I have decided at the end that my knitted bag is maybe too "wintery" for the swap (everyone else seems to be making spring/summer bags), so the sewn one will be making the trip to my bag-pal after all and you will have to wait mid-June to see it...
So without further delay, I am showing you the result of my recent labours. I had some Phildar Sport'Laine in my stash, originally destined for a cardigan that turned nasty on me. The idea to use some of it to make a bag came to me one evening and after a few days of thinking, drawing and swatching, I finally acted. I stitched the sides and bottoms seams on the outside to give it its "boxy" look. Jaeger Siena 4ply was used for the picot edge . The ribbon is sewn on the wrong side of the lining and pulled through eyelets on the sides of the bag. The beads had to be sewn labouriously one by one as they were too small to be knitted.
Click on the smaller pictures to see details of beads, closure and a glimpse of the lining fabric. I apologize for the poor quality of the photography which is definitively not my department!
it is just beautiful! will you publish the pattern?
Posted by: anna | May 17, 2006 at 11:58 PM
the bag looks fabulous!! the details are amazing.
Posted by: blossom | May 18, 2006 at 12:46 AM
Stunning! And you had to hand-sew the beads? That took patience and remarkable determination. Very, no, supremely, well done!
Posted by: Kim | May 18, 2006 at 01:22 AM
Fab bag! Love all the special details that you have taken such care with.
Posted by: erin | May 18, 2006 at 02:02 AM
Great looking bag! I like the color and pattern.
Posted by: Jessica | May 18, 2006 at 03:24 AM
That bag is to die for! Clever girl! Hand sewn beads and a beautiful button for the closure. That is a real winner!
Posted by: peg-woolinmysoup@blogspot.com | May 18, 2006 at 04:48 AM
Your bag is very Wintry - you're right!! It looks like it needs to be taken ice skating with a Victorian Miss!! The details are divine!!!
Posted by: 2paw | May 18, 2006 at 05:46 AM
It's beautiful! I love the picot edging and the ribbons! The traveling stitch and the beads are wonderful too! I can't say enough about how much I love the pattern. Will you be publishing it on your site?
Posted by: Marie | May 18, 2006 at 07:16 AM
Ce sac est ravissant! et quel souci du détail! il aurait été parfait pour le swap, mais, hum, tu as tout aussi raison de le garder pour toi, il faut savoir se faire plaisir de temps en temps ;)
Posted by: sandra | May 18, 2006 at 10:25 AM
je suis épatée, chaque fois, par ton sens du détail! Françoise : la reine du petitdétailraffinéquifaitoutlecharme... Je comprends que tu aies envie de le garder ce ravissant petit sac.
Posted by: cecile | May 18, 2006 at 10:28 AM
this bag is beautiful.... don't hesitate to use it for the swap....!
Posted by: le chat qui coud | May 18, 2006 at 12:14 PM
In the album "to sell or swap" i've seen the boof "crochet bag and rug" or thinks like that... Do you sell it or swap? I love swap but i don't know if I have something you are intersted in...?
Please let me know!
Posted by: le chat qui coud | May 18, 2006 at 12:18 PM
This bag is great. The color and pattern is fabulous.Tes idees sont formidables..C'est toujours un grand plaisir de visiter ton blog...
Posted by: mumintroll | May 18, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Il est magnifiquement sompteux !
Posted by: niqui | May 18, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Eh bien moi aussi je le trouve absolument splendide, ce sac, au point qu'il me ferait oublier tous mes prejuges concernant les sacs au tricot (comprendre, sacs en tricot non bouilli) ! Et comme Anna, je ne peux pas m'empecher de me demander si (et d'esperer que !) tu en partageras le patron avec nous...
En attendant, je me contente d'admirer ! :-)
Posted by: Noa | May 18, 2006 at 01:02 PM
It's beautiful! I am in awe of your sewing all those beads on by hand. I hope we get to see the pattern...
Posted by: Mary | May 18, 2006 at 01:43 PM
It's lovely and the details are beautiful! I've been searching for bag patterns that doesn't involve felting and you've definitely inspired me to knit one some day :)
Posted by: lyn | May 18, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Il est rafiné, il est beau, j'adore ses petits détails (perles, boutons...)
Posted by: caro | May 18, 2006 at 07:14 PM
raFFIné, pardon !
Posted by: caro | May 18, 2006 at 07:15 PM
Ton sac est magnifique, Françoise! Je n'aurais pas été fachée de le recevoir, mais comme dit Sandra, tu fais bien de le garder pour toi! On n'est jamais mieux gâté que par soi-même! ;0)
Posted by: Deborah | May 18, 2006 at 09:41 PM
wow, what a great bag, and all of that detail! I think this would have made a lovely present as well. I can't wait to see the sewn bag!
Posted by: dawn | May 18, 2006 at 11:38 PM
I love it! It is gorgeous. The colour is beautiful, and the pattern lovely.
Posted by: Adriana | May 19, 2006 at 07:26 AM
Fabulous! And the details you added are perfect touches.
Posted by: diana | May 19, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Il est magnifique ton sac, je l'adore ! Très beau et très raffiné avec ses perles et ses rubans, vraiment bravo !!
Posted by: Christine | May 19, 2006 at 03:44 PM
Your bag is absolutely beautiful, Françoise! So feminine and original. I can't believe you stitched those beads one by one - what a work of love! Oh, and that ribbon - adorable.
Passe un bon week-end, Françoise !
Posted by: Isabelle | May 19, 2006 at 04:01 PM