Livin' Larger
Yes Kim, I got a pedi last night and it was grand as it has been too long. (No iris were hurt for this photo, the rain knocked them over last week.)
Yesterday a bit of Kismet happened. Vicki saw my newly dyed blue yarn and named it Blue-tiful (Is that not perfect?) and Cassie published a new sock pattern. I think the newly dyed, and newly named, yarn was meant to be knit into Loksins!, don't you?
A few months ago, if you'd asked, I might have said that there just wasn't much in crochet patterns to entice me away from knitting. That was before I saw the Larger Than Life Bag on Lynne’s blog and thought it would be very fun to be 'vintage' (as the younger folks call what I call retro. How'd I get to be retro OR vintage, anyway. Hurmph.) I jumped in with both feet and enjoyed wielding a hook again. It was amazing how quickly this project came together, and ultimately, the end product. The 'process' just wasn't knitting and, therefore, not as much fun.
The idea of pulling out the sewing machine and doing something I hadn't done in a long, long time felt daunting at first.
This little Bernina came into my life around 1972-3 and by todays standards that would make it vintage, right? It made most of my clothes (with my help) for several years and has stood me in good stead. A few years ago I had it refurbished and, once again, works like new. It's a basic machine with few extras, but it does a good job...a great job, in fact. Sadly, it now resides in the closet most of the time.
After pulling her out into the light of day and spending Saturday morning at her side, I think there maybe more sewing in our near future. It wasn't as fun as a barrel of monkeys, but I would love to have a couple of skirts for warmer weather and no longer feel adverse to the idea of sewing them myself. But, back to the bag...
The fabric on the outside is the same shade of brown as the edges of the bag. The fabric inside is a soft coral pink stripe that echoes the colors in the squares. There is no zipper (I never use them unless I'm flying) and no pockets (unlike Vicki I always need a purse), so it went together simply, quickly (sorta) and fairly easily. The handles were a stroke of genius are from a decided bit of laziness. While wandering (in awe) through the bigbox fabric store, I happened by the drapery isle and the drapery tiebacks caught my eye. Wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't they make good handles for the bag? Since they were returnable (and inexpensive) I took them home to try, and YES, they worked! The floppy handles in the magazine just didn't do it for me and I was happy to find this solution.
This Larger Than Life Bag holds a lot of yarn, so it is well named, too. Count me happy!
Pattern: Larger Than Life Bag from Interweave Crochet Spring 2007
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport - multiple colors
Time to Knit Crochet: April 15 - May 22, 07
Bag looks great! Lovely lining, it's perfect! Ohh blue-tiful!! How perfect!
Posted by: michelle | May 31, 2007 at 04:05 AM
Sometimes the older sewing machines are actually the best - vintage for sewing machines sometimes works in the same way it does for wine.
Can't wait to see someone else's Loksins socks. Hope you enjoy the pattern.
Posted by: Cassie | May 31, 2007 at 04:08 AM
This bag is really getting around! I really like your handles. I can never seem to find bag handles that I like. Seems I need to look in other types of stores. ;)
Posted by: Jen | May 31, 2007 at 04:10 AM
Yet another talent unveiled:) It's a really cute bag. Tempts me to start crocheting!
Posted by: Annie | May 31, 2007 at 04:25 AM
The handles were definitely a stroke of genius! The bag is wonderful but now it will be all knitting and spinning, all the time. Right?
Posted by: Carole | May 31, 2007 at 04:54 AM
Your bag is just faboo! Love the lining, and the handles are so very clever.
Posted by: Vera | May 31, 2007 at 05:14 AM
Wonderful bag! Love the handles and the lining matches well. Need to get crackin' on my own now cause I want to use it!!
Posted by: Rebecca | May 31, 2007 at 05:30 AM
That bag looks great. You guys have me wanting one!
Those "vintage" Berninas are the best machines. My mom has a Bernina that she got in about 1970 and that machine rocks. I really want it, but I think my sister has it at her house which means no matter what happens (and she doesn't sew a stitch) that machine won't see the light of day until she decides to put it on ebay, where they really sell. You are lucky to have it.
