Too Much to Handle?

Well, I hope not, but I'm having trouble deciding on the design. I know all of the elements that we need (thanks to all of you!), but what should this thing look like? I think it is possible that there is a perfect knitting bag insert, rather than one design for all of us.

I'm going back to the basement to make a tote bag prototype. The last one was too small, but it is pretty. Hmmmm....

Haven't Forgotten!!!

I have not forgotten the contest, everyone, but life and living have interfered with getting out the final perfect bag. I just last week found the last thing that was holding us up- strong enough magnets for the clasps. Now I need only to finish sewing the prototype and draw from all of our wonderful suggestions for the winners.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the bag and the drawing will be ready this Wednesday. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the holdups. I hope that the final product is worth the wait!

First Post is a BIG One!!!

Might as well start with a bang, huh? Here goes...

Hi all. I’m working on doing something different over the summer- I need to get involved in something that isn’t studying veterinary medicine!

Anyhow, I love to sew, quilting was my first craft art as an adult. But when I had cervical spine issues, I picked up knitting since I couldn’t bend over the machine. Then I had opposing interests when my neurosurgeon was able to return me and my neck to full duty. (I know, this is not the worst problem to have!)

Well, my knitting and the quilting can overlap in bags. I’ve yet to find the perfect knitting bag, and I’d love more than just my ideas to go on. So, here it goes. I’m going to run a raffle here and all you have to do to enter is post a list of _at least_ the top three features that every knitting bag would have.

There will be one grand prize and two runner-up prizes.

~ Grand Prize: a full-size knitting bag, designed by me taking into account ALL of the entries, in the fabrics of your choice, plus a smaller Work-in-Progress bag to match, plus a coordinated notions sac to throw into either one AND a knitting needle case of your choice- for straights, circulars, or DPN’s.

~ Runners up: a work-in-progress bag (big enough for a lace shawl project or a few pairs of socks), designed by me after taking into account ALL of the entries, in the fabrics of your choice.

When I say “fabrics of your choice,” I mean it. Anything you can find for sale in a local quilt shop, home dec store, or online, I will purchase and make the bag for you. I really need your best ideas, people, so I’m going all out on this!

You may qualify for two separate entries if you have ideas that are different for a full-size knitting bag vs a WIP bag, but not if you have 6 ideas for the full-size bag. Just make one post with all of your ideas, and I’ll keep a tally.

This raffle will be drawn on June 30th, so I will be taking suggestions and ideas for over a month, and posting prototypes for you all to see and comment on here on the blog. I hope to generate a LOT of discussion, so let's get to it!

Oh, and don't worry AT ALL about covering similar ground as other people have posted already. If it's on your top 3 list, too, that's important information for me, as well! Just post whatever matters most to you.

And, if you post anonymously, please include your ravelry ID or some other way to get in touch with you when you're the lucky winner!!!

Comments overfilled on this post. (Wowsers!!!)

Please go here to enter the contest!!!

Some of my bags

I want for this raffle to be a success. I think that for that to be so, you have to believe that I am a capable seamstress (otherwise, why would you want a bag that I made for you?). So, here are a few of my recent bag projects:

I'd love to hear what you have to say about them! Don't forget to throw yourself into the hat for the raffle!!!

Row Counters

I have great news for you all! CrimsonOrchid, a mother-daughter company based in Canada, has agreed to provide the most wonderful row counters for you all to use on your perfect knitting bags. Whether you purchase a bag that I make or you use the pattern to make one yourself, I know you will use these lovely counters. You all clamored for a row counter to be included, so a row counter you shall have. And those plastic ones just wouldn't do, now would they?

So we are in the final planning stages on these, and we would love to hear your input. There are two styles that we can look at, discuss, and come to agreement on (I hope) as being the perfect accessory to be part of our "perfect" knitting bags!

• Green Row Counter:

An abacus for your knitting or crochet project. A stylish way to keep track of your rows with a beautiful and functional accessory.

This unique hand-crafted row counter is made of a flexible silver plated wire and features emerald green glass beads to compliment the clear glass beads. The focal bead is a beautiful furnace glass bead with pale green interior and dark green stripes and is set between two silver plated beads. The clear beads represent a count of one and the green beads represent a count of ten. The band for counting each row is made up of 4 Swarovski crystals in Emerald green and silver plated beads. Once ten rows are completed, the counting band is moved back up to the top of the clear beads to start over and the lobster clasp on the green beads is moved down one bead to represent a count of ten having been completed. This unique accessory allows for up to 99 rows of knitting to be counted. Instructions are included.

• Pink Row Counter:

An abacus for your knitting or crochet project. A stylish way to keep track of your rows with a beautiful and functional accessory.

This unique hand-crafted row counter is made of a strong nylon cord in pale pink and features pink striped glass beads to compliment the frosted white glass beads. The focal bead is a beautiful furnace glass bead with white interior and pink stripes and is set between two silver plated beads. The clasps for counting is made of Swarovski crystals, silver plated beads and silver plated lobster clasps. This unique accessory allows for up to 99 rows of knitting to be counted. Instructions are included.

Our options:

1. attached at the bottom, or each strand hanging free
2. flexible but sturdy nylon cording, or metal strand for beads
3. lobster clasps, crystal bands, or one of each for moving past beads

Each counter will match the color of the bag that I attach it to, and these ladies are so fun to work with and so amenable to suggestions or to special requests, you can make sure it matches the bag that you make, too!

Please leave your thoughts, opinions, other ideas, or just your astonishment at the beauty of these counters. We're looking forward to your input!