Here's my "Booger" Bag before felting:
And after felting:
Project specs:
Pattern: Booga Bag
Yarn used: Nashua Handknits Wooly Stripes (colorway: Key West)
Needles: US size 10 1/2, 29" circular
Finished (felted and blocked) dimensions: 7in wide x 7.5 in high x 4.5 in deep
I am really happy with the way my first bag turned out. I still think the colors are hideous, but in a good way. In an "E.T. he's so ugly he's cute" kind of way. I must admit, I'm completely amazed, intrigued and utterly fascinated at the entire felting process.
I was so enamored with the entire knitting/felting process while making this bag that I made another one. In about three days. :) Imagine this one right side up with the handles attached (it's blocking and drying right now). One thing I did different with this bag from the first one is that I hand felted it. Instead of throwing it into a hot wash cycle in the washer, I agitated it in the kitchen sink with water as hot as I could stand it. I believe I prefer the hand felting method better. I had more control over how much it felted and I think I got a more uniform felt out of it. The machine felted one had really felted spots and some felted but not so much as the really felted spots. And I love love love the springy colors of this one too. One last note to self about creating another Booga in the future: KNIT THE I-CORD HANDLES FIRST!!! Good grief, by the time I got done with the bag and realized I had six FEET of i-cord handle to knit, I thought I was going to induce vomitation by swallowing my own knitting needle. I hate i-cord. Oh, it turns out nice, and all that...but I just don't like making it. It's boring.
The other change to the second bag was I knitted it a touch bigger than the first one. I cast on a few more stitches than it called for to make the bottom of the bag, and I knitted several more inches onto the length (it turned out to be 9 in high when felted).
Specs: Same Booga Pattern, same brand of yarn (colorway Pastels), same needle.
I'll admit, I've become addicted to this pattern and can't wait to make some more!!! I'm picturing all the poor naked sheep wandering around out there that will be feeding my upcoming wool stash requirements!
***On a totally unrelated note, does anyone have or know of a really good daily devotional book or Bible study book for new Christians? I'm reading through the Bible (I've made it to the middle of Deuteronomy so far) and I have several books (Stormie Omartian's Power of a Praying series) that I have bought to read and learn from along my journey, but I thought I would check with my friends and see what, if any, devotional and/or Bible study books you have tried out and liked (or not liked for that matter...any advice is great!). Thanks in advance!!!
That's so nice!! Can't help on the book though...
ReplyDeleteFran
I love the bag! It's really cute!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag :)
ReplyDeleteI just worked through a book called "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I really liked it. I have several more, that when I get a chance to get them, will list for you!
The bags are lovely! I so wish I could do that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for the devotionals... it really depends on what you are looking for. There are a lot of them out there. There was a series that I really liked a couple of years ago... each book was based on a worship song (I can only imagine, Like a River, etc). Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment is good for short & sweet devos. There are also some great classic devotionals too... Steam in the Desert, My Utmost for His Highest. If you are going with My Utmost, make sure you get a newer edition where the language has been updated.
Okay, thought of one more, which I really enjoyed, it's a 12 week series called "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. It's labeled as "a woman's guide to finding contentment", I will say it is one of my fav's!
ReplyDeleteThe bag turned out great! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so intrigued by knitters...I just don't think it's something I could do.
I don't have a favorite devotional book per say, but I love my Women's Devotional Bible.
Oh my gosh!!! That's awesome! You're doing great! I'm amazed!
ReplyDeleteThe bags are great!!!
ReplyDeleteI second Calm My Anxious Heart for a recommendation.
For nice devotional books, I really like the two that Joni Eareckson Tada wrote: Diamonds in the Dust and More Precious than Silver. They are short daily reads, but Joni always encourages and inspires me in her short writings.
For Bible studies, there are just so many styles that I wouldn't even begin to know how to direct you on that. :) I personally have trouble finishing Bible study books unless I'm doing them with a group.
How pretty! I wish I was talented enough to make something so pretty.
ReplyDelete*ICLW
It turned out so cute! Nice work!!
ReplyDeleteI really, really love devotionals/Bible studies by Elizabeth George. Some of my favorites have been: A Woman After God's Own Heart, The Remarkable Women of the Bible, and Finding God's Path Through Your Trials. She has lots of great ones to choose from!
I also very much enjoyed Lessons I Learned in the Dark by Jennifer Rothschild.
Oh, and this one isn't specific to women, but a very good book on the basics of the Christian faith is What Every Christian Ought to Know by Adrian Rogers.
Hope this helps!
I think Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard should be required reading for every Christian, new or old. Not really a devotional, but you can read it in little chunks along with your Bible reading. Happy ICLW!
ReplyDeleteI love your bags! Happy ICLW
ReplyDeleteI love those Key West colors (oh, for it to warm up around here!). I read "Sacred Space" each night, I believe there's an online version in addition to the book. It's written by the Irish Jesuits and always help me wind down, while keeping perspective. Happy ICLW!
ReplyDeleteIn my dreams, I imagine myself crafty. I've tried to teach myself knitting, but crochet (poorly) and cross-stitch (quite nicely!) instead. So I have a great appreciation for those who can knit, and I have several friends who fell in love with felting when they first discovered it.
ReplyDeleteVery nice piece of work!