Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Kauni Messenger Bag
My newest pattern, the Kauni Messenger Bag, is a departure from the usual kinds of designs I do:
1. It is a bag, and
2. It is felted.
Yes, this is my first venture into designing a bag and I love it. So much so that you can expect to see more bag designs in the future.
The bag is a perfect project on so many levels. It is portable, easily finished so that it doesn't have to languish in your UFO basket. Best of all, it serves as a template for all kinds of creative expression.
Here I used Kauni Effekt yarn, coloourway W-EH "Earth and Sky".
To achieve the density of yarn I wanted, essentially a chunky weight yarn, I tripled the yarn by using a fascinating technique called the Navajo Triple-Ply Technique. It allows you to stay within the colour sequence of the colourway. As a result, the colours do not become mixed up as would otherwise happen if you were to triple the yarn in the usual way.
The Navajo Triple-Ply Technique is described in detail in the pattern with images and written instructions. Learning this technique alone would be worth the price of the pattern. Now you'll be able to convert any fingering weight yarn into a chunky. This is particularly useful for a handpainted yarn in keeping the colourway properly distributed.
The bag is worked with 7.0 mm. (US 10 3/4) needles in three separate pieces that are then sewn together and felted in the washing machine. Again all the assembly and felting instructions are all part of the pattern.
Here you can see the bag as it is being sewn together and before it is felted.
Just in time for fall--for school, college, work or for just everyday--the Kauni Messenger Bag is a practical and, at the same time, distinguished-looking accessory.
Fun to make. Fun to use.
