Help with design of felted bag, pretty please :)

[MandyWelch]

I am having a hard time finding the perfect pattern for a felted purse. I consider myself a beginner knitter (I taught myself last October) and need something that wouldn't be too much of a challenge. I like the idea of a partition. I like the look of the piped edge at the bottom of The Coco Bag (http://feltedhandbagworkshop.blogspot.com/). I'd like something big enough to carry my big wallet, checkbook, cell phone, lipstick and a pb book. I don't want something too large and frumpy. Maybe a flap over top or something to keep stuff from being in plain sight.

Oh, and I have some yarn set aside already:
http://i.pbase.com/o4/53/343853/1/62295212.wlZrnIdo.6222006113637AMjpg.jpg
The total yardage is about 600. Since the PF takes a bit more effort to felt, I was thinking it would be good for the base of the bag.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance :)
Mandy

[ladydemetreis]

Do you like backpacks? (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=20264&categoryid=32)

[ladydemetreis]

:lol: I just reread your post (lack of sleep)

Are you looking for a pic to go by to help designing or a pattern?

[ladydemetreis]

This looks cool Phalangies purse (http://honeypotyarns.com/page5.html)

You could add some velcro to close it and or opt not to make the "flanges".

[MandyWelch]

I'm looking for a pattern that has what I want or help in designing a pattern with a flap, partition and the piped edge. I want it to be a bit bigger than the Sophie Bag (http://www.blacksheepbags.com/sophie_bag.html) but maybe not as big as Elizabeth (http://www.blacksheepbags.com/elizabeth_bag.html).

Am I making sense? I just want the perfect bag, that's all :roly That's not too much to ask :lol

Mandy

[ladydemetreis]

http://www.junebugsplace.com/hkpurses.htm here's another list
Can't you just figure exactly how large in inches you'd want it and maybe gauge it that way? Like for the purses you linked to, do a variant of the two patterns.
To make a flap, I would just knit extra on that one side maybe put some decreases in there as well.

[MandyWelch]

Thanks for the link!! I had not found that one in my search. I *could* wing it I guess, but I really want it to turn out as it will be the purse I carry around with me everyday.

This is what I think about at night as I lay in bed, lol! I could try making a bigger Sophie bag with the piped edge and flap. I wonder how a partition would work? Could I make it like a giant pocket? When I felt the bag, will the pocket felt closed? I think instead of the twisted i-cord strap of the Sophie, I'd do more of a flat strap like the one on the Balloon Bag (http://feltedhandbagworkshop.blogspot.com/).

Thanks for letting me bounce some ideas off of you :) I know I sound a bit anal...but I'd hate for all this yarn and my hard work to go to waste if I don't like the final product. You can't frog a felted piece, KWIM?

Mandy

[ladydemetreis]

I do know when felting a pocket, just put a peice of plastic (possibly over cardboard the same size) and felt it that way.

[Go Get Your Smock]

Hi! It's me, Diane in Chicago. I wrote up the patterns for the The Balloon Bag (http://www.gogetyoursmock.org/TheBalloonBagWeb.pdf) and the The Coco Bag. (http://www.gogetyoursmock.org/TheCocoBagWeb.pdf) The Little Coco is fairly roomy, so a partition would help keep things organized. :scratchc:

You could easily add a partition like this knitter did here:
http://www.keyboardbiologist.net/Patterns/LittlePartitionedBag.html
I would make the partition go only about 3/4 of the way up the bag, so as not to interfere with the closure at the top, pleated OR flapped.

And for a flap, leave about 40 stitches (centered!) on one long side of the bag (cast off the rest) and work stockinette to the appropriate length. I-Cord cast off, and continue applied i-cord the rest of the way around the top of the bag for looks and for structure.

Make a 8 or 10 stitch seed-stitch strap, sew it on with scrap yarn.

Felt away!

I'd love to see pictures when you're done! And pattern notes, if you have them. Forging your own path is always so cool!

[marnie]

i do partitions and pockets and have never needed anything to stop the pieces from felting together - though i was TERRIFIED the first time i tried.

[MandyWelch]

I do know when felting a pocket, just put a peice of plastic (possibly over cardboard the same size) and felt it that way.

Thank you! I probably wouldn't have thought of that. Will the plastic stay in the right place during felting in the washer?

Mandy

[MandyWelch]

Hi! It's me, Diane in Chicago. I wrote up the patterns for the The Balloon Bag (http://www.gogetyoursmock.org/TheBalloonBagWeb.pdf) and the The Coco Bag. (http://www.gogetyoursmock.org/TheCocoBagWeb.pdf) The Little Coco is fairly roomy, so a partition would help keep things organized. :scratchc:

You could easily add a partition like this knitter did here:
http://www.keyboardbiologist.net/Patterns/LittlePartitionedBag.html
I would make the partition go only about 3/4 of the way up the bag, so as not to interfere with the closure at the top, pleated OR flapped.

And for a flap, leave about 40 stitches (centered!) on one long side of the bag (cast off the rest) and work stockinette to the appropriate length. I-Cord cast off, and continue applied i-cord the rest of the way around the top of the bag for looks and for structure.

Make a 8 or 10 stitch seed-stitch strap, sew it on with scrap yarn.

Felt away!

I'd love to see pictures when you're done! And pattern notes, if you have them. Forging your own path is always so cool!


Diane,

Wow, thanks for taking the time to respond to my little plea for help! Your instructions for the flap and partition really help :) I didn't even think to do the i-cord cast off and apply that the rest of the way around. That would look very polished.

Now to figure out how to work the colors...or decide if I want to use a different yarn :scratchc: I wonder how Noro Kuryeon would look? I'm making a Booga Bag for my mom's birthday in that and I'll be able to tell how well I'll like it once it's felted.

Thanks again!
Mandy

[MandyWelch]

i do partitions and pockets and have never needed anything to stop the pieces from felting together - though i was TERRIFIED the first time i tried.

Phew! Thanks!
Mandy

[Go Get Your Smock]

About that Kureyon . . . :two

sure is beautiful, but not so firm. It just does not hold it's shape over time -- especially if you are adding a partition and flap. The partition will show on the outside (i am guessing) and the flap will add extra weight in the middle and the thing will sag between the straps.

I've given up on Kureon for anything larger than a Balloon Bag, just too wimpy. And even on a Balloon Bag, I'd double-strand (which gets pricey!)

For a workhorse bag like the kind you are proposing, I think you'd be happier with two strands of something like Cascade 220 or Patons basic wool yarn. You might be able to get away with a single strand of Lamb's Pride, because it is a little heavier. You can mix in a novelty yarn for some panache. I'm guessing you'll need three skeins of about 200 yards each . . .

IMHO! :two

Diane in Chicago
www.feltedhandbagworkshop.com
Home of the Little Coco Bag

[MandyWelch]

Thanks for the advice on the Kureyon...since I have next to NO experience in the felted bag department, yarn recommendations sure are appreciated :)

I have made the Booga once before using Patons and 100purewool in different areas. It felted beautifully. I double stranded the bottom, so I know what you mean about the sturdiness. Hmmm, so much to consider...

Mandy