Babette update and new bag

Posted on May 17, 2010 by knittingpatterns4you | 4 Comments

This picture is already outdated as I'm currently almost done with section 8 of Babette, but here's how it looked after joining section 7. I'm loving it more and more as it comes together! This weekend I went out and bought a second skein of the four "main" colors (fuchsia, chocolate, off-white, and light gray) and I believe that I'll have enough to finish the whole blanket with just those second skeins. Which would mean only 15 skeins total for this project! Even with paying Purl's price of $7.50 per skein that's a really good deal for a whole blanket's worth. If you compare that to knitting the original out of Koigu, it's about 50% cheaper! And you end up with a much larger blanket too since the gauge is much bigger.

I'm working on a post (or possibly 3 posts) explaining all the modifications I've done to Babette, including how to work it up in way fewer colors, how to crochet the squares like I did (meaning with the rounds starting at a corner instead of the middle of one side), and joining as you go with crochet. I'm thinking of calling the posts "Optimizing the Babette Blanket Pattern" . . . but I'm worried that it sounds too business-speak for the needlecraft world?

On another note, check out my new bag!

This bag isn't really knitting-related, but it would be a good knitting bag (no zipper or Velcro to ruin your yarn!) so I wanted to share it with all of you. It just arrived last week and I'm already totally in love with it. Most people who know me IRL know I have a weakness of purses and bags, especially LARGE ones. I've been trying to downsize lately because I keep finding myself carrying around more stuff than I'm willing to admit, but when I saw this big, almost briefcase-like bag at Pansy Maiden, I had to have it. Their bags are completely handmade and the workmanship is impeccable. The amount of thought that went into the design is abundantly evident as well. Just look at all the pockets:

(clearly, I didn't clean up the contents to take this shot)

There are two pockets on each side, plus a key hook (SO useful!), plus the big pouch on the front (holding my umbrella in the first picture). The pockets are super deep and a nice width so plenty of stuff fits in there. As an iPhone person I often have problems with the inside pockets of bags, which are sizes for traditional cell phones and therefore don't fit an iPhone, but this bag doesn't have that problem at all!

My favorite pocket on the bag is probably this one though:

Just a simple zip pocket on the back of the bag, but it's a pocket that almost never exists on any bag, regardless of how big. I use this pocket for the important papers I'm always carrying around. I love a good pocket!

Oh, and you see the d-ring on the bag? It came with a long strap so the bag can be carried like a messenger bag instead of a shoulder bag! It's definitely a nice extra touch. The strap, like the rest of the bag, is incredibly well constructed. I literally marvel at the design, workmanship, and finish on this bag. I'm proud to be carrying it around with me on a daily basis and I hope more people buy from this vendor so we can keep her making beautiful bags for years to come.

Posted in crochet


4 Responses

Laura
Laura

May 18, 2010

Ivete, I’m so happy your are so happy with your new Weekender! Thank you so much for featuring your bag on your blog! xoxoxo—Laura

Jocelyn
Jocelyn

May 18, 2010

Your Babette looks beautiful. The color scheme is so unique- I love it. I’ve been working on mine the past week also and have been thinking about making another one with thicker yarn! Haha. I agree with your points exactly, bigger blanket for less money.

Tweets that mention Babette update and new bag — Chiagu -- Topsy.com
Tweets that mention Babette update and new bag — Chiagu -- Topsy.com

May 17, 2010

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ivete Tecedor. Ivete Tecedor said: New blog post: Babette update and new bag http://www.chiagu.com/knotology/2010/05/babette-update-and-new-bag/ […]

Julie
Julie

May 18, 2010

The blanket is looking amazing, and how cute is your doggie?!

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