Tote Exchange

Welcome to the Tote Exchange where you can sign up to secretly knit and exchange a bag / tote / purse that is knit or knit & felted. The exchange is now closed to new participants, but please remember to post each month with your progress. All participants should receive their package by July 21, 2006.

Friday, June 30, 2006

Another one finished...

I have finished my bag and actually have it in a box to go to the post office... once I add a note to it. I'm afraid I won't get it shipped tho till after I get back from vacation (SC with DH's family) and I can't post a pic since I haven't gotten that far with the new camera and my pal knows who I am - I don't want to spoil it for her!!

So soon

Can't believe June is almost over. This has been fun seeing all the various patterns.

The June post!

It's been a tough and crazy month for me, but I have my bag underway. Ah, my poor pal! It'll be worth the wait!

Bye, bye, June!

Ok, so here I am just getting my June post in under the wire! My goal for this weekend is to get everything together and get the tote ready for mailing on Monday. I'm sure someone is very patiently waiting and wondering. I never did get a "secret e-mail" address, so my pal has been high and dry with no communication from me. Well, hang on a little longer, it's on the way!!!

Thursday, June 29, 2006

So You Want Pictures?

As promised, Evelyn, here are the pictures:




Yes, I was the lucky recipient of Evelyn's beautiful bag! I was so thrilled to receive this in the mail since it's the first time I've ever received a knitted gift during a secret exchange ( the other one I participated, well, didn't go so smoothly).

Huge thank you to Evelyn! I love it! You will also be added to the Hall of Fame. Congratulations!

Now for my June update (making it before June 30th!):


As you can see, the main body is done. I just need to finish the edging. This last step is taking me a long time because I have to knit in the front and back of every stich... for 3 rows! That adds a LOT of stitches. Fortunately, it's a good project to take along to knitting groups when I need something simple to knit and don't require so much concentration. I'm s l o w l y getting to the finished line. I did eventually chose to knit with Frog Tree alpaca in purple.

It's done!


My bag is done, lined & justa bout ready to be wrapped & boxed up! I need to gather my other little "goodies" & get to the post office either tomorrow or Weds (Saturday we'll be in ATL shopping).

I LOVED doing this pattern & hope my partner likes it!!

Photos Please!

Hey Ladies:

Glad everyone is enjoying the Exchange and it sounds like lots of bags are being worked on fast and furiously! I want to ask people to please, please post photos so we can see all the wonderful work. Post a photo of your bag before you send it. Then those of us reading the blog can ooh and aaah and hope it will show up in our mailbox. Post of photo of it when you receive it - funny thing is that the bags often look different when they arrive (different lighting and cameras of course but still fun to compare). For instance - I can't seem to find a photo of Collette's bag that was sent and received - is it on the blog? If you're having trouble posting then e-mail the photo to us hostesses at the gmail account and we'll post if for you if we can. Anyway - just a plea for photos as we really want to see what all this effort is creating! Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone and here's hoping we all have lots of time to knit this weekend (we can hope anyway!)

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Against the clock

I've been knitting furiously to meet the deadline, and tonight the main body of the bag took a trip through the washing machine. I like the effect, but my husband thinks it should be felted more. I'll make the handles while I decide what to do.
Hope to get the finished article in the post next week.

Almost done

Only three more inches left to go. I'm so slow because the yarn I have chosen is hard on my hands, but it is very beautiful and I am anxious to finish and get this tote in the mail!

My tote is out the door!!

You should have it by Saturday.. Hope you like it.
blessings, debra

Tote Exchange

I have finished my pal's tote, and hope to get it in the mail by this weekend. I hope she likes it and hopefully she will post a picture as I have been having troubles doing that...This has been alot of fun and would love to do this again sometime.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

I got my tote!

I was the lucky recipient of Colettes fair isle bag. the bag is darker than the picture depicts.. but I love it- reminds me of roses. Thank you Colette.
I got my handles yesterday, I put them on today. Hope to have the bag out in the next few days..
blessings,debra

June message

I have completed several bags, ready to felt, and have a couple more still in the works. I just got back from a trip to L.A. I spent 7 hours in the airport waiting for our return flight to Cleveland and made alot of progress knitting !!! I'm looking forward to hearing more from my secret pal and the actual bag exchange too.

Getting There

I thought I had posted in June but it turns out that my last post was 31 May, so an understandable mistake there!

