What You Want in a Bag- Materials

So, last post about the compilation of your ideas. And this one is easy. We all want the "perfect" knitting bag to be made from quality materials, for the fabric to be stylish, but washable, and sturdy. We also want the lining to be a light color- none of us likes a black hole for a bag (unless it means that we can carry heavier stuff without breaking our shoulders- then we might consider it).

Some of us want some sort of feet for the bottom of the bag. I'm working on finding a solution for that. I think it may be cost prohibitive, and we may end up with a darker color for the bottom of the bag instead. If you know of an inexpensive source for bag feet, do please leave it in the comments.

With that, I'm off to the sewing table. Today, I tackle the divider construction.

What You Want in a Bag- Pockets 3

We don't just want pockets on the inside of our bag, we want some very specific pockets on the outside of the bag, as well. I have decided to include three elasticized and pleated pockets on the bag gussets- one for a cell phone, one for an mp3 player, and the final one for a half-liter bottle of water (or, in my case, iced tea sweetened with apple juice). Also on the outside of the bag will be a detachable key clip. I thought about providing a pocket for them to settle into as well, but our keychains are all so different in size! What do you think?

What You Want in a Bag- Pockets 2

Yesterday I told you about the removable pouches that will come with the "perfect" knitting bag. Today let's talk about the pockets we will find inside the bag...

• specific slots for essentials: pen, dry-erase marker, pencil, crochet hook, measuring tape, needle gauge, *knitting* glasses. I imagine these all next to each other with a simple flap over top to protect our project from snagging on them. I also see them high on the inside of the bag, so we have easy access to them.
• see-through pockets: I'm looking into finding a good see-through fabric. This was one of the ideas that I would never have come up with on my own. You really are having a great impact on the design of the "perfect" knitting bag!!!
• more full-length magnetic-closing pockets, wide enough to get our hands into. I hate turning a bag upside-down to get something clear of a pocket, don't you?
• specific scissor pocket with snap closure and scissor leash. I'm waiting to hear from a lovely row-counter beaded accessory maker to work on having your row counter on your scissor leash.
• divider pocket that doubles as a pattern/ magazine/ book holder. This pocket will divide the bag into your purse-type stuff and your knitting stuff, or into two knitting projects. It will be at least legal-size, and will have a ring clip so your pattern can hang easily from the outside of the bag and then -whoosh- back into the bag for the pick-up-and-go gals among you who ride the bus, or live with kids, or just have a life. :)
  

What You Want in a Bag- Pockets 1

So, you all want pockets. Some of you want very particular pockets. Very, very particular. :) It makes me happy to read your pocket wants, because I am very much a pocket girl. In my time in the emergency clinic, I sewed myself and all of the other technicians waist strap-on pockets, basically they were the dreaded fanny pack, because scrubs don't have enough room (and they start to sag when you over-pack them).

I hear you about the pockets. 3 days' worth of this outline series will be dedicated to them. If we all agree about handles, we kinda don't agree about pockets. But that's ok, because I think we will all LOVE the ideas that we've generated here. So, here's pockets: day 1- removable pouches.

We need removable pouches. That is the conclusion that I have come to. We need a pouch for our notions, we need a needle case specific to our knitting preferences, we need to have a little case for darning needles, and we need my surprise knitting pouch. That will have to wait until the final rollout of the "perfect" bag, but I promise you a revolution in your stranded knitting and even in your simple one-skein wonders.

The thing I'd like to know from you, my darling readers, is whether you'd like to have pouches for your mp3 players and cell phones, and whether you'd be interested in a matching wallet or business card holder. So, respond here about that or anything about removable pouches. And don't forget to enter the raffle if you haven't done so yet. It costs you nothing but a few minutes' time, and you may win a "perfect" knitting bag of your very own!!!

What You Want in a Bag- Handles/ Straps

Looks like we all agree for the most part about straps and handles for our "perfect" knitting bag. This outline is short for that very reason. The perfect knitting bag will have both handles and one or two shoulder straps.

• shoulder strap(s) (no shorter than a 10" drop) adjustable to messenger length
• handles attached securely to bag, and don't get in the way!
• both are reinforced, sturdy. strap has something lining it to keep it from slipping off shoulder. I'm imagining that canvas as a backing will do the trick.
• wide enough to keep them from cutting into our shoulders. 2.5-3" wide should do real well.

If this list doesn't match what you imagine as the straps on the "perfect" knitting bag, and you haven't yet put your hat in for the raffle, you still have time to influence the design process! The raffle post is the first one on the first page of the blog, and you may win a "perfect" knitting bag for not too much trouble. Entries will be accepted through June 30th...

What You Want in a Bag - Body

What you want in the body of a bag:

• roomy
• fit whole sweater project: decided to make pattern adjustable to larger sizes, but the “perfect” bag can't be big enough for a large afghan- it has to be lighter than that (idea from contest entrant: 20”w x 16”t x 8”w for the afghan size)
• not too deep
• fit wallet, phone, pouch, WIP bags
• look into airline under-seat dimensions
• lightweight on its own
• modified messenger shape- able to open VERY big!
• changes to a backpack?
• NOT top-heavy!!!
• top closure- sewn-in magnetic strip + metal strip = secure closure with no damage to yarn or project!!! (this was an idea that I came up with after reading all of your suggestions, and was perfected by a discussion with Husband)
  
• slot for business card so it can find its way home...

What You Want in a Bag

I've finished the compilation process for the first 94 comments. This is a GREAT starting place for me, and for those of you interested in using this for your own design project, I thought I would share this. So, watch here every day this week, and I'll post another section for you to read & use.

I'll be using the outline to design the "perfect" knitting bag this week, and hopefully have a prototype for you all to see in 7 days' time.