Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 2 of 2

Mid-way through felting...

                                          ...the tote is turned right-side out...

                                      ...and a 'U'-shaped slit is cut into each side...

                                                         ...to form a handle.

                                                           During felting...

                             ...the knitted heart has 'become one' with the pre-felt...

                          ...and the silk and wool yarn has melted into the bag beautifully.

                                                   The finished tote (side one)...

                                     ...and a close-up of the felted heart.

                                           Side two with its 'thumbprint' stitching...

                           ...and a closer look at the variegated yarn colourway.

                                       I like that there's a small shock of green...

                                ...when you catch a glimpse of the bag's interior...

                                           ...and the multicolored dots of yarn...

                                                     ...really make me smile.

                                         Next time: the first of two tote projects...

                         ...which were actually made right-side out for a change!! :)

Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 1 of 2

Cutting two layers of commercial pre-felt...

...into the shape of my resist...

                         ...then removing a heart-shaped section from one of them.

                          Using a piece of a discarded, open-weave knit sweater...

                               ...and a length of variegated wool and silk blend yarn...

                                ...I pin a 'sweater insert' to the opening in the pre-felt...

                                         ...and carefully stitch it into place.

                                                 The back side (with knots).


                                             
   
                                                On the second piece of pre-felt...

                                               ...more variegated yarn is used...

                                           ...to gently stitch a motif into the felt.

The finished design elements (front sides)...

                                                            ...and backs.

                                   Placing the 'good side' face down on the resist...

                                       ...covering it with a layer of wool roving...

                                           ...and flipping the project to side two.

                                   After repeating the process with the heart piece...

                                  ...layers of wool roving are added to the project...

                                       ...the tote top is turned down for neatness...

                                                       ...and felting is begun.

                                               Next time: the finished tote.