BITS AND PIECES of BITS AND PIECES

First I want to thank everyone for the kind comments both on and off the blog.
I thought I would add a few details about the tote. First, I used the slip stitch method and just made up the design as I went according to what color scraps I had. I started by knitting a large rectangle, then picked up all of the stitches on four sides with a 24" circular and knit in the round changing yarn colors and never working with more than two colors at a time. I knit until I ran out of yarn, then felted the whole mess. Believe me, I wasn't sure that it would turn out to be anything useful. If you haven't tried color work using the slip stitch method, it is so easy and perfect for projects that you intend to felt.
As far as the leather strap goes, we have a fabric outlet that always has a large bin of scraps of beautiful leather. There are lots of different colors and the shapes of the pieces are irregular. My daughter pieced the handle together and used a walking foot on the sewing machine to sew the thing together. As for the grommets, they are industrial strength with teeth and a deep channel to hold soft fabric tight. I found that little grommets just pulled right out.
Hope this helps explain my accidental tote.
Good source for the slip stitch and color work is the Sally Melville color book, although I'm sure you can find sources on the web if you google "slip stitch".

CABLE CLUTCH - MALABRIGO

 

LOOP-D-LOOP CORRUGATED ASYMETRICAL IN REYNOLDS CABANA

 

RUFFLED SCARF -SILK AND KID SILK HAZE

 

MALABRIGO HAT DESIGN-AS-YOU-GO

 

BITS AND PIECS LARGE TOTE

 

KNITTING? WHAT KNITTING?

Believe it or not, I have finished a few things. That's the good thing. Most of what I've finished has nothing to do with the projects listed above as OTN. This is the bad thing.

Finished:
Boyfriend Scarf - Last Minute Gifts - Camel Colored Cashmere purchased from Ebay
3 Winter Hats - Designed as I knit - 1 Cashmere, 1 Malabrigo, 1 Koigu KPM
1 Large Tote Bag - Designed as I went along, felted - used up bits and pieces of leftover Galway
1 Cabled Clutch - My version of the now famous purse seen everywhere - This was an OTN!!!
6 Ruffled Scarves - Various yarns including 3 strands Kid Silk Mohair
2 Amelia Earhart Hats - one with added chin strap - Malabrigo
Man's Winter Skull Cap - Alpaca

Progress:
Aran Sweater - 6"
Bolero/Shoulder Shrug - Editors' Patterns from Interweave Knits Summer 2005 - 95%(have sew side seams and block)
Cabled Clutch - Second version of above- Home Dyed bulky Red Silk - 100%
Clapotis - Lion and Lamb - Black Purl - 70%
Clapotis - MCY Silk - 80%
Mixed Cable Scarf - Classic Elite Posh - Medium Celery Green - 25%
Dropped Loop Scarf - Royal silk - 80%
Lacey Ribbed Scarf - Ultra Merino - 10% (frogged)

No Progress:
No Comment!

As you can see, my list from last post has changed. Definitely ADD at work here. I'm trying to stay with the projects listed under Progress. There are three other projects I want to start and finish for the Holidays. Just have to wait and see. My new mantra is: "People have birthdays".
I'm not promising pictures, but I have every intention of taking some of a few of the finished items. Of course quite a few of them have already left my hands and are on the heads, around the necks, etc. of the people I love.