This is definitely the MOST bad-ass thing I’ve ever knit. Check it out:
This was the first pattern in… the history of me knitting that was worth lining. If I was going to do this, I was going to do this right. And oh, how right it turned out! The knitting itself was pretty fun… the pattern grows in a real cool progression, so it’s a really fun knit. I had to re-knit the gusset (after going 1/2 way and realizing that the stitch count was supposed to increase a bit – oops!) and while it’s shorter than the pattern calls for, it’s perfectly functional. And check out the inside…
I love it, love it, love it. I’m going out to dinner tonight and I cannot wait to bring this and get tons of compliments! You’ll notice that this bag has a nice inside… and a zipper…
Yea, I bought a sewing machine. I know, I know, kind of an expensive impulse buy – but I had some extra christmas money and its one of those things that a crafter should have… and it’s the reason why I haven’t done the steeking thing (which is the one remaining knitting technique I haven’t done – that I can think of anyway).
I had some trouble with getting the sewing machine going. I kept getting the bobbin thread stuck. Luckily one of the RAs I work with has LOTS of experience with a sewing machine and since she owed me, she helped me out. I even sewed the zipper to the knit piece! I’m like a sewing fool now 🙂
I know you probably want some more details, but I wanted to give you another photo to drool at.
Pattern: Brea Bag a free pattern from Berroco
Designer: Norah Gaughan
Yarn: 2 hand dyed skeins of Lion Brand Lion Wool
Needles: US 7
Lining: An old skirt that I had from a few years ago
Strap: Thiefed from old Target handbag
Button: From the stash! yay for buttons!
Pattern Mods: The gusset was worked 1 stitch narrower and shorter than the pattern called for
Time: Cast-on Wednesday, Bind off and other finishing done by 4 am last night (yea, I know that was pretty late… I’ll pay for that later, I’m sure).
Want one more photo? OK!
All Buttoned Up 
I love it! Great job with the lineing and zipper.
Wow! That’s a great pattern, and you did a wonderful job with it.
Wow, that is gorgeous. I’m so impressed with the finishing, it looks really professional.
Love the brown and the blue together. I’ve never put a zipper in anything! Very impressive.
That is gorgeous, really unique – well done!
This is beautiful! I love the leather strap and button. The blue lining is a nice surprise!
I love it!! What a handsome bag – you will surely get tons of compliments. I love the clever re-use of other items as well, very clever!
That’s pretty awesome. I love the bright blue lining with the brown yarn. Congratulations–its fabulous.
I found your blog via the Shiny group in Flickr. I love this bag. I’ve wanted to make it ever since I saw the pattern but I’m terrified of lining it. Must find myself someone who really knows how to use a sewing machine.
it came out bee-a-u-tee-ful. so so awesome. I love the whole thing… the strap looks awesome too.
Your bag is beautiful. I am jealous about the sewing machine. I sew zips on by hand and steeks that way too. Have fun with it all.
Seriously, that’s gorgeous! You did such a great job with it.
Beautiful! I’m simply jealous 🙂
Beautiful bag! The lining takes it up another notch in gorgeousness. 😀
Also, yay for sewing machines! I agree that every knitter should have one, although I only recently got the hang of actually using mine.
That is fantastic!
I am not a bag person. As long as it holds my stuff, I’m good. But that bag is beautiful! (Way more so than the one on the pattern!) I am totally going to make one (when I finish the hundreds of other things I have set for myself!)
Such a cute bag! I kinda want one now.
But it will have to wait until I knit my swiffer!
you. are. AMAZING.
love the bag!
love you!
can’t wait to see you workin’ the fab tote next time i visit blooms.
xoxo,
lauren
I love it, love it, love it too! Fab finishing too!
Had to delurk to say that bag is totally gorgeous! And totally badass/fancy with the zipper and lining! Great colors, great yarn, great everything. Totally inspiring!
That’s awesome. I’ve had a sewing machine for months now, but I would never have the guts to put it near my knitting!
Love, love, love… 🙂 Love the pattern… love the colour… and love… yeah, just love it!!! 😉 Need it, or? 😉
Hugs from Sweden – and just now on my way to find the pattern… … … 🙂
really beautiful!