulkier, felted down to more of a material feel. It's not as soft as it was in the wrapper, but look at how it holds its shape! You can see the difference in the pictures below.

See the difference?

The pink purse feels more like you would expect a felted purse to feel. It has a lovely texture to it and it feels substantial. The grey purse feels soft and cuddly and makes me want to put it in my lap and pet it all the live long day.

I don't like one more than the other. They're just different.

I will continue to make this purse and I will make it with both types of yarn. I may try to felt a little longer with the Classic Wool or, perhaps, use two strands to bulk it up a bit. I will also make others in the same fashion as the grey & revel in the softness.

What is your experience felting? Do some brands felt differently than others? Do you like one "type" of felt more than the others? I would be interested to hear your experiences.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Mmmmm...Ripe Watermelon

It's summertime here in good ol' NJ. Is there anything more synonymous with summer than watermelon?

Pattern by Pomquat.

I love this color! Makes me want to bite right into a nice, juicy watermelon. And spit seeds at my sister and brother.

I really like the lining in this purse. The pattern is a lot of fun and the light background will make it easier to find stuff that falls to bottom. I also included two pockets -- one on each wall. On the back wall, the pocket is split to hold lip gloss (so important!) and a standard-size cell phone. One the opposite wall I have added the same-sized pocket, but no split. This pocket would easily hold a smart phone.

This purse is being offered through my Etsy shop along with a lighter pink version.

More purses, and entries, to come. I've actually crocheted 3 purses in three nights. Next step is to felt and then line the purses. I hope this energy level holds for a while. I could get a lot done!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

A Swan is Born

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make something old new again. A little polish, a little trim, a little bling and...voila! Your old item is re-made and better than ever.

Last autumn I made this bucket bag to take on a trip to Gettysburg. I knew there would be lots of walking and that I would want to carry stuff -- my wallet, an umbrella, a pashmina, suntan lotion, lip gloss. I wanted a cross-body bag that wasn't too big and didn't have pockets sticking out of it. Can't. Stand. Those. Blech.

So, I made this little number:

Pattern by KnitArtbyGrace.

It's your standard bucket bag, but with a long strap. Naturally, it's felted. It's a very pretty green. Kind of like a mossy green. This picture does not do the color justice. But, it was just that. A sack. No lining and, as it turns out, with a strap so long the bag could hang down past my knees. Oops! Not enough felting time with the strap. But, I tied up the strap and carried on. It served me so well I used it the entire autumn until I made this pretty tote for winter:

My own design inspired by a pattern from KnitArtbyGrace.

I l-o-v-e ♥ this bag! Look at the ruffle! But that's a post for a different day. Back to the green bag.

So I was getting my stuff together & remembered I have this very serviceable green bucket bag that would be perfect for this weekend trip. Again, lots of walking & stuff to carry and I don't want to carry a shoulder bag.

There's nothing really wrong with the bag as is, but I started thinking about all my new bags that have linings. And pockets! Quick trip through the stash and this nice bag now has a happy yellow lining, with bumble bees, and three pockets.

Three pockets! Including one just for lip gloss!!

Then I cut the strap down so I wouldn't have a knot on my shoulder and I added some green trim I bought from the home decor department of my local fabric store. I had dreams of turning this trim into a purse handle. I still might try that, but for now it's a pretty trim on my green bag.

The duckling is now a swan!

It's not much and it didn't take a lot of time, but it's like I have a brand-new bag. Even though it's felted, the green feels very spring-y to me. It's also very soft from all the love it got in the fall. Just perfect and I love it all over again!