Felted Bag Contest

So I was at my local yarn shop the other week, and found out they were having a felted bag contest. The only problem being that all entries had to be done and submitted the following week. Eeep!

So I grab some yarn and head home to get started. Where to start. Browsing ravelry I really didn't find anything I liked, so I decided to just invent my bag as I went along. I started out with a basic garter stitch bottom, picked up stitches along the outside, and went to town on it. Five days later and I had my basic bag shape finished how I wanted it. Another day and the i-cord was finished (I hoped at least, as I wasn't sure how much it was going to shrink, double eeep!).

Now, every previous time I had felted something (once) I had done it in the shower (yes, ha ha, "I felt it in the shower"). Doing a whole bag this way ended up being none to practical. Off to the washer I went, soaking wet bag in hand. In went a pair of jeans, and my project in a pillowcase. 10 very anxious minutes later I was the proud owner of a nicely felted bag!

Ok, we've now reached the point where I can tell you something I've learned. Let the thing go through the spin cycle. I know there are a few sites on the internet that say not to, but when you have less than 20 hours to submit your piece, or need to wear it, there's no way it will be dry unless you live in the Sahara. A couple hours with the iron later and it was sufficiently damp to be able to take to my knitting social and submit.

Upon arriving, everyone had me hold it up and show it off. One lady asks "How long have you been knitting?" Since december. "Oh wow! You're really good!" What pattern did you use?" None, I just made it up as I went along. After saying that, I heard from somewhere at the table "Bastard!" It made my night =)



I'll find out in a couple weeks if I won or not, or how I did. I'll be sure to add that here when I find out.