All this means that I can't face taking photos today. It requires too much standing and bending for this broken body, I'm afraid. So instead I bring you a couple of FOs from my Christmas gifting pile. The ones I didn't share because I thought they might be revealing too much. The first FO is a fake fur stole that I stitched.
I gave one to my mother and one to my mother-in-law. Both of them thought they were shop bought. They couldn't comprehend that this was something that could be handmade. I think it was because the fur was so opulent.
This was my first time sewing with fur. It was a learning experience! I followed the tips given on BurdaStyle and it went fine. I won't say it was quick or easy, but it worked. Pulling out all the trapped strands of fur using a knitting needle was strangely addictive though! I think it was a very successful experiment, especially when you consider I have quite a big chunk of the fur and the lining left. I'm wondering what to do with it - maybe a fur lined muff? I shall have to ponder. It's not like it's going to go off or anything.
Secondly, I have a bag that I felted at the same time as making my felted slippers. In fact it was the same wool. I bought the skeins on eBay for a song, basically it was like buying the three skeins half price. I knew I needed one skein for the slippers and I searched for a pattern for the two remaining skeins. I found the perfect one, in the shape of the Woolly Bully Bag by Lori Puthoff. This pattern is lovely and a bit different, with garter stitch and stocking stitch combining to give lovely curved edges. It is also free!
Here is the bag after being felted, and then dried while stuffed with shaping materials.
By the way, that table top ironing board has saved my body so much pain. It is light and easy to get out and put away and when it sits on my table, it is the perfect height.
I really liked the finished bag and was all set to use it myself when I realised that the strap was just too short for me to wear it messenger bag style. I don't use bags that just sit on my shoulder, very often. It's because they always slip off, and when you are using a walking stick or rollator it's hard to shove the strap back to where it belongs. So, after sobbing that I wouldn't be using this bag, I thought about who else might want it. Maybe someone who is shorter than me - maybe a child. Then I thought about my step-niece, H. H, is 7 years old and quite a girly girl. She likes pink but it is being eased into the purple by my sister-in-law. Then I found the perfect fabric to line the bag, especially if being lined for a 7 year old girl.
I love this fabric. More importantly, H did too! I was stitching the lining in on the 27th of December, the day before we were due to do our "in-law's Christmas". I had left it so late because of being ill. I was determined to get it finished though, and I am so glad I did, because it finished the bag off perfectly. Changing it from a funky bag, to a funky bag for a 7 year old.
H, seemed to love it a lot. Apparently my sister-in-law does too! H, immediately put her stuffed toy in the bag and carried it up to bed with her at the end of the night. I think it will be useful for the little girl who has everything!
I am almost tempted to try the pattern again but on with the yarn held double on bigger needles. It is such a lovely shape.
To go and see other finished things, perhaps more recent than mine, click on one of the buttons below.
