Totes Adorable

Today we're going to have a look at the selection of tote bag patterns I've picked out. This post is the third in the series of five bag posts I've done -- I've also done posts on selected clutches/wristbags, handbags, messenger bags, and backpack designs.

The above pattern is the "Hello" Fair isle bag, from Bergère de France, although I think it could also be aptly named "the Hell Bag". Isn't there an expression about how one's life is "going to hell in a handbag"?

For those who feel unable to leave their Hudson's Bay blankie at home, I present this Felted Knot Bag, by k | knits.

Summer Fling, by Espace Tricot. A light, minimalist style bag. It's a free pattern.

ATX Linen Tote, by Staci Perry. Another light, sling-style bag with a smart stripe pattern. This bag and the one above aren't the bags for carrying a lot of stuff, but sometimes one doesn't need to carry a lot.

Plaid Squared, by Susan Rainey. This one looks both smart and sturdy.

Bedouin Bag in 3 Sizes, by Nora J. Bellows. These look as though they came from an expensive shop. The simple ridges add so much.

Felted Tote with Kureyon Scraps, by Janet D. Russell. This one would be an awesome stash buster.

Flock of Sheep Bag, by Denny Gould. How cute is this little bag?

Sand and Sea Felted Tote, by Maria Do Souto. Love the stitchwork on this one.

Felted Snowflake Tote, by Lion Brand Yarn. I really like that this one employs two complementary patterns.

Plein Air Tote, by Amanda Scheuzger. Love this one, though I believe I'd size it down a little, perhaps by using a slightly lighter yarn or smaller needles, as it does look awkwardly large.

The Bag, by Wendy Wonnacott, published in
No Sheep For You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo, and Other Delights. The other sample photos on the Ravelry page for this design show other, more muted colourways, but this bag looks best in the sharp contrast of black and white.

Bar Harbor Shell Bag, by Madeline Langan. This would be a fun one to plan a colourway for.

Intricate Stag Bag, by Norah Gaughan. Love the stag graphic in this one.

Shigra Diamonds, by Vicki Square, published in Folk Bags: 30 Knitted Patterns & Tales From Around the World. Ooh, this colourful harlequin-like effect is a lot of fun.

The Medallion Travel Bag, by Nora J. Bellows. The stitchwork on this is fabulous.

The Fleur Tote, by Ann Kingstone. Very pretty!

Tree Hugger, by Vickie Howell, published in AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher. I love the Shaker-like image of the needled-felted tree on this one.

Everything Totes, by Nora J. Bellows. These are so polished, and they also look capacious.

Bird Bag, by Pierrot Yarns Patterns. This one has an attractive folk art appeal. It's a free pattern.

Felted Tribal Bag, by Lion Brand Yarn. This one would be just the thing to wear with ankara, kente, or dashiki print clothing. And it's a free pattern.

Celandine, by Diane Bertolatti. I like this one's simple shape and neutral tone. It could go just about anywhere with just about any woman's outfit.

Amethyst Organiser, by Diane Bertolatti. This one's fun, and it also looks practical, because handy little pockets are always a nice feature in a bag. Making your own bag can be such an advantage in terms of the bag's convenience, because you can customize the pockets by adding whatever size and style of pockets you want to the body or the lining.

Just So Bag, by Andrea Babb. This one's both polished and visually interesting.

Superb OWL: The Felted bag, by Deborah Tomasello. A cute bag for the owl-lovers among us.

Wheatsheaf Carpet Bag, by Linda Cyr. This one's definitely a stand out. I remember reviewing it when it appeared in Interweave's Jane Austen Knits in 2014. The bag gets its great shape from an internal frame, and those are the best felted handles I've ever seen -- they look as good as leather or vinyl handles in the same style. The pattern's lovely too.

Rose Window Tote, by Laura Barker. As someone who does stained glass, I am always here for stained glass effects in knitting, and this an especially pretty example of a "stained glass window" knit. I would replace those wimpy-looking straps with leather or vinyl ones, though.

Carpet Bag, by Susan Mills. Very much like the pattern on this bag. It's a free pattern.

Twist Collective July 2018: A Review

Twist Collective has released their July 2018 issue, and it so happens to be their tenth anniversary issue. Let's congratulate them and have a look at it, shall we?

Metropolis. Not a bad little jacket. The collar sits well and the cable and pleat detail on the back make for a finished look.

Rockefeller. Nice, wearable piece. A sleeveless knit top with some interesting detail is such a useful piece for summer, because it can be dressed up or down, worn with nearly anything, and go nearly anywhere.

Heliotrope. Not bad. The ribbing detail gives the piece a contemporary feel.

Greenwich. This is quite a vivid, interesting piece. I'd put this shawl over a simple outfit.

Intrepid. Classic cabled cardigan.

Bellflower. Beautiful lacework in this one.

Alinea. This one's a rather interesting, modern-looking design. And though it has dropped shoulders, I think this is one of those rare exceptions when the dropped shoulders work so well with the design that it's unnecessary to fix them.

