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June 14, 2005

The crochet goes on

The sling bag is starting to look like a bag!

slingbag_progress01.jpg

Although its not going to be cylindrical. The shape should be something like this:

slingbag_progress02.jpg

According to my calculations, there are only 5 more rounds until the split for the handles. hmmmm. How could this be enough? Cotton Glace is a bit skinnier than the recommended Cashcotton, so I think I'll do some extra rounds just to be sure. Of course, that could cause a serious yarn shortage, but this is a chance every knitter must take.

You know what? Crochet is just like knitting. except the stitches aren't held on a needle until the end. Each stitch can stand on its own right away.

Also, unlike knitting, crochet looks like this:

slingbag_detail.jpg

The increases are the same as knitting though! It starts in the middle with a neat little circle thing, then increases are done in rounds, first increasing every stitch, then every other stitch, then every 3rd stitch.. (you get where this is going, right?) Eventually, the increases stop and you start working in plain rounds.

Its a different sort of look. Its not a look that makes me want to make shirts out of it, but for a bag - perfect.

Comments (21)

Love the color, it's looking really cute, actually it's looking like something my sister made.

Gorgeous! I just love the colour. I know what you mean about not for shirts...but very cool for a bag. What I really like is that it is made out of nice yarn. My MIL crochets with acrylic, and it just looks cheap...crocheting with quality yarn looks so much better!

Fabulous. I'm with you though, not sure 5 more rounds will give you the size bag you want. Best to play it by ear - just like w/ knitting, you have to follow your instincts.

Dani:

Yeah, haven't gotten to that stuff yet, but its beautiful! Cotton Glace seems perfect for crochet...

Kevin:

Well, looking at what you have done and considering 5 more rounds to go, it might be close to where it should be. How's the bag look with weight in it? I'd bet it would look more like the picture does, since the weight will pull the "bottom" into more of a conical shape. (If you try adding weight, be careful not to lose the stitches and accidentally frog your piece. I speak from experience.)... As it is, it looks great! Very nice job on the project.

Looks fantastic! I'm buying the book tonight. The swirly shawl in there is great too.

kellyt:

I'm amazed that you're already doing this bag after just learning how to crochet. I too have seen some nice designs in some of the Rowan books, only to turn away from them after learning they were crocheted. On another note, I noticed that you wind your balls of yarn by hand on some sort of wooden contraption (not a winder or swift). Can you tell me what it's called? Thanks!

I'm impressed! Great job with the bag - I can't believe that you just learned to crochet. I, like so many others, only crochet when I really, really have to. Which is only on the edges of my knit items. Can't wait to see it finished!

erin:

Such a pretty green, you're doing a good job on the crochet.

that looks pretty good so far, diana! way to go!

Hey now, that's pretty amazing progress for just starting to crochet. Are you sure you haven't been treading on the dark side longer, in secret? :) Your bag looks great, tres chic!

Crocheting wonder! Great job!

Nice nice nice ... beautiful! I don't think I'd like wearing something crocheted either ... but for bags and afghans and hats, they are good.

Gina:

I'm loving that bag. I've been wanting to learn to crochet for months and haven't quite got to it yet, but this is making me want to learn even more.

Fun bag! I love teaching myself techniques too. Nothin' better. I'll bet there's nothing you can't teach yourself. ;-)

I love this.

Joelene:

Maybe i sould try to leave a comment this time:)

I love that bag, I have been wanting to make something like that. But I think my hand might have forgotten how to crochet, I hae not tryed since I was a kid.

How are you liking the Rowan Cotton, I hated knitting with it?

Joelene:

I love that bag, I have been wanting to make something like that. But I think my hand might have forgotten how to crochet, I hae not tryed since I was a kid.

How are you liking the Rowan Cotton, I hated knitting with it?

This looks awesome so far! Crochet is fascinating. I have no idea how it gets to look the way it looks, but still, fascinating.

Gorgeous bag! I can't believe you've made something so beautiful after just learning to crochet. Mine would have been a disaster. I want to learn crochet, and was inspired by a Lilly Pulitzer top that I want to try and replicate. Can't wait to see your finished bag!

Tara:

Wow, you're doing a great job! Are you sure you've never done this before???

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