nine bags to sew

1. Go Anywhere bag // from Noodlehead
2. Pleated, lined handbag // from Warehouse Fabrics Inc.
3. Buttercup bag // from Made By Rae
4. Messenger bag // from no time to sew
5. 241 tote // from Noodlehead
6. Braided Belt messenger bag // from Cold Hands Warm Heart
7. Two Tone fabric totes // from Make It and Love It
8. Phoebe bag // from artsy-crafty babe
9. Cargo Duffle Pattern for Robert Kaufman // from Noodlehead

I love bags. I put everything in bags. I put my bags in bags. I also love to sew. I do it very rarely and I am not very good at it at all. But practice makes perfect (or so they say....) so this year I would really like to sew more and practice those skills! These are nine bags that I really like and would love to try my hand at. If you couldn't tell, I am also really fond of Anna's designs (Noodlehead).

One of the reasons I don't sew very much is because, as I said, I am not very good at it and I find it disappointing and discouraging to finish a project, step back, take a look, and find it uneven or lumpy with crooked seams and hemlines. But every new bag is a chance at practice and a project you will be happy with, so I am going to try sewing all these so that by this time next year every project I pick up I can sew with the confidence that when I step back to take that look I will be pleased with what I see.

nine things to knit

1. paulie by Isabell Kraemer (photo © Isabell Kraemer)
2. Anemoi Mittens by Eunny Jang (photo © AnAbundanceOfLisa)
3. Bears Rainbow Blanket by Purl Soho (photo © Purl Soho)
4. Mystery + Manners by SpillyJane (photo © SpillyJane)
5. Podster Gloves by Glenna C. (photo © Glenna C.)
6. Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by tante ehm (photo © kararstanley)
7. Emmanuelle Sweater by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark (photo © Knitscene/Harper Point)
8. First Snow Mittens by Aet Terasmaa (photo © Aet Terasmaa)
9. Whippoorwill by Carina Spencer (photo © Carina Spencer)

I admit, I tend to drift towards mittens. I still wear the pair I made five years ago pretty religiously (except for that one winter two years ago when I thought I lost them!), so it is kind of odd for me to make so many. But I just love them! I love the process of knitting mittens and I also know that I will wear them when I am done because they always turn out. Not to mention, I have yet to meet a person who doesn't love a pair of homemade mittens as a gift.

This year I want to do more sweaters. And failing that, at least one. I am just terrified I will spend the money and dedicate the time and in the end I will produce something that doesn't fit and looks awful. But then again...