Deloraine. Pretty little lacy cardi for the warmer seasons.

Primp. This is cute, and has a couple of interesting twists. The ribbed cuffs and bottom are a nice touch, as is the way the triangular buttons echo the triangular lace motifs.

Concourse. Fabulously punchy. I couldn't not notice this one if I saw it on someone.

Windjammer. A crisp and lovely take on the classic Breton-stripe sweater.

Osculation. A very appealing contemporary-style wrap. I've used a photo that shows the entirety of the shawl, but as you can see from the other photos on the design's Ravelry page, it looks very good on.





Liminal. I like the back wrap detail, and the eyelet edging, but I've got my concerns about how flattering that A-line shape is likely to prove.

Eigengrau. That fair isle pattern is fantastic.

Aerial. This one has a certain minimalist appeal.

Solaris. Rather a nice piece with some pretty lace detailing.

Glint. What a darling little capelet.

Donastia. I would work the lace pattern in the sleeves all the way to the top of the raglan for this one rather than having the top part of the sleeve in stockinette, which creates a dropped shoulder effect.

Awelan. This is a rather graceful, flowy, layering piece.

Casablanca. Another eye-catching, contemporary-style shawl.

In the Bag

Last week I posted a selection of clutch and wrist bag patterns; in today's post I offer my picks for handbag/purse designs. I've also done posts on selected tote bag, messenger bag, and backpack designs.

The above photo is of the mini-backpack and handbag of the Tensity pattern, designed by Talitha Kuomi. Having scrolled through 65 pages of handbag designs on Ravelry to find the eighteen patterns for this post, I can tell you that I definitely recommend using commercially made handles, buckles, and other hardware to finish off a handknitted bag. It elevates the look from "homemade" to "polished". These bags simply wouldn't be nearly as smart-looking without their straps and buckles. Since selection of straps, handles, and hardware can be limited, I also advise purchasing them before you begin your project -- perhaps even before selecting your yarn -- as it can be such a letdown to finish one's bag project and then not be able to find complementary hardware. I also advise lining your bags whenever possible, even if the pattern doesn't call for it (these particular bags are lined), not only with a durable, washable lining fabric, but also with a sturdy interfacing and possibly also batting if it seems necessary to give the bag shape. This will generally require the use of a home sewing machine and at least basic sewing skills.

The Damask bag, from the Berroco Design Team. Felting is another recommended direction for handmade bags, as it makes the bag far sturdier than knitting alone can do. And it can be used to create some interesting visual effects. Love the damask flower on this bag, the handles work perfectly with it, and the braided cord adds a lot too.

The Viking Bag, by Karen S. Lauger. A classic bag. Interesting yarn and hardware choices will go a long way towards mitigating the "knitting bag" look.

The Billington Bag, by Snowden Becker. How cute are these bags? The stitchwork gives the simple shapes and colour choices all the interest they need.

The Cinch, by Nora J. Bellows. This looks exactly like the kind of bag you'd see in an expensive store and sigh over. The little metal label is a nice touch.

Molly's Carpetbag, by Cricket Toomey. This bag is so cute, and smart enough to carry with a suit. If my enthusiasm over this quality comes across as over-the-top, well, you weren't sitting beside me as I trawled through the aforementioned 65 pages of handbag designs on Ravelry, a disturbing proportion of which looked for all the world like toilet paper cosies with straps.

Tree of Life Felted Purse, by Cindy Pilon. The exception I would make to my "go with commercially made hardware and straps" advice is if you want a monotone look like this one, which of course you're often not going to get with anything but handles made from the same yarn.

Trellis Tote and Flap Bag, by Diane Sutliff. This one's a lot of fun. Noro yarns like these will make a uniquely colourful bag.

Bag of Checks. A felted, oversized houndstooth effect combined with a good shape.

That's Mr. Morris to You, by Jenny Tabrum. Here's another appealing handbag with an attractive felted motif and a good shape.

Floral Felted Bag, by Nicky Epstein. I think I'd know a Nicky Epstein design if I met it in the dark. She's very fond of whimsy and of tapestry-inspired designs.

Wishbone Cable Handbag, by Karen Payzant. Some interesting cabling in this, and the shape is good.

Bow Me Over, by Bonnie Golding. This project would be a fun one to pick out a yarn/fabric combination for.

Junior Doctor's Bag, by Mel Clark. The chevron stitch used here is such a good look with a classic shape.

Lacey Leaf Satchel, by Pam Powers. Very pretty and distinctive bag.

Evelyn, by Carol Galasso. Reinforcing flat felted straps with fabric is another handle option, and a good one, as this bag could definitely pass for "commercially made and sold at an expensive, trendy store".

Magnolia Handbag, by Sini Huupponen. Felted handbags make good canvases for some charming embroidery motifs if you're so inclined. This is adorable.

Plaid Felted Purse, by Cindy Pilon. Another super cute bag. Make this bag in a woman's personal palette of favourite colours and it will be a perfect and useful accent bag for her wardrobe.