I have finished knitting my bag, but I need to sew in ends and wash the pieces and sew them together. Then I intend lining it.

I have made a pin to go with it, which I really think turned out well - my daughter wants it so I have had to promise her one of her own!

checking in

Hi everyone, just checking in for the month of June, i am still working on the bag, but it is going good, it has just been so so busy around here, so the bag is coming slowy but surely. Well i guess i better go get working on the bag. ttfn.

BarBara<><

Checking in for June

Hi Everyone. I'm just checking in for the month of June. My bag is pretty much done. I'll be taking pictures this weekend and get it in the mail on Monday. I've enjoyed this whole exchange thing. I love surprising people!

Vicki

Still a blobb

Hi All -- I am writing this update to say hi, and to give the hosts one less person to email :-) The bag is still a "blobb" of knitting, so no pictures to post, but I must say it's coming out nicely!

I love looking at every's finished product!! Way to go ladies - you all have raised the bar pretty high!!

Sunday, June 25, 2006

decisions decisions

i have been meaning to post and then i couldn't remember how...reread the directions...duhhhhhhh.

i have finished one bag, just need handles and some finishing touches on 2 others. as soon as i finish the handles and final touches, i'm going to post them on another site that i frequent and see which one they think i should send...i really like them all. and they are each really different from each other.

if i really like them and want to keep them, hopefully the person on the other end will like which ever one i end up sending.

i have accrued some cute little goodies to fill the bag with as well...

decisions decisions which shall i send??

i'll post again when i make my decision and get it in the mail.

have a great week.......Lisa in college station.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Nearly done!

My Via Diagonale is done, the straps sewn on & the lining is all that's left to do!

With any luck I'll get it done this week (hectic week w/ MOMS stuff ) & then it'll be on it's way to my partner!

ATTN: TOTE - EXCHANGER'S!

Have you posted your June update yet? I don't mean to nag, but only less than 50% of our members have posted for June about their Bag's progress and there's only less than one week of June left! Help a poor hostess out so that she doesn't have so many e-mails to send to remind people to post. :)

time to say goodbye...

I see it is time to say goodbye to my Via Diagonale and send it on its way to my secret pal. My daughter loves this bag so I had to pack it up when she wasn't looking.

So pal I hope you like it too - it will be on your doorstep in a few days.

Bag is on the way to you! ^^

Today I completed my parcel and sent the bag to one of you! ^^ It may take some time to get to its destination since it's an overseas route but I hope it'll make it in time for the deadline.
This was fun and I already want to join another bag swap. *^v^*

Friday, June 23, 2006

Bag is Complete!

OK, I declare that this will be the most lame post EVER because I finished my bag, mailed it to my pal and failed to take a final photo! Curses! It's a celadon green felted bag with two thin, black bands down the front, black I-cord trim around the top, black leather straps, a fabulous lining and a magnetic snap.

I have asked my pal to send me a picture of it when she receives it so that I can post it here. For now I'll say that I'm pleased with how it came out. I almost wanted to keep it for myself, but as I am the original bag addict, I really don't need another bag.

This was fun, and I hope that we do another round 'cause I can make bags all day.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Just About Finished

Here is a recent picture of the tote. I felted it today. I had so much fun doing it, as I have never done a felted project before. It did make me really nervous that it would shrink too much, or get all mangled in the wash. I used Lambspride Bulky and it worked really well! All of the pieces and parts to the purse are in the picture. I tried to take a picture of the 3 pockets on the inside, but they didn't turn out. Hopefully I can have it assembled and mailed out by the weekend!

Thank you, Thank you to my Pal

Thank you so much Sue in Ohio for my great bag. When I stopped by my mailbox yesterday (it's not at my house, so I admit that sometimes it takes me a week or so to remember to fetch the mail), I saw that I had a package and went totally blank for a moment. I couldn't figure out who would be sending me something, and I was confused even further when I saw the "joann fabrics" on the box. I do believe that denial is a highly underrated coping strategy, but if I've started purchasing things in my sleep, I'm going to worry!

But of course, it all came clear when I opened the box and saw my fabulous new tote! It's really fascinating, because it's a bit of an unusual shape---like a felted basket or bucket kind of shape, but with straps for carrying. Very, very cool. I love the "fabric," too---it's a great blue color overall, but has an underlying multicolored thread. I'm not sure I'm describing it very well, I'm afraid, but it really is great.