Posted by: Teresa C | May 31, 2007 at 05:31 AM
I have the same machine, bought around the same time. Vintage? OMG, we are vintage? I think my Grandmother once expressed this feeling to me, so long ago. Oh my. I love my Bernina, used to make all my clothes, and haven't used it hardly at all for years now.
I also am enchanted with that bag. (v again, right?)
Our mothers would never have had a pedi to go with their tevas. Not so vintage.
Posted by: Judy | May 31, 2007 at 05:58 AM
Lovely bag! I'm planning on sewing a few skirts this summer, too. I love Amy Butler's Barcelona pattern.
Posted by: Beverly | May 31, 2007 at 06:08 AM
I LOVE it!!! Once I finish up the small projects I have kicking around, I am going to start this bag........yours is one of the best yet!
Hmmmmm............I have an old Kenmore machine from that same retro/vintage era......mine came to me in 1979 and still works great...LOL
Posted by: Kim | May 31, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Your bag looks so great! I love the lining.
Posted by: Lauren | May 31, 2007 at 06:23 AM
I don't even know the vintage of my Husqvarna sewing machine, but it is as solid as they come and I love it. Sadly, it doesn't get used much, either.
I'm so excited to go shopping for drapery and upholstery trims -- I can't believe how much I love your tie-back handles and I hope I can find a similar solution for my bag (it's one of the reasons I'm stymied). It's a very fun bag for summer, Margene. Congrats on the finish.
Now I've got feelings for that Blue-tiful yarn... it'll be fun to see them become Blue-tiful Loksins.
; )
Posted by: Vicki | May 31, 2007 at 06:26 AM
The handles! now that is a great idea. I don't like the ones in the magazine either. A trip to the store is in place.
Posted by: Laritza | May 31, 2007 at 06:43 AM
It is just beautiful. I'm ready to line mine and can't wait now that I have all the good examples and inspirations to follow!
Posted by: Deb | May 31, 2007 at 06:52 AM
The handles grabbed my attention immediately. Great choice! Love it!
Posted by: Wool Winder | May 31, 2007 at 06:55 AM
I love how that bag came together. But you still can't lure me back to granny squares. I'm having some vintage childhood flashbacks.
You made me want to run outside and sink my feet in the grass before I head to work. :)
Posted by: Stacey | May 31, 2007 at 06:57 AM
Cute toes! A pedi's on my pre-vacation checklist. :) The bag turned out fabulously!
Posted by: Chris | May 31, 2007 at 07:05 AM
LOVE IT!
Posted by: Cara | May 31, 2007 at 07:09 AM
Wonderful! And what a great inspiration to use the tie-backs for the handles - it's just perfect.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 31, 2007 at 07:10 AM
Oh, darn it, I love it. I say darn it, because it might have to go on my rather long list of to-do's. I haven't crocheted anything in a while.
There is a downside of blogging - I find way more projects that I want to do than I think I could ever do in five lifetimes. Of course, that could be an upside, too :-)
Posted by: Alison | May 31, 2007 at 07:35 AM
It looks so good! Love the lining and the idea for the handles! Mine is about 2/3 done, but is sitting on the backburner while I finish an unexpected baby sweater, but I can't wait to get back to it and finish it!
Did picking colors for the squares cause you any anxiety? Probably not--you're so good at stuff like that.
Posted by: Kim | May 31, 2007 at 07:40 AM
Your bag turned out wonderful, and I doubt you are as 'retro' in your thinking:) The drapery tiebacks will make much stronger handles than the crocheted ones in the pattern; I sewed up a few little totes last summer using placemats for the bodies and drapery ties for the handles. Cheating? Maybe, but I agree, sewing just isn't as much fun as knitting.
Posted by: Birdsong | May 31, 2007 at 07:46 AM
I was forced to buy Interweave Crochet because of you and your posts about this bag. And now I'm going to be forced to try to make it because it just SO. DARN. CUTE!
Thanks for the push to the other side...
Posted by: Teresa | May 31, 2007 at 07:51 AM
The bag is really awesome. And I love the handles!
