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Examples of terminology include canvas, glass, bronze, marble, wood, poplar, charcoal, vernis Martin, laid paper, paint, egg tempera, ink, iron gall ink, sound, and monitor.

What? Why?

Recipient: me!
Completed: April, 2007
Mission Falls / 1824 Wool
(Merino superwash wool)
Berroco / Suede (100% nylon)
Needles: US 9

I’d first noticed this pattern in a knitting magazine advertisement. I was attracted to the seemingly intricate cabling and liked the shape, and happily the pattern was freely available on-line from Berroco’s Web site. A serendipitously timed clearance sale at a local yarn shop provided the yarn at a very reasonable price, so away we go…

This is a fun pattern to knit. This is kind of a funny thing to say, since all knitting is intended to be enjoyable (else why do it?), but to me a good pattern has an ebb and flow that is a little like a story. It keeps your attention, includes some surprises along the way, and offers a satisfying conclusion. This pattern was a good story, and a quick read (the actual knitting took place over a single weekend). Each of the two side panels is knit by casting on the long edge and decreasing stitches each row as you approach the center. Your rows go by faster and faster… almost like knitting “downhill.”

The handle was something of an improvisation. Many of the ready-made straps in the store are hard plastic, bamboo or leather. The hard materials were right out, and I wanted to avoid using leather, so I ended up using this suede-like yarn instead. The rings are from a hardware store. The individual strands of yarn were tied to the first ring, grouped and braided, then individually tied to the second ring. Extra yarn was used to wrap around the free ends and neaten up the joins.

When the bag was assembled, I decided it would be better to add a lining for added durability and to help the bag keep its shape when holding items. I went looking through the fabric stash and found some “fur” I used to make a Totoro costume a while back. Pieces were measured out, cut, and sewn together. I even had enough material to add a small interior pocket. The lining was then whip stitched to the purse, a button and loop added for the closure, and voila! A satisfying conclusion to a delightful little story.

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