The prize for the "Contest of Seasons" is an appliqued knitting tote made from a felted sweater. The tote will be lined with green fabric and closed with a magnetic snap. Inside the tote will be the two (different) skeins of Noro Kureyon you see here and a few other goodies. Many people are making Lizard Ridge, so I thought this yarn would come in handy for that or for a felting project or a scarf. The contest ends on Wednesday, September 27, so be sure to submit your entry if you haven't already!
For those of you that may want to make a tote from a felted sweater, I'll leave the following info.
1) I used the instructions from Alter Knits by Leigh Radford. Instructions can also be found here.
2) If you use a rotary cutter, make sure it is very sharp. Mine was dull and wouldn't even cut through one layer. I used scissors instead.
3) Cut carefully. I found little spots where I had cut a little too far into the tote.
4) Instructions for lining a bag and installing a magentic snap can be found at HelloKnitty.
5) It was lots of fun appliquing the flower and leaves onto the bag. I used yarn for all of the applique and embroidery. I recommend using a sharp needle with a large eye.
6) I'm not totally wild about the raw edges left from cutting the sweater. When I make my next tote, I may do something different with the handles and sew the raw edge and lining together.
What a great tote! And its from a felted sweater? Where have I been??? That is a great idea!!!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | September 24, 2006 at 04:52 PM
What a cute bag! I love the flower. What a great use for an old sweater.
Posted by: Gina | September 25, 2006 at 02:45 AM
So cute, and a great way to recycle! I love the applique. It looks like it will make a great knitting bag for someone!
Posted by: Rachel | September 25, 2006 at 05:16 AM
Cute, cute, cute! The end date is my birthday, so I thoguth I better enter!!!
Fall was my favorite season while I was growing up. I liked the start of school, and most of my family's birthdays are in September. There was halloween, and apple cider and donuts at the fire station. Jumping in leaves. All that fun stuff!
My cousin was killed by a drunk driver on October 1st when I was in college. That sort of ruined fall for me and summer became my favorite season.
Now, 15 years later, fall has lost that specter, and I really enjoy it again. I like that the weather cools off (THANK GOD!) and I just like the idea of transformation. Fall is a season of transformation, going from the highs of summer to the grayness of winter. It is a season to start thinking about warm sweaters, and movie or game nights with the kids. And I am looking forward to seeing the leaves change here!!!!
Posted by: patti | September 25, 2006 at 08:23 AM
I have that book too Beth, thought those totes were TOO cool! THis one looks beautiful, love the color. Great prize, glad Im entered.
Huggs, G
Posted by: Geraldine | September 25, 2006 at 09:13 AM
What a great tote! And I just noticed your new banner--I love it!
Posted by: katie | September 25, 2006 at 10:47 AM