The last fair for 2011

Well, Christmas has come and gone but I managed to keep forgetting to put up the pics for the Ealing 135 Christmas gift fair.   The girls organising the event did such a good job and a fun evening was had by all. 

So many bags.....

Kiddie's Draw string bag!

As Christmas is quickly approaching I am trying to not only get stuff ready for the Christmas gift fairs but also for all those lovely nieces and nephews I am blessed with.  This draw string bag was an idea i wanted to try, without a pattern you never really know how it will turn out.  Thankfully, I am pleased with the end project and I think it will be a hit for the younger ones to put their toys and books in.

The Loopy Scarf

Tina in the Loopy scarf

On a trip to the London Stitch and Craft Show I came across the Loopy yarn.  The name of it alone made me think that I wanted to work with it.

Generally the yarn was great and easy to work with and I love the overall effect.  Unfortunately part way through the project my work came of the needles in my bag and i had to roll the ball back up and redo a good portion of it which was an incredibly frustrating experience as the yarn twisted around itself making it very difficult to work with.

As it was a Mothers Day gift for my mother-in-law, it had to be finished.  The end result is great, I can't wait to work with again.

Noro Bucket Bag

Noro Bucket Bag

So, I have some fabulous Noro yarn that I have had for way to long.  It's sits in my craft room and each time I think about using it I then thing that the project might not be special enough for my wonderful Noro yarn.  I have no idea why I think this way, clearly it's value and worth and been mixed up in my mind somehow!


I finally decided that I would use it on a bucket bag.  I thought it would be great to work with.  I have looked at this yarn many times and I was now very excited that I had decided what i would do with it.  I wasn't five minutes into the knitting process when I became very disappointed.  The yarn was tough and almost bugged my fingers with its harsh texture.  I was already thinking that this project might not be a good idea.


Well, being as determined as I am I did finish the project.  Actually  it  has turned out wonderfully.  I am really surprised with the end result.  It felted up so soft that it almost feels like a baby blanket.   It's amazing what a little hot water can do.

Noro Bucket Bag

CanCan Brooch

Black/Grey CanCan Brooch

After the CanCan Scarf I had just a small amount of yarn left.  

I thought this would be a great way to use it and it looks great with my black pashmena!

Felted Shoulder bag

I was up in my craft room the other day thinking I would like to try out a new pattern, this is generally a great idea as it can turn out well but, I have also had the experience where you spend all the time working on it and it doesn't work out and then at that point you also don't have the yarn to try again as the felting process has damaged it.  So... i was wondering what i would try that would have the least amount of room for error. This is also the time in the process when I wish I was taught how to properly read patterns.

Anyways.... I did go ahead and attempt to create my own pattern, and this happened to be one of those times that it turned out great.  Exactly what I was going for.

Now I will bring it to the upcoming craft fair to see how the new style goes over.

Grey felted shoulder bag

Grey felted shoulder bag with flower

Red Felted Bucket Bag

 

So as you all know I love making bags!!

This one was made on a request order.  I really like the way it turned out the felting process seems to have created an extra texture in it that makes it very unique.  I might not want to give this one up!!