Market Squares on Display

I just want to preface today's post with a warning that I've been in a bit of a cranky, depressed mood this weekend.  It's one of those times when I'm feeling utterly fat, ugly and lonely.  This mood was not helped by seeing the pictures I tried to take of myself wearing my new Aura cap, or knowing that none of the sweaters I like in the Rowan magazine will fit me.  I've been taking my aggressions out on my knitting.  Just realize that my knitting doesn't look half as bad as I'm probably making it seem today.

So, I present the finished Market Squares Bag...

            

I'm fairly happy with how it came out.  The change in color order that I thought wouldn't be terribly noticeable drives me nuts though.  I am aware of it everytime I look at the bag.  I don't know who I'm really fooling when I say that I won't be able to notice these things when they are finished.  I am pretty sure that I am aware of every single loose, or misshapen stitch that I knit. 

It was knit with Elann's Peruvian Highland Wool in (from the top rim down) Midnight Blue Sea, Daffodil, Brook Blue, Caylpso Green and Lime Ice.  For most of the colors I needed only one ball of yarn, but for two of them I needed two balls for an extra couple of inches of yarn.  Had I left shorter tails when I started a new ball of yarn, I probably could have used only one ball of each.  The Peruvian Wool yarn felts extreamely quickly.  Mine looked fine after one run through the washing machine, but I wanted my bag a bit smaller so I ran it through again it shrink it a bit more.  I had to stretch it quite a bit to dry it over a mop pail, but the pail gave the bottom a perfect flat shape.

Here is another shot, with the bag hanging to get a better look at the leather staps.  I purchased them at Homestead Heirlooms.  They are the 20" x 3/4" braided leather straps in the Chestnut color.  As my bag felted extreamely well (ie it shrank alot) the straps where the perfect length.  If your bag felted to a larger size you may want straps that are a bit longer.  I bought the matching leather cord to attach the straps with, as well as buttons to even out the weight of the straps.  I think they really help to finish off the bag and give it a professional look.

I also took a bit of time to line my Market Squares bag.  I did it in an incredibly simpe and easy way, no measuring or piecing anything together.  With the lining in place I can load quite a bit into the bag, without having to worry about the bottom pulling out of shape.  Even with the bag contents becoming quite heavy, the liner keeps the bag bottom fairly flat.  I had thought about putting something in at the bottom of the bag to keep it flat, but with the liner it wasn't really necessary.

For anyone else who wants a quick and easy method to line their bag, here is the method that I used.  After the bag is completely blocked to the shape that you want (and the straps are attached), take a piece of fabric and place it inside of your bag, right side up.  I used a piece of scrap fabric that I had, but I would guess that a 3/4 yard piece of fabric should be enough.  My piece was probably about a yard, and I had quite a bit left over.  Make sure that the piece is large enough to cover the inside of the bag completely.

Once the fabric is more or less in place, place a bowl inside of the bag.  The bowl should  fill the bag as much as possible, without coming up to the very edge of the bag.  I used a Longaberger large fruit basket liner in mine.  It fit just inside the bag perfectly.  Give a few tugs on the edges of the fabric.  With the bowl in place, the fabric will start to create pleats on it's own.  You may need to play around with it a bit to even them out.  (Using a clear bowl may help with this.)

Once the fabric is in place, use straight pins to pin the fabric to the bag just below the rim of the bag.  Use sissors and cut the excess fabric about an 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch from the top of the bag. 

Starting in one point and removing the pins as you go along, fold the excess fabric under and whip stitch into place just below the rim of the bag.  Remove the bowl and voila! instant bag lining.  It's quick, easy and no one will ever be able to tell you didn't take the time to custom make a pattern to line the bag.  It took me just a few minutes to get the fabric into place and pin it.  A bit more time to sew it, but that's just because I sew as slowly as I knit.  If anyone has any questions on any of these directions, just let me know. 

Overall this has been one of my favorite projects, if only because it attracts a certain "Wow" factor from people.  (And don't we all love a bit of praise on our knitting  now and then!)  I had it with me when I went to my LYS this weekend and everyone kept stopping me to check it out.  It give the appearance of being a much more difficult project than it actually is too.  Definately something I would make again, especially as a gift for someone.

Comments

[Vera]

Awesome, awesome bag! I love the straps! I've alread place a photo in the gallery.

[Karen]

I love your bag. I never would have known about the color order change. The leather straps and lining really make the bag something special.

[jillz]

It came out fabulous! I love it so much that I might make one for myself. It's a really great bag and it looks so complicated. The straps and the lining really give it pizazz!

[Janice in GA]

What color order change? I would never have noticed (or looked for it) if you hadn't said something! But we're all our own worst critics, aren't we?
The bag is lovely, and the lining idea is clever!

[Susie]

BEAUTIFUL! It's a great bag.

[Susan]

Nice job! I love the straps, too -- they're just the perfect color and look for the bag.

[monica]

Your bag turned out great! I really like the colors even though they bug you.

[Jenny]

I think it's great! Every time I visit your blog I wish I was a knitter. Very creative tip with the bag lining, too.

[Marlene]

"It's one of those times when I'm feeling utterly fat, ugly and lonely. This mood was not helped by seeing the pictures I tried to take of myself wearing my new Aura cap, or knowing that none of the sweaters I like in the Rowan magazine will fit me."

Ugh. I can SO relate to it ALL. I am right there with you these days.

[Luvtocraft]

You did a wonderful job on your bag. It is beautiful!! :)

[Janet]

Your bag looks great! You really cannot tell that you changed the colours unless you are familiar with the pattern. And really, the bag is made my you and you could use any combo of colours in any order you want. I like your lining. I am still trying to decide if I should line mine. I should, but haven't get the "get up and go" to do it. Same with sewing on my handles. Sigh. Too lazy around here.

[jillz]

I had to leave you another comment about your bag. I've been thinking about yours ever since I saw it yesterday and how gorgeous it is! I've been thinking about what color combinations I would like for my own bag and what wool I could order for it. Then, this morning I woke up remembering that I had some Lamb's Pride in my stash that would be perfect for the bag. You made me dream about a Market Squares bag!