Process: This bag was knitted according to the pattern instructions, then felted in a top loading washing machine. The bