June 7: This has been sitting around for 6 weeks or so, waiting for me to make the handles. I wasn’t able to buy the ones specified in the pattern, so I made my own from some linen and cotton quilt batting. The handles are a little long, but I like them that way, as I prefer shoulder bags to totes. Glad to finally called it finished.

I wish the felting had been a little more even, but it’s not bad for a first attempt. I can live with this.

March 26: I had to set this aside for a couple weeks, to make a onesie for my best friend’s new baby. Now that that’s finished, I can go back to this big-needle project.

I was humming along, excited that I was nearly finished with the intarsia. Then I took some photos. I made a mistake. Seven inches ago. I’m not going back to fix it. I think I’ll consider it one of the quirks of a handknit item. It gives it character. That’s what I’m telling myself. In a perfect world, I’ll be the only one who notices.

August 2011: Entered in State Fair, no ribbon, no surprise.