Rose Garden B4 bag
For the Tote Exchange III, I'm going to make the B4 in a rose garden theme. Here is the yarn I'll be using.
I'm also tempted to try it in SWTC Karaoke in Wild Cherry, since my downstream pal likes red. Maybe I'll make one for me and one for her.
B4 Basket Felted
Here is the finished basket. It felted down quite a bit, into a nice firm fabric, with some texture. It seemed to have shrunk a lot more top to bottom than most of my other B4s...the rows seem kind of squashed together and the beads are almost invisible. If I do another with this yarn (Paton's SWS) I will add a couple more rows of stockinette before and after the bump rows so that the bobbles and beads have a little bit of breathing room! Here is the basket before it was felted
and after.
See what I mean about the beads not showing up? Maybe I should have done all 3 rows instead of eliminating one row. Oh well, this was an experiment, so now I know!
Before felting, it measured 12" wide by 9" top to bottom (including the bottom portion, as it was laying flat in the first picture)
After felting, it is about 8" wide, and about 4" tall (or about 5" if I flatten it and measure with the bottom piece like in the first picture)
B4 Basket in the works
I am in the middle of doing a modified B4 Bag, and making it into an oval basket instead. I am using Paton's new yarn called SWS, which is a wool/soy silk blend. Similar to the Karaoke yarn that I used when I first designed the pattern, but much softer to knit with. From what I've read, it felts more densely than the Karaoke. We'll see. I'm knitting it with one strand on size 10.5 as suggested in the pattern if using one strand. I love this yarn! I made the bead section with only 2 rows of beads rather than 3. I am eliminating the button section. So it will be bobble/bead/bobble. I am still debating the top edge. I think I will put small handles at the ends of the oval. Here's what it looks like so far, with the second set of bobbles ready to be knit....
I just ordered the pattern!
can't wait to make this bag! it's just so damn cute! wish me luck, any opinions on the difficulty of making it? do any yarns felt better for this project than another?
happy knitting everyone
Trude
Craftybernie's B4 Bag wins prize at local show...
I entered the B4 bag that I made a few weeks ago into the Arts & Crafts section of the local Agricultural Show. And I won First Prize in the Felting category!
I really love this bag. I love that every B4 bag made is individual. I love the techniques I learned while making this bag. It's a really great bag. No doubt I will be making another one soon.
Best wishes...Bernie
My finished Ladybug B4Bag...
***edited to add. I used 2 strands of Lion Brand Wool and size 13 circulars for this bag. Sorry I forgot. I also let it felt this way (a little more narrow and taller than others) because MIL wanted her bag that way.
My B4 Bag...
I am making this bag for my MIL who is totally into ladybugs. I did not attach the beads before felting because I was nervous as they are glass. I did want to share the before felting pictures though.
My 3.5 y/o daughter "Nan" wearing the bag before I sewed up the bottom of added straps. She thought it was hilarious!
For the Tote Exchange III, I'm going to make the B4 in a rose garden theme. Here is the yarn I'll be using.
