I have just taken on a commission and I don't usually do that. In the past I have found myself spending a lot of time working on a project that I do not like which may or may not be going well. There is usually a dead line, and that does not suit me either as my work has to fit in with the rest of my life and I can't always spend my time as I would like. Luckily the client has always liked the finished article.
This time is a bit different as the client has supplied the wool from her own sheep, a flock of Jacobs in our village. I helped on shearing day and know the sheep personally. I love that. The wool is lovely to work with and I have made a similar jumper before so I know that I will enjoy doing it.
Jacobs are a medium size sheep, brown and white with two or sometimes four horns. Easy to look after and very friendly. Two colours in the fleece make for supper patterns in the finished yarn.
I knitted this bag from odds and ends that I had in my stash of hand spun wool. It came out better than I expected and I really love it.
I have lined it and added pockets inside as well as a zip for security as I will use this bag a lot and I want it to be practical.
The pattern is adapted from a jumper. Greys and browns are natural colours,pink is jacob dyed with madder, yellow is onion skins, the green is dyed with cow parsley with a copper modifyer and there is comercaily dyed silk.
The handle was made on weaving sticks and I did not like it at first because it was to loose so I put it in the washing machine to felt it and it was much better.
