oh yes, another weekend completion of a long overdue and unfinished work-in-progress (i started this bag in march - yes, march!). of course, that's not really all that long considering the amount of knitting required for this felting endeavor, but still...it's been a project that's been lingering about in my knitting bag for far too long. (the truth is that the actual knitting has been done for some time; all that was needed was to sew/secure the strap to the top of the bag before felting - now, how silly is that?). it's interesting to note here that i find it generally takes me much longer to complete a second version of any project that i knit - does anyone else have that problem?
if you recall from my notes regarding my first felted yoga mat bag (a birthday gift for maya), my intention was to make this version (which i was making for myself) a bit wider and a bit shorter than my earlier attempt. and although it did, indeed, end up being just the right width...the finished felted result also wound up somehow being longer than the previous version (regardless of the fact that i knit them very close to the same length - not quite sure how that happened? hmm, that crazy malabrigo). but i remedied the situation by adding a drawstring to the top and, i must say, i'm really quite pleased with the end result! (ravelry notes here.)
as a matter of fact, the improvised drawstring has provided the additional benefit of not having to worry at all about how much or how often i sling this thing around - my mat is safe and secure in there! very nice...
as a point of comparison, here are both bags side by side...
each individual in their own way, and each perfect for their intended recipient (maya and i)!