So, bad news on the baby bird. Wednesday night as I was getting ready for work, I heard blue jays screaming, and ... well, to make a long story short, I watched the baby get eaten by cats (he had fallen/come down out of the tree, and couldn't fly). Thanks to everyone who thought good thoughts for him. To be perfectly honest, I really don't want to talk about it anymore, it made me very sad.
And moving on ... the rest of this post is brought to you almost entirely for Juno's amusement.
I'm still spinning, knitting a bit too. But the thing that's been totally captivating me lately is sewing. I'm an on again, off again sew-er. Sometimes I do it for days on end, sometimes not at all for weeks. (Kind of like my knitting lately, come to think of it.)
Several months ago, I had to design a tote bag for a beginning sewing class that I teach at Purl Patchwork. I tweaked the final design ages ago, a great bag with pockets that's totally reversible (I love the reversibleness of them best of all). But, being myself, I couldn't leave it alone and had to play around with different proportions, sizes, pocket variables, etc....
Umm... these are all knitting totes. And more than half of them have knitting in them. I've been resisting the urge to make them to coordinate with the knitting projects that they're used for. I've just been making them up as I find good fabric combinations (they're all lined with complimentary fabrics).
I've also made a few larger ones too
(I made the one on the far right yesterday, and right now its my favoritest of all. Piggies!)
Its become a little obsessive-compulsive, I think. And there are a few that aren't pictured either because they've been given away or because I was too lazy to dig them all out for a photo shoot.
Other than all of that, I've decided that today is the day I'm going to sit down and force myself to finish up another sock pattern for sale. Its one that I've had in the works for way over a year, but got lazy about finishing. I've knit the pattern four times already, I just have to finish writing it up. So stay tuned, maybe after the weekend I'll have the Norn pattern up and ready.
I TOLD you you should blog these. Fantastic!
Posted by: Juno | 19 June 2009 at 12:55 PM
These are fantastic. I've been sewing a little bit lately. I even took a class and that helped a lot with my insecurity towards sewing. Any chance you can post a tutorial for these bags? If you can't don't worry about it.
Is the knitting pattern Norn? I was just thinking about it yesterday or the day before and wondering what happened to it ;)
Posted by: Sonja | 19 June 2009 at 01:51 PM
Great bags. I bet you could sell that pattern too, if you wanted to...
Sorry about the baby bird. Even though my general view of these things differs from yours, cats are particularly cruel.
Posted by: JoVE | 19 June 2009 at 02:36 PM
Bird rescues are very hard. None of mine have ever made it, but I'm always glad that I tried.
Posted by: claudia | 19 June 2009 at 03:39 PM
Dear me, it must be something in the air. I made my first bag today (handwoven, inkle straps) and tomorrow I'll be sewing the mark II version. Mine are going to be sock knitting bags but that's because I've got a fabric width of 14".
I didn't expect that the jay story would end well but I'm glad I didn't have to witness it.
Posted by: Caroline M | 19 June 2009 at 05:34 PM
If it helps, I always (when possible) coordinate my project with it's bag. I love my Harmony KPs because they match everything. You're not alone in crazy land:)
Posted by: Robin Marie | 19 June 2009 at 11:32 PM
They are great! Reversible, how wonderful. I am a self taught sewer so I don't know that I am great at it but I do get inspired. those totes are inspirational for me. Something new to learn. The fabrics are gorgeous.
Posted by: Vicki | 20 June 2009 at 11:31 PM
I'm so sorry about the baby bird. On a happy note, I LOVE the bags. Great stuff, C.
Posted by: regina | 21 June 2009 at 11:19 AM
Here is a list of wildlife rehabbers in the tri state area... they are the place you should take any injured wildlife this way they are safe from other animals, and the person is trained in their special needs as wildlife.
http://www.nycwildlife.org/rehab.html
Posted by: Lexi | 26 June 2009 at 01:49 PM
How about putting the bag pattern up for sale too? Unlike blouses or pants that require specific curves for sleeves and crotches, the bag pieces look to be regularly geometric. You could show piece shape with detailed dimensions in the instruction sheet and still be able to do a pdf document. I'm always on the lookout for a good bag pattern/idea.
Posted by: Kim | 26 June 2009 at 05:21 PM
I love the bags! Too bad you aren't selling those.
The Norn sock pattern will be mine before the day is out.
Bird rescues - we've done a few but only 1 worked. So sad.
Posted by: Linda | 06 July 2009 at 02:54 PM