A bio on one of my knit felt handbags. Upcycled to say the least!

This was an interesting purse.

All of this holding two strands of wool yarn together, even when adding the multicolor yarn for the center stripe.

First of all I knit the base nearly twice as long as the coco bag free pattern (see pattern: COCO Bag pattern) 5 rounds on circular needles, then knit them back into the base in a "Tuck" pattern to give the base the extra rib.

Once I had the base completed, I knit in the round bringing up the sides. Explained in Coco pattern.
Then I started knitting around on circular needles but about every 10 rounds I decreased 2 stitches just before the turn and just after the turn on both ends. (that's 8 decreases - knit 2 stitches together x2, at each corner.

Then I started adding sock yarn once I determined I was about 1/3 done with the height of the bag - remember the bag will shrink in felting by 30% in height and 25% in width when washed in hot and cold water.

At this point I knit and continue to decrease by 8 stitches about every 10 rows, but keep bringing in the additional 3rd strand of a multicolor sock yarn.  I drop the sock yarn and finish the last 1/3 with two strands of original color, end bag with an I-cord finish.  knithelp.com explains this method.

The sock yarn???  Leftovers from my granddaughter's hoodie, SAIGE from Berroco.

I took the yarns to my weaving loom, dressed my loom and handwove the strap and attached it with some rings from an old belt.  Added a big button and a crochet loop to latch the purse.

The solid deep green yarn I bought off of Etsy.com from a lady who upcycles wool sweaters back to yarn.  AWESOME.

Finishing touch - braided my fringe on the strap.  That is a really fun technique.