A Book Bag for Bag Ladies

I've always been a bag lady. Most knitters and stitchers are, aren't they? I've got bags all over the house hanging on doorknobs and chairbacks filled with projects and yarn and needles all in varying states of doneness. They are kind of comforting - I never feel like I am alone because there are always projects waiting to be worked on.

Last year, Pam Allen asked if I would do a bag for a new book she was working on which has become Bag Style. She wanted it something like this one which has been really popular on Interweave's download site. I suggested a "book bag" size - not too big so the knit fabric wouldn't stretch when the back got heavy but big enough for knitting projects or books and magazines.

Here my bag is on the backcover of Interweave's new "Bag Style."


And here it is inside.


I wanted to add some embroidery to it but wasn't sure if she would like it. So I compromised and made one side decorated with embroidery and the other plain.

Pam showed it both ways. Here is the original swatch with two different ideas for the embroidery. I decided on the blue one.



Yes, it is the same swatch but different light - what a difference light makes with color!

When I make bags with "bottoms" I use plastic needlpoint canvas for the bottom. I cut it to size and then sew it into the bottom of the bag. The holes in the canvas make it easy to sew to the knit fabric. Then I line the bag with a washable cotton. If the plastic canvas is attached securely all the way around, it won't shift while you are schlepping stuff. It also washes beautifully - much better than cardboard which will disintegrate. It is also very reasonable and readily available at craft stores.

I didn't want the handles to stretch because when bags get heavy, they get heavy. I braided many ends of the yarn together and then felted the braids. Then I trimmed them to the length I wanted and sewed them on really securely.

I hope I get this bag back to add to my bag collection.