This is Pete’s bag. I’m still ironing out how to close the flap, and here is an option that I think I like. What do you think?
It’s pinned right now. I’ll stare at it for awhile, and take into consideration any suggestions before sewing it in place. The loops are on the flap, and the knots come from underneath. He is in Italy, and I’ve heard (not from him) that Italy is notorious for pick-pockets, so do you think I should make something more secure? It needs to look masculine, as much as a felted purse-thing can, but he IS in Europe, and I think men carrying satchel/bags are more common over there than here in the States. I know I have some European readers, so feel free to speak up if I’m wrong.
As a catch-up for those of you who are new or don’t remember, my youngest brother-in-law asked me for a felted bag with these specific dimensions. He is currently living in Italy. He asked for it back in August, and it’s been a long process. The yarn, a dark charcoal Donegal Tweed by Tahki, is perfectly luscious felted.
Pete also asked for an Italian flag decoration somewhere on the bag. I looked for patches, my friend Gayle has looked for embroidery patterns, but in the end, I just knit one.
It’s garter stitch, made from Lamb’s Pride on little needles. Size two or three. It is also pinned. I’m thinking about moving it down to the very bottom of the side before sewing it on.
One of my favorite things on this bag are the secret pockets. The bag was knit separate from the strap, which was knit and then sewed on before felting. (Thanks to the great ladies at EB knit night for the idea). The strap goes all the way around the bag, and I sewed them together using the same method found on the Fiber Trends Felted Clogs pattern, when they sew the two soles together. It worked beautifully, and the gap between bag and strap on either side makes for a perrrrrrrrfect little pocket on each side, closed by a square of velcro at the top. Hopefully, it will fit his cell phone, because he asked for such a pocket in his original email.
Although this has been a stressful project for me, I’m happy with how it’s turning out. I combined different elements from different projects I’ve knit to make something new. Having it work out has been very satisfying.
Last night, the girls and I met Nate at his office after hours with dinner. Then we played Laser Tag. Nate works in a large, practically vacant building with empty offices, meeting rooms, and hallways. There’s also a raised hallway/meeting room with separating doors that parallels the main hallway, so you can literally run circles through a maze of empty rooms with abandoned desks and portable half walls strewn everywhere. I don’t think it could be more perfect.
Wanna see more?
March 7th, 2005 at 10:36 pm
Mrs. Peel…shoot! It’s on the tip of my tongue! I know it’s some ’60s action sitcom…not the ModSquad, is it? It was something hip, I know that…and she wasn’t Batgirl, because batgirl was a “miss” by day! Argh! This will drive me nuts today! 🙂
March 7th, 2005 at 11:04 pm
The Avengers! First name, Emma.
Pete’s bag is great. If he has room in the secret pockets to put his important things, he may not need more secure closures. Love the knots.
March 7th, 2005 at 11:21 pm
Gosh, that is a nice looking bag! I love the closure you came up with. Looks v. Security = I hope that closure is voted secure enough because it’s great! That yarn looks beautiful felted. Good going!
March 8th, 2005 at 1:55 am
You guys are the cutest! What fun! I hope to see you at the belly dancing open house, my pregnant sister in law is coming now too! See you soon!
March 8th, 2005 at 2:19 am
The knots are awesome! They look very cool and not girly. It seems like they might pose just enough trouble to a pick pocketer that they might just leave Pete alone and move on to an easier target.
Is the flag centered on the side of the bag? It doesn’t look centered to me in the picture but I may just not be able to tell. I like it at that position or higher, and centered on the side of the bag.
The last picture of the girls is totally cool! I love it!
March 8th, 2005 at 2:27 am
No doubt the mismatched socks were just to lull you into a false sense of security regarding her invincibility!
It looks like you guys had a blast.
And the bag looks great, too!
March 8th, 2005 at 3:53 am
I like the knots too! Oh, the laser tag looks fun!
March 8th, 2005 at 5:14 am
La, you’re BOTH too young to remember Mrs. Emma Peels, but The Avengers are probably right up Nate’s alley and I can see you getting into them, too. In fact, if I recall – there is an episode where people are getting murdered with knitting needles…
The bag looks great; I am not sure about the knots, but I haven’t seen them up close… I keep visioning a couple of buttons like your Lauralund has and maybe a way to cinch it tighter when it isn’t too full.
Having seen the bag live, I must say, it is VERY COOL and the side pockets ROCK! You should be very, very PROUD!!!
March 8th, 2005 at 5:29 am
Love the Avengers. Dah-dah-DAH-DAAAAAH!
You must put the specs up on this bag when you finish it. I think it looks great. What, exactly, is unmasculine about a man with a messenger bag? Come to Boston, lots of men have them.
March 8th, 2005 at 5:34 am
Thanks. I can probably post rough instructions for the bag.
The large, flat, laptop type messenger bags, I completely agree. My hubby carries those around. This one is much smaller and deeper than that. And it is felted as opposed to being made out of nylon or distressed leather
March 8th, 2005 at 5:37 am
would you ever consider publishing a rough pattern for the bag? it is absolutely lovely, and very well thought through! kudos!
March 8th, 2005 at 6:57 am
What adorable girls. The last photo is priceless. Love the bag, too.
March 8th, 2005 at 7:53 am
Those pictures are priceless. I especially love the last picture. LOL
March 8th, 2005 at 8:08 am
Love the bag and the closure! What if you put in a zipper or more secure closing on the inside? For when he has to travel…in public for a long time, or on public transport, or whatever? You’ll be able to still have the really cool flap closure but a zipper closes it more securely to a pickpocket, maybe. Just an idea 🙂
March 8th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Oh, your family is so cute! I can’t wait until my boys are a little older and we can do some crazy, fun things like that together. 🙂 It’s fun seeing them just be my babies as well, but of course me being the teacher I’m just itching for them to be more interactive. 🙂
Pete’s bag looks awesome – I like those knots, although if it were me I’d put buckles on like traditional satchels – the earlier comments may be right though, perhaps the side pockets are enough for security purposes. I’d love to see a pattern too – heh, heh, heh. Get on it, girl!
March 8th, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Geez…i was thinking never to have kids but I supposed I am now motivated by your pretty young gals to have 3!
March 8th, 2005 at 11:22 pm
Your felted bag is great! I live in Amsterdam – Netherlands and it is indeed very common for guys to carry satchel/backpack bags all the time. I love the colour you chose too! Very ‘manly’ *G* I am planning to knit the Monks Satchel from Interweave. The pattern is not felted but I plan to give it a go anyway as I think it would really make it special.
March 9th, 2005 at 7:54 am
I love the bag, too. Is it something you made up? Are you going to felt the little flag (I would, but that’s just me).
Lb
March 10th, 2005 at 1:52 am
I second the buckels idea, and I was going to say that I’d felt the little flag too.
I think the bag is great, and your girls are too cute!
March 11th, 2005 at 9:28 am
I can sympathize with your bag frustration. It is stressful to knit something to someone else’s specifications without a pattern. I was ready to tear my hair out while I was knitting the SpongeBob blanket. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that it was a request from my DH and and I wanted to preserve his faith in my skill.