(Almost.)

The bag I started nearly a year ago sat around in pieces after I got it blocked in January. I finally got organized enough to trace the pieces for the lining and construct the bag about a month ago.

(The alert reader will notice the difference between the flap now that the duplicate stitch work is done and the flap when I last posted about this project.)

I suppose it isn’t surprising that I waited. I had to fuss with the lining, adjusting until it fit, and it took a while to get it all worked out. I did manage to add in some pockets for small tools, including my beloved stitch and needle gauge. I used a heavy interfacing to give the bag some body, which worked, although I would have been happier if I’d used fusible interfacing. Then I could have stuck the lining to the interfacing and gotten a cleaner finish.

The only thing it still needs is clasp to hold it together. My friend Deb has suggested Norwegian pewter clasps. While they are beautiful, I think I’d rather just use some hook and eye closures so that the claps are invisible. The front of the bag seems complicated enough without adding more stuff to it.

It only took me 9 months to get from knitted to constructed. Any bets on how long it takes me to get the closure put on the flap? If I could, I’d go without one, but when you pick the bag up by the strap, the whole things sags and the flap pops up, making it easy for the yarn to jump out and escape.

Watch this space for reports on other knitting projects I’ve been playing with lately.