It's All in the Accessories

I've been enamoured of the really cute felted handbags that seem to be popping up everywhere these days. I've got to be honest, a nice quick project appeals to me right now and I've been dying to try the new Tapestry (self striping) yarn from Rowan. When I saw this bag in the new Rowan 40 - it all came together. Maybe it's the wicker handles, maybe it's the "Mary Poppins" vibe in the picture - I don't know why but I love this little bag. I was at the Needle Emporium the day the load of Tapestry was being unpacked and scooped 4 balls of this yarn in the shade "Antique". It's a lovely series of purples, violets, golds and taupes. I have a jacket that's a chinchilla colour with lilac polar fleece lining - it'll be perfect!

I even scored the wicker handles from a store in the U.K. and I'll be doing the bobbles in Kid Classic colours "Bear and lavender Ice". I also found some old Rowan Magpie in a grape shade called "Thistle". I've also decided to line it with a cute little gingham print in the royal purple and gold colourway. I'm using my new Knit Picks Options needles for this and I'm blown away so far by the quality of these needles.

It took a few rows to decide if I liked the Tapestry yarn or not. I'm LOVING it! It's got a haze to it and is loosely spun which can result in some catching and split yarn but once you get used to the yarn, it sails along. It's made with wool and "Soya Protein Fibre". The yarn has a "silk-like" luster and is buttery soft. It stripes like Noro but the shades are much more...well....British (subdued).

Ava now has button bands and a collar band so all that remains is the attaching of the arms and sewing up the sides. With school starting this week and a national sales meeting to attend, the knitting and the blogging will have to fit into the few spare moments I'll have. Is it September 16th yet?