December 2, 2003
Welcome to Chicago
Lest you think that my efforts were only directed towards the cardigan over the weekend, I'd like to present the finish of Chicago. Mom and I had a felting adventure together, I dunked Chicago and she did her first ever felting project, one of Julie's very popular Booga bags.
Here's the finished bag before taking a swim. Since the last pictures, I created the two i-cords and grafted them to the other side and I knitted up the flap using a short-rowing technique I pinched from the MultiDirectional Scarf pattern.
Chicago Before the Long Hot Bath
Two washer cycles later, here's the project as it dries in my knitting room:
Chicago After a Swim
The finished project is about 11.5" wide, 5.5" deep and 4.5" tall. It narrows from bottom to top on the sides. For a closer look at the side: Chicago, A Side View (this also gives a better look at the straps, which came out perfectly!). The back is quite plain, but you can take a look at Chicago from the Back Side (those handy binder clips are helping to set the shaping in the side).
To give you a better sense of proportion, here's the Chicago bag carrying a very trendy sock project -- there's plenty of room for a full skein of Opal and a sock-in-progress plus some extras. Because it narrows towards the top, you can't really pack it to the hilt.
Sock Project On the Go!
And finally, here's a picture with me shouldering the bag. The straps are of moderate length (they could be shortened if just a little handbag was desired). I put my wallet and my mobile phone in the bag for this shot so you could see how the bag hangs with some real weight in it.
Chicago in Action
And if you want a modelled picture of how it looks from the side, here's theChicago, Side Model Shot
I still am going to play with the flap a bit. I'd like to see if I can widen it just a skoosh with the help of steam and a heat. I am probably also going to try to make a 3/4 size version of the pattern.
It has the following "elements":
- full fashion shaping
- i-cord straps
- contrasting color or same color triangular short-rowed flap
- some post washer prodding required
So whaddaya think? What do you like? What would you change? What options would you want? Does it radiate cute urban and fun? Would you want multiple size options for it? Is it a pattern you would want in your library?
That is SUCH classy bag. And you wear it so well. You bet it radiates cute urban and fun! That is one pattern I'd want in my library. I'd like multiple size options for it - small, medium and large. Makes for good gift options, too.
Love it!
P.S. Oh, and how about a none felted version? Would it vary greatly from the felted version?
It's GORGEOUS! I like it just as it is but, were I to make one for myself, I would make it shorter (widthwise, with only about 2" of black on each side of the flap) but keep the flap the same width.
I would also probably add a button and icord loop to keep the flap down, or a snap on the inside of it at least.
You did an amazing job, it's one of the very best knit purses I've ever seen.
Excellent pattern! I love it! The overall effect is very chic-uptown-which I am sure you were going for. Because I worry about "potential boogie men"-can you incorporate a fancy button, or closure of some kind? Otherwise-it's a go.
I love the bag! You did a fantastic job and I would love to have the pattern (as is or in multiple sizing).
Very sleek looking! A slightly larger flap that can be secured (button, snap, oh! toggle!, etc.) would be great. It is definitely a must-have for the urban knitter.
looks great and i would love the pattern, too! latifa
yes it "radiates" urban chic you are too funny. turned out great, i would prob. make straps shorter as you suggested, and some kind of closure to flap as someone else said - but nothing too annoying (i hate it when they don't close, but i hate it when they close and i can't open it with one hand) great job, congratulations! (bring it on thursday, OK!!!)
That's my bag! I've been saying that I need a black winter purse and that's what I'm looking for!
Put me down for a copy of your pattern! I think I would add one of those magnetic snaps to it (found them at my local sewing shop) just to keep things from falling out.
You're so creative--great work.
Such a great bag. I would love the pattern. I would probably like the flap to be a bit wider though, and like others have said, some kind of closure. I love the double straps. And what shaping...wowsers. It's a beaut!
great bag! love it! so simple and sophisticated looking... great job!
Oooh, I like the magnetic snap idea that someone else suggested. Very nice! I love this bag. Totally urban and chic. I would probably make about three of these! I like the size but it would be nice to have one smaller too. GREAT JOB!!
Karen
It's a teriffc pattern and a very handsome bag. I like the strap length just as it is and the triangular flap is perfect!
Oh, it's great! I've been looking for a good pattern for a winter bag, and this one is just the thing!
Chicago is fabulous! The only change I'd make is the already suggested secure closure. And I'd DEFINITELY want the pattern!
Tha tis an swesome bag! I know a few ladies for which I would love to knit tht bag!
Love it, love it, love it! I really dig the shaping. I definitely want the pattern!
Very cool, chic. I'd certainly make it. Maybe black with a jet button, and/or maybe beads on the flap. Don't they call that a profile bag?
LOVE the bag. I would definitely like the pattern. Multiple sizes would be nice, as some like bags small and some like bags big. Great job, I'm impressed.
Wow! Thanks to everyone for their comments. I'm going to look into those magnetic snap closures for the bag -- I like the way the flap crosses the front of the bag and am not sure how a button would look.
As to an unfelted version, it should be possible, but I am not sure that the shaping would hold up very well. The felted fabric is much denser and thicker than the unfelted fabric. I'd be willing to bet that it would work with a small bag (that wouldn't hold too much) but larger bags would become structurally unsound.
I'll start working on the 3/4 size bag soon. It will likely have shorter handles (both proportionally and actually). The good thing about the icord handles is that you can make them whatever length you want.
Love it,
I hope the detail are available to the knitting world soon.
Really nice bag and I like the contrasting colors. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
The bag came out great. It would make a nice purse or a sock knitting bag. I really like the double handles.
Perfect just as it is! Yes, I would enjoy having this pattern in my library.
I love the bag you made!! I hope to add it to my library too.
Thanks for sharing. As a fellow Chicagoan, I have to say I LOVE the Chicago bag. I concur with the changes I read about (closure and shorter straps), and I'd love the pattern(s) when all is complete.
Now this is one purse pattern I'd love! Let me know when it is ready and I'll be right in line to purchase! It's fantastic!
i love this! i have been looking for a bag to make that didnt look toooo crafty to use when going to dinner or what have you. and being from Chicago, how could i not make this?! please put me on an email list if there is one, to know when the pattern is available! i love it!
Love it! How can I get the pattern!
What a neat little bag! I would love to get the pattern, if possible. My suggestion would be to make the flap a little bigger, but I'm sure that by looking at the pattern I could figure out how to do that. (maybe, maybe not.)
What a neat bag. Where can I get the pattern? It would make a great project for show-and-tell at our spinners and weavers guild. We do quite a lot of felting but we haven't done much felted knitting.
It just looks so useable...
All you people with snow - its about 35 celcius here and summer is only just beginning, I sort of envy you a bit.
Wow, that is wonderful, and I would love the pattern. I've just taken up knitting since Xmas, after a hiatus of 30ish years, at which earlier time I learned how to basically cast on, knit and purl in junior high. I've done a large felted project bag and two long-handled chic little party purses for my daughter. They are hits with everyone who sees them, and I love felting! I've also done a v-neck sweater, two baby sweaters, and about a million scarves. As my daughter says, "Mom, when you do something, you are OBSESSIVE." I guess she's right, and I'm having so much fun learning something new with each project. But I love stumbling upon people's blog sites, too. How does one start one of these? They are a blast.
I like that!!! Nice bag and nice colors. I especially like the shape!
I would love the pattern if possible.
In advance thank you!
Virtuella from Norway
Yes, I definitely want the pattern! It's just great. I've been looking for some felting project for some time but couldn't find the right thing. Chicago is it. Greetings to the wonderful city!
Beate