my first mission: locating the stitch for the counterpane used in that bag. i remembered seeing a book on counterpanes at LYS. well, today i went in search of it. and believe it or not, they were actually sold out. on top of that, it's out of print. the good news is, the library has it. ah yes, the library.
naturally, i couldn't leave the shop empty-handed. so, i picked up this great lace knitting reference. it is chock full of delicate, ethereal borders and inserts. the lady who wrote it basically spent her whole life collecting and transcribing vintage lace patterns. god love her. in it, i found the exact border that jenny atkinson used in butterfly. it would be fun to try another butterfly with a different border from this book.
i also picked up a skein of classic elite provence, a ropey, egyptian cotton with a slight sheen that might work for the F bag. jess over at the mouthwatering fig & plum also suggested a jute yarn. i found this himalayan jute online that's less than five bucks a skein. i think it needs a strong fiber with a firm hand. but i don't want it too scratchy. cotton would actually be great if i can find something stiff enough.
oh yeah, i also i found a pattern for the curlicue fringe. it's actually the corkscrew foliage from the floral scarf in VK holiday 2004. there is also a great curlicue tutorial here.
the hardest part will likely be coming up with the perfect wicker frame. i've been all over the web looking at pursemaking supplies, basketmaking supplies, and the like. there are a ton of cool wicker bags on ebay, but none has a top that could be separated cleanly to appropriate the F bag wicker frame. if i could find a cool enough frame or handles, it might not matter that it's not wicker. but i'm not ready to give up yet.
that's the beauty of obsession. it's very patient.
7 comments:
Wow. You go!! Actually, a friend tracked down that counterpanes book online for cover price about a year ago...
It's another comment from the other F-bag obsessed knitter. I could only find that counterpane book on bookfinder.com for $80 -- and the NY library system claims not to have it, though there is a possibility the Queens library system has it.
I think Ferregamo might have come out with a whole LINE of different knitted bags this spring. Hmm. Will keep you updated on any discoveries.
Good luck with it. I'm looking forward to watching your bag unfold.
Can I ask which yarn store you got Knitting Lace from? I'm from Rochester (and a Chicks w/ Sticks member!) and have been wanting to browse through that book.
I hope you figure this tou because that would be just too cool!
well, if anyone can figure this one out you can baby. Hey, try some japanese crafty sites. I see them all the time out in the blogshere....there might be a trail somewhere.
You are going to get there. I can see the glint in your eye. xox Kay
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