This tote has been waiting for blocking mats for many many years. I think 2014 is the year to finish.

4-2-14 -- Officially blocking today! Now I need to go find the book….

5-22-14 am -- So close to finishing. Just the handles to attach after I go get some heavy duty thread.

This will be the heaviest purse ever. Yes, it’s lined with fabric and has plastic cross stitch backing (?) but that is not the bulk of the weight. The purse was heavy BEFORE I added the structure. Wow. And it’s still not as structured as I imagined in the beginning. Running out to get the thread and I might just use this purse tomorrow (if I train first).

5-22-14 pm -- IT. IS. DONE. I’m very happy with how I attached the handles. I couldn’t find waxed heavy duty thread at the fabric store (even though they carry leather patches/soles) so I found thin hemp cording and it gave me the effect for which I was going. Yay! I’ll use my new tote tonight!

All in all it is a satisfying project. I see other projects that attached the bottom and side strip as per the pattern and I like that better. I started to do that but the edge was too raw for my taste. I could possibly have used a lighter color and it wouldn’t have bothered me. Alas, it would have given a boxier look which is what I wanted but oh well. I’m not going back and I’m not knitting this again.