Posted by: Karen | May 31, 2007 at 07:57 AM
I love that bag. That said, i think i've been experiencing too many flashbacks to the early '70s, when my mother made me skirts and vests out of granny squares, and of course i had to wear them. As such, i don't know if i can muster up the enthusiasm to whip out the old crochet hook. I do love yours, though: it's so pretty!
Posted by: regina | May 31, 2007 at 08:05 AM
That is such a cute bag. The handles are fabulous. You did such a great job putting it all together.
Posted by: Sarah | May 31, 2007 at 08:08 AM
wow. WOW! I LOVE the bag. LOVE.IT. The handles are genius. (I didn't like the idea of the handle in the pattern, either.)
And let me tell you, after years and years with a reliable (and vintage!) White ZigZag (which is STILL an amazing - if boring - workhorse!), I bought my Bernina 3 years ago. I will NEVER go back (tho' I'll use the White forever!).
And your pedicure is terrific - I think that color is on my fingers... lolol!
(((hugs)))
Posted by: knitnana | May 31, 2007 at 08:10 AM
What pretty toes!! And what a darlling bag. Good work! I am always so daunted by linings, so I am especially impressed by how nicely you did it.
Posted by: Roxie | May 31, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Great bag and stroke of genius with the handles!
Posted by: Manise | May 31, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Pedi fever is in the air. I have an appointment tomorrow. The handle idea is excellent. How did you attach them?
Posted by: Sharon | May 31, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Your bag turned out gorgeous!
Posted by: Heather | May 31, 2007 at 08:32 AM
I love the lining fabric you chose! It complements the rest of the bag beautifully. And I have to giggle about the handles--I think I have those very same tie-backs on the drapes in my living room! ;-) Same color, even.
Are the two sides of the bag identical?
Posted by: Beth S. | May 31, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Great job on the bag; it's gorgeous!
Posted by: Julie | May 31, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Its beautiful! Turned out just perfect.
Posted by: Meadow | May 31, 2007 at 08:48 AM
I think your blue-tiful socks will looks beautiful knit up in Loksins! And that bag is great! It will no doubt come in very handy during your summer fiber festival visits!
Posted by: nova | May 31, 2007 at 08:50 AM
My Bernina is getting to be vintage too....
Posted by: claudia | May 31, 2007 at 08:58 AM
Your bag looks fantastic, I love your lining and handles. I look forward to seeing more sewing from you too.
Posted by: yvette | May 31, 2007 at 09:03 AM
I love that bag ... it's so cool it makes me want to learn how to crochet just so I can have one, too.
Posted by: Ruth | May 31, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Nice pedicure and beautiful bag :)
Posted by: isela | May 31, 2007 at 09:44 AM
I have to admit it, the bag looks great even if I am allergic to crochet. Nice piggies, too.
Posted by: Tan | May 31, 2007 at 09:53 AM
The handles are PERFECT! Great idea! The lining looks nice too.
Posted by: elizabeth | May 31, 2007 at 10:07 AM
You did an amazing job on the bag! I love the lining and the handles.
Posted by: Kelly | May 31, 2007 at 10:07 AM
I love ho wyour bag came out and the handle idea was just ingenious.
Posted by: Chante | May 31, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Great bag! Great choice for handles.
I'm in an almost identical boat on the sewing front. I'm heartened to hear that there's a possibility that I haven't forgotten everything in the 20 years since I've seriously sewn.
Posted by: Brenda | May 31, 2007 at 10:20 AM
That is a fun bag and has me tempted to expend my very slight crochet skills... You did a great finishing job!
Posted by: Kristi in CO | May 31, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Stroke of genius indeed! Great bag (I didn't need another wannamake project to think about right now, though!!)
Posted by: Sulafaye | May 31, 2007 at 10:49 AM
I'm in love with your bag. The fabric is perfect and the handles are great. I need to get working on mine!
Posted by: Shannon | May 31, 2007 at 11:29 AM
It's very very cute, even though it *is* =shudder= crochet. ;)
Posted by: Romi | May 31, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Ohh, that bag is perfect. Love the fabric and the handles too.
Posted by: Wanda | May 31, 2007 at 12:16 PM