We interrupt this finished knits parade to brag about the creativity and pure genius of my girl Stitchy. I tell you what - the worst thing about knowing these nuts in person is that you find out that THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN’T BLOG ABOUT. This is one of those things that has been chained to my leg. I found out about Debbie’s new book some time ago and I busted at the seams with Pride and Joy. But had to keep it in. Well, no more. It’s officially out….go give her some lovin’.

Alrighty then….

Entering day three of the finish the knits parade. I can see why I do not talk about this stuff too much, it bores me. Granted, I bore easily but this is ridonkulous.

A few months ago, December to be exact, I came across Cast on, Cast off Jenifer’s Tote-along. I didn’t join because really, what more reason NOT to knit something then because you are in a knit along. Truly the kiss of death. However, I was totally smashed in the head by this post and this post by Marina from “Have sticks, will travel.” These bags (the Vertical Stripe bag from Pick Up Sticks) are so cute! And they claim to stand up and they seemed to be thick and sturdy. And the color combinations are endless. And I had never felted. And I wondered what it would be like. And. And. And.

I filed this information away and a few weeks later I found myself in Lowell, MA at the Classic Elite whorehouse…I mean wearhouse. They carry Pick - Up Sticks patterns and Brown Sheep Nature Spun Yarns. I bought both and I knit the pattern during my Christmas vacation.

My goal was to knit one panel a day. There are 8 panels. The math minded among us will tell us that I finished - 8 days later - voila! 8 days of work and I had big old bag that I needed to felt before we left the ‘rents house for the holidays (we have a front-loader at home, they have a top-loader.)

Our plans were to drive back to the Bean on New Years Day. You know what that meant? As the ball dropped in NYC my bag swished and swashed in the tub of the washer. It was a family affair. Dad, the engineer, was particularly interested in the process. Mom, the quilter, made a lining of some fabric I had picked out during our trip to her local quilting store. Rob, the husband, drank a lot of beer and cheered us all on!

This Quilting store? The ladies there are crazy. They talked about how they were going to corrupt me into liking quilting, how they were super excited about an up-and-coming quilting retreat, how they were glad they had made so many good friends through quilting. Total dorks.

Pot? What? Kettle? Black? I can’t hear you…. I’m too busy making fun of myself.
On to the pictures…

I still have to sew in the lining. L-A-Z-Y. Of course, this little detail has kept me from actually using the damn thing.

The pattern is great, the bag is sturdy the construction is ingenious. I would definitely made it again but would probably double the length of the stripes, and therefore doubling the height of the bag.

Go forth and knit a bag now. Oh, and Cascade 220? On sale at WEBS for ass cheap (ass cheap = $4.79.)