I'm going to try to get some photos over the next couple of days to post on the "hall of fame" section. In the meantime, though, thanks again, Sue. I really like it a lot!

Now, in other news, I must sheepishly admit that I'm nowhere near done with the tote I'm knitting for my other pal, but I am working on it. The second set of yarn has been purchased and a rather large swatch, which might, in fact, become either a pocket or a little "extra" bag (seriously, it's a big swatch) has been knit, felted, and dried. The bottom of the bag is cast on and begun, so now it's just a matter of keeping knitting! So to all who've not yet gotten your bags, one of whom is my pal, don't lose faith! The tote is coming along!

Monday, June 19, 2006

Tote Exchange

Tote Exchange
Hello all!
I have been having such a hard time posting here - hopefully, this will not get sent off to some unknown blogsphere!
I am diligently working on my pal's tote. It has been going slow, though, due to the fact that my carpal tunnel has decided to flare up at the very moment I DON'T want it to!!! So, what would usually take me a few days to complete, is now taking me weeks. But, I plod on.
Hopefully, I will have pictures to post by the end of the week. Say a prayer that my hand gets better soon. Due to medical history, I am not allowed to take anti-inflammatory drugs, so the hand has to heal on its own. If you guys have any ideas to heal my hand sooner, let me know!!
Later, everybody!
Just-Ducky

All Done and Ready to Go


It's knitted; it's felted; it's assembled--whew! I really like how this backpack came out--for starters it doesn't look like a cow-udder warmer anymore. (See my post from May 11 for the "during" photo). It has pockets on the back and inside, the straps are adjustable and you can cinch it shut. I think it's big enough to carry a fair amount of stuff while not so big that you'd loose everything in its dark recesses. My favorite detail, though, is the button, which is modeled after an old-fashioned American buffalo nickel. It's the nice finishing touch for a bag made by an American who lives in the West.

Sadly the youthful figure in the photo does not belong to me, but rather to my DD who I coerced into modeling. Many thanks to Allison and her post about the endless band; her perseverance inspired me to do the final assembly on this. It's off to the post office tomorrow a.m. for the bag's long journey to its new home.

This has been a lot of fun for me and got me to try a pattern that I had literally been contemplating for 2 1/2 years. I sure hope the recipient likes it. AND I'd love to take part again if there's ever another tote exchange.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Thank you Linda

I received a really pretty bag from Linda a few weeks ago. I have been back and forth to California and haven't had a chance to post a picture. Thank you very much for the wonderful bag.



Also my bag went in the mail on Wednesday to Singagpore.

Wanda

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Mine almost done!

I ordered handles yesterday for my bag that was finished before I had the baby. So hopefully by the end of next week my bag will get sent out.
blessings,debra
http://woolieacres.blog-city.com

And the Band goes on and on and on and on . ..


I'm diligently working away on my pal's bag. I started with the front piece. It was fun to knit and went fairly quickly. Then I began - THE BAND. You knit a band about 16 stitches wide, it forms the side, then the handle then the other side and then the bottom. Little did I know it would take me MY ENTIRE LIFE to knit the thing. Each side is supposed to have 140 rows but after 111 and decided it was the right size to fit. Then the handle is over 200 rows - I also shortened that as I'm pretty sure my pal is not an orangutang (sp?) I knit that side and then about half of the handle and couldn't take it any more. So I knit the back of the bag. That went quickly and was also fun to knit. But I finished that so I'm back to THE BAND. And I'm knitting and knitting and knitting. My dearest pal - I haven't forsaken you - I'm just still knitting!

Friday, June 16, 2006

Almost done and then...

Well here the bag is pre-felting. It doesn't look too exciting, but I will be using some embelishments on it after I felt it. It actually has 3 pockets on the inside and I really liked knitting it! I have it all stitched up and I am ready to put the strap on, but....I ran out of yarn. So I will have to pick up some more at my LYS tomorrow. I am going out with a friend anyway for my stashalong day off. No need to twist my arm for a reason to buy more yarn :).

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Bag finished

The bag finally felted and is now drying. The fabric is so thick it feels bulletproof! I have posted a picture on my blog. I hope my pal likes it. I am going to post it from the UK because I am leaving Singapore in less than a week's time, so if whoever is making me a bag has not yet sent it email me for my UK address please. Now I have to knit 6 more felted bags within a week as presents, but they will definitely not be as complicated as this one, the others will all be in plain stockinette.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006


Here is my bag pre felting. I still need to add handles. This was my first project using fair isle knitting and I loved it. Posted by Picasa


Here is a close up of my bag so you can see the pattern This is pre felting. Posted by Picasa


Here is a photo of my finished bag. It will be in the mail by Monday, latest. Posted by Picasa

Still working, a bit behind, but still working!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to post that I'm still working on the bag! In fact, I've kinda re-started working on the bag now. When last I posted, I'd determined from my swatch that the combination of yarns that I wanted to use wasn't going to work (they felted at different rates). So I went ahead and ordered new yarn (because basically, I will accept *any* excuse to order new yarn!). It's the Andean wool from Knit Picks, since my bag will be felted.

And now, I've begun again. The good news (aside from my having an excuse to order more yarn, that is ;-) is that the colors (chosen from the internet) are really pretty together.

So if there's anyone else out there still working---take heart, you are not alone! I'll post again when I have more news.

Monday, June 12, 2006

June update

I finished the knitting on Saturday evening and felted the bag last night. Now I just have to wait for it to dry before I assemble it all. I made a felted backpack so there's still the sewing on of straps and so on. I'm very please with how the yarn--a "heather"-- felted. It will be tough to let this one go! Will post a photo when it's all together and ready to be shipped.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Saying goodbye....

OK, I put it in it's box and had to close it quickly so it wouldn't try to stay here.
I love this bag, if I may take a moment to brag...
Hope my bag buddy likes it as much as I do.
I will take it to the PO tomorrow and it will be on it's way.
Sue in OH

Friday, June 09, 2006

Junebug Thoughts....

Here we are, almost at the midpoint of the exchange! Whew! Now would be a good time to remind folks of the helpful people at your local post office. They have tracking services so that you can monitor your parcel's travel progress to its destination. They have a FAQ on how to package properly as well as how to ensure safe delivery of your package! For the international folks, some of these FAQ's might be useful to you, too.

The US Post Office

Remember, all packages must be received by July 21. If you'd like to know how long the mail delivery system takes to get to a certain destination, I would suggest talking to your local Post Office or going to the website.

Good luck everyone! I look forward to posting some pictures soon in the Hall of Fame!

Post if you've Received your bag

Hope everyone is having fun creating their bag! The pictures posted so far have been wonderful. I can't wait to see more!

I just wanted to post a note on behalf of the hostesses to remind you that if you've received your bag, we'd like to know! And don't forget to let the person who created your bag know as well.

Also, if you haven't already done so, I'd like to suggest you contact your partner. Although it wasn't required, I think some people are getting worried that they haven't heard from their person. If you don't have an anonymous email address, feel free to send an email to the gmail account and I'll send your email under that address so you can remain anonymous.

Bonnie

Monday, June 05, 2006

Finished bag photo teaser......




Here is the finished photos of my bag. One of the design features that you can't see is that I put in a grommet on the side of the bag. This is so that if she wants to use the bag as a knitting bag she can keep her yarn inside the tote run the working yarn outside the bag to knit with if she wants to. I thought that would maybe be a neat feature that would keep the yarn from perhaps tangling especially if she was doing color work. As you can see the bag has especially long handles so she can carry it across her body if she wants to. It's got a nice sturdy bottom and a heavy rim so it stands up fairly well on its own.

I hope she likes it.

Lisa

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Felting

The bag is now felting in the washing machine. I decided that, since I asked for a modular knit bag, I should attempt a smilarly difficult one for my exchange partner. The bag is entrelac + crochet + appliques, rather colorful, with a circular base with a bucket bag. It was quite large before felting but I do not know what it will be like after the washing machine gets through with it. Will post a picture after it's felted and the handles sewn on properly.

Felted Knitting Bag is finished



I've finished the bag for my Exchange Pal (my second felted project ever! ^^) and I'll be sending it to one of you next week, so check your mailboxes in the second half of June, girls!
(*^-^*)
I call it the Knitting Bag because it's roomy enough for a pair of straight needles and some yarn, but of course my Pal will use it the way she chooses.
If anyone's interested, here you can find the free pattern for this bag, because I designed it myself. >^v^<

Friday, June 02, 2006

sassybratluvs2knit

sassybratluvs2knit

If anyone has any questions for me regarding B4 Bag, or other knitting questions,feel free to email me...if I can answer your questions , I would be happy to
at slamb@sunpacific.com or s_toolesassybrat2@yahoo.com