2011-04-13

Top design

During these HandmadebyMia-years I have been knitting and felting (and making some designing work too) many different kind of bags. Smaller, bigger, striped, round, with flap, with long strap, two handles - you name it. But I haven't made a perfect purse-design, something just to carry your essentials in a pretty bag on your shoulder.



So to the designing studio I went (read: a cup of coffee and on my dear old sofa) with my beloved coloring pens, calculator and needles&wool. I made some sketching, and started to knit. I made one bag first, liked it, and made more... and some more.. You know me?



Looking not-that-glamorous before felting...



...But once finished, I'm happy! It's wonderful to see how same design (same gauge, needles, different wool) comes out totally different when the color changes. And not to mention the decorations.


I definitely can see more of these coming, but before that I have other designing work to be completed. I am having a happy week - wishing you the very same!

Yours,
Mia

24 comments:

Teje Karjalainen said...

Good Morning Mia!
What a love post for the morning coffee! I love your new purses - especially the blue one! You have so beautiful imagination!
Spring wishes from Crete! Teje

Mia said...

Thank you, dear Teje!

Happy week and SUNNY-SUNNY-SUNNY greetings from Finland to you!

Yours,
Mia

Jane said...

Good morning Mia, your new purses are beautiful.....my favourite though is my very own piggie one you made for me...that one is purse perfection! We have finally lost our sunny weather, but then it is only 13th April so we should not really complain.
Happy Wednesday, time for me to dash off to work,
Jane x

Mia said...

Good morning, dearest Jane!

It's sunny and pretty here (yet a bit cold) but I'll be blowing some sun to your way! I wish you'll have more beautiful days to come as I know how you (and Billy!) enjoy it outdoors!

See you soon again!

Yours,
Mia

Emer said...

These bags look lovely, so springy and happy. Happy rainy day from Ireland.

Mia said...

Thank you, Emer!

I am sending sunshine to your way :)

Yours,
Mia

verykerryberry said...

A lovely practical shape and your adornments are beautiful and quirky as always!

Pam said...

You're right Mia, they all look so different - but they all look so beautiful. I feel a purchase coming on!
P xx

Mia said...

Thank you, Kerry!

You always know just the right words, quirky yet practical is just what I had in mind too!

Have a wonderful week!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Thank you, Pam!

I like this design too, not too small not too big and oh, the decoration possibilities are endless!

Sunshine to your week!

Yours,
Mia

Roxi said...

Sweet :)

greenrabbitdesigns said...

They're gorgeous Mia, I especially love the gold one it reminds me of Easter with it's colours.
You are so productive and there's always something new. :)
Happy Wednesday, the sun is trying it's best now to come out, hope it succeeds!
Vivienne x

Mia said...

Thank you, Roxi!

Sunny week to you!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hi Viv,

So it's working, I have been blowing the sun to your way last hour :) I wish it'll get better soon.

The yellowish-bag is sort of Easterish ;) to me too, and there are even some hens inside (the lining)!

Happy Wednesday!

Yours,
Mia

Helen Philipps said...

Such lovely new bags, Mia! I have never tried felting but it really looks fantastic so some day I will have to. I love the decorations on these bags too, you are very good at creating each one to be special and different in its own way. Have a sunny week.
Helen x

Mia said...

Thank you, Helen!

And oh, you should try felting, it's so easy in a washing machine! And I know you enjoy knitting too, so it would be perfect for you :)

Happy and sunny week to you!

Yours,
Mia

Donna -Little Tiny Stitches said...

Sigh....I simply adore your work Mia :o)

I think you're a fantastic designer.

These bags are sooo cute. I must try felting my crochet, but i read somewhere that crochet wasn't so easy to felt as knitting as it is thicker (using more yarn) do you crochet as well Mia?


Have a fantastic weekend Mia.
Kind regards,
Donna

Shanti said...

I love them, and I can't truly understand how can you knit so fast!

Mia said...

Thank you, Donna!

And I cannot crochet :) but I know it should work quite well in felting (in bags for example) as it ends up with very sturdy structure. It might require longer time in a washer or a harder spin though? I use unspun wool in my felting and it breaks quite easily (when knitted) - I am not sure it would work that well with crocheting hook? Nut 100% wool yarn should work brilliantly! Give it a try, I'm sure you'll love it!

Happiest weekend to you too!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hi Shanti,

And I cannot understand how you can crochet those beautiful things you do :) I am not sure if I am that quick, my knitting is pretty basic and I try to design my bags and pouches with minimum seams to sew (do not like that!) max. one per item, ideally none :) makes it quicker too.

Happy and sunny Thursday!

Yours,
Mia

Anne said...

Hi Mia,

These look perfect to me---the size, colors, birdies, and flowers.

Feels like spring when I look at them.

Happy Thursday!!
Anne (PlumCreek22)

Mia said...

Thank you, Anne,

For your wonderful comment once again! I hope your days are sunnier abd brighter too!

Happy weekend soon!

Yours,
Mia

Susan said...

Hi Mia!
Do you needle felt your designs onto the bags? I have felted crocheted bag and then embroidered them but I have not needle felted yet. Your bags have inspired me!
Susan

Mia said...

Hello Susan,

Wonderful to see you here!

And yes, I do needle felt my flowers and birds into my bags! I sometimes use a bit of embroidery and some embellishments like buttons too. Needle felting is great, please give it a try!

Happy and creative (and SUNNY!) weekend!

Yours,
Mia

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