firefly tote prototype

This weekend I had a hankering to sew. And I wanted to sew a very particular thing - a project bag pattern I bought in March while enjoying the Bay Area Yarn Crawl. I had in mind that I would make this for a friend of mine, and if it didn't turn out I would keep it for myself because we share a love of the same colors and these fabrics are awesome together! (spoiler: it turned out great.)

I had such a fun time auditioning different fabric combinations and settled on the set above. The combination of earthy blues and greens will appeal to my friend, I think, and the gray canvas is a very sturdy option for the bag's main panels. 

The pattern is the Firefly Tote by Noodlehead Designs, and I've had it sitting around, as I said, since March. In a recent (habitual) YouTube binge, I found a video tutorial in three parts where the designer steps through the construction for a sew along she put together. This was a great find, because I was feeling intimidated by the pattern instructions which looked much more complex to me than it actually ended up being. I've said it before - I am a very visual learner. The videos really lowered the activation barrier for me to jump right in and get started. In a couple hours on Saturday night, I got all of the pieces cut and interfaced and the outside pieces assembled. Sunday morning I woke up enthusiastic to finish it up and it took just another couple of hours before breakfast. 

        

I think it turned out great. I really love the color combination, and the canvas was pretty bulky in a couple of seams but overall a great base to work with. For the handles instead of cotton webbing or leather as recommended, I used quilt batting and fabric strips. Webbing or leather would elevate the look a bit more, but I did like the option to add the lining print and colors to the outside. I am also very pleased that I had all of the materials in my stash. I think this is a really classy gift to give and all it cost me was time! (that's crafting math for you...) More of these in my future, for sure. 

mossy sweater reclaimed

I wandered off to work on some other projects, but I have also been making steady progress on this sweater for my dad. After having to frog back nearly the whole thing, the body re-knit pretty quickly and I have worked my way up the back yoke and armhole shaping all the way to the neckline. 

I think it's looking pretty weird at this point. I've taken measurements and all looks proportional and okay, but this is definitely a faith in knitting stage right now. Next up is the front, and then I have two sleeves to tackle. Onward!

Gnolan, finished

Well. This guy's a charmer. I have to say I am very pleased with how he turned out! The colors mom and I picked are bright and whimsical, and those little arms just make me smile. The slightly damp post-rain garden atmosphere felt just like home to him. I could see him puttering around deadheading flowers and getting seeds in the ground for the winter season. He's a fan of the pansies. 

And the mushroom!!! I was watching a bunch of seasonal "small things to knit" videos on YouTube last night and I just had to try out this little mushroom. Together they make SUCH a cute pair. I can't even believe how great they look together. Pretty soon it will be time to box him up and send him off to his new home. Until then I'm going to enjoy him in my kitchen. 

 

mom's gnome in progress

I started this guy in the bright days of August but set it aside until this week. I had just about half of the hat started and left it at the fussiest part. After wrangling an octopus of needles and yarn in ever smaller rounds, the hat was done and topped off with that cute little curlicue. 

The body went pretty quickly after that. There's nothing quite like stripes to keep me going! It's like Pringles. Or popcorn. Just one more.... I am so thankful I attended that workshop back in February where Sara went through the particulars of finishing up all the little details. I learn so much visually that having it done and discussed in person has made it all really stick with me. This is a fun picture of me trying to not drop any of the weighted stuffing as I'm closing up the bottom. 

 

He looks kind of funny without a face! I finished that up this evening, too. The arms have also been made and attached, I'm just hoping for better light tomorrow to take some great photos out in the garden. For now I leave you with a colorful bowling pin.