The color in the bottom photo is the most true.

6/12 Swatched with size 6 needles, off 1”. Went down a size and gauge is close but not right on. Don’t want to go any smaller because of the yarn.

6/15 Band is halfway completed. Length is right on, width is almost 3.5” rather than 3”.

6/18 Picked up the 144 stitches. Had to pick up (2) stitches for each selvage stitch. I picked up the first stitch through both edges of the “v” and picked up the 2nd from the front edge of the “v.”

6/21 Bag is knit. A little “bell” shaped. Hoping it will block out. Used a combo of kitchener and garter grafting to graft the bottom. Made sure to do the set up stitches when switching between each set knit and purl stitches. There may be an easier way - but after “surfing” for a while I didn’t find a less complicated way.

Excellent Tutorial on Braiding Four Strands: YouTube

6/28 Strap made, on the blocking mats, lining bought.

8/20/12 Finally lined. Hooray!