Good Bargains

Who doesn't love a sale? I love sales. A local library had a used book sale recently. Of course I went. I bought a few things. That stack of Martha Stewart Living magazine was $1 for the whole stack! I like looking through that magazine. And I got a Christmas craft book. Like I need another one. Well I guess I did, I bought it. And a Firehouse Cookbook. I rarely cook anymore and I have tons of cookbooks. But I do enjoy reading them. All together I spent $5.

Then I spied this little book at Joann's. It's so cute. I love these kind of books. Had a 50% off coupon, so into my cart it went.

Have you ever looked at the stuff people destash on Ravelry? Oh boy, very dangerous. I need to stay away. I got this ball of Malabrigo for a song. I just love this stuff. It's so addicting.

And I bought a ton of calico when it was recently on sale at Joann's. I got this pattern on ebay and I'll make that bag with this fabric.

I love finding a good sale!

Fun with a swift

I finally got a swift. It's a very simple one. I found it on etsy and I love it! I used it for the first time yesterday and wound a hank of sock yarn. It was a small hank. OMG, it was so fun, LOL!

It was my first time using a swift. I don't have a ball winder, so I wind my yarn by hand. That part I don't mind. But not having a swift was a real pain in the behind. I had to hang the yarn over a kitchen chair, and it just took forever. Here is the finished product.

I can't wait to wind some more!

I did get the Clapotis done. Finally. It's soaking, then I'm going to block it. Pictures next post.

I did get some sewing done lately. I made this bag.

Cute! Here's the other side.

I really screwed it up. The directions did not make sense. But now I think I got it. So I bought more fabric for another one. The outside is supposed to be the all brown color, the inside the print. I still like it and will use it.

My First Bag

I finally finished the bag I was making. I like how it turned out! Making a bag was a lot more work than I thought it would be, but it was fun, it challenged me, and I will definitely make another one some day.

Here is an overhead view:

And here is the inside. You can see the inside has a pocket also. There are four pockets on the outside too. Lots of room for stuff!

I used Butterick pattern B4532, View D. I made it with a cotton calico I bought at Joann, the lining is calico too. I also used magnetic snaps on it. I made the straps longer than the pattern called for and I sewed a button on the front instead of making a bow with ribbon. It's bigger than a purse I would normally use for everyday, but I will still use it. I can carry around a small knitting project in there if I want to. And maybe my lunch.

On the knitting needles I have a shawl that I started for my Mom for Mothers Day. I don't have much done yet. More on that next time.