kitty: habu inspired market bag

item: Habu Inspired Market Bag pattern: by me yarn: Maggi Knits Maggi's Linen content: 524.0 yards Linen/Cotton (probably 100yds extra) price: $4.00 time: a week

I have really been infatuated with the Habu bags for a while. The problem with buying a kit was the great fear that there wouldn't be enough yarn for the length of bag that I wanted and there was something about them that I didn't like. I mainly wasn't sure about the dimensions of there designs. The other concern was to have a bag that while empty would lie flat since I didn't want any added bulk in the bag since the ideal length for me was around my hips. I took a lot of the information that I got from the Maggi Jackson Class last year about building a stable Linen item. I wanted a bag that would have minimum stretch and then blocked hard so it would maintain its shape. The photo above was taken after stuffing it full of yarn above. It returned pretty much to a flat state. The bag has a play of two textures, which were used to break up the seed stitch for the entire bag. The center panel is a broken basket weave that has a definitive straight knit row for stability as well.

I am really excited about how it turned out. The straps are long enough to wrap comfortably around the body and to also have added slack if I ever need to reinforce the bottom and still have a strap to carry.

kitty: habu inspired market bag on the blocking board

The Habu inspired market bag is on the blocking board finally. I just have to block out the straps at some point today. Since it extended way beyond the actual boards size. The final size of the bag looks like it will be right at 14* 11inches which is a little smaller than I had hoped but the width that I was going for.

MG came up on Sunday so she was sweet enough to take the photos while I blocked. It was definitely a finish up FO and learning afternoon. She wound off the yarn I just finished spinning Saturday night while I was desperately trying to stay awake. (Nothing like spinning probably 150 yards and plying over 500 yards in a night) It was really amazing seeing her wind it off as a human kniddy knoddy. I was really amazed at the technique. We had also been talking a lot about short rows and decreases/increases on aim through the months, but it just never seems like we have enough time to knit it while she is here. Since M was fast asleep on the couch while we were watching the World Cup of Women's Football she went through the techniques that she had been talking about. I was really amazed to finally see them in person. I really hope she will take some photos and share soon. I feel like my knitting skills really grew yesterday. Thanks MG.

Just had to take a photos of my other knitbuddies last night while I was working on my Habu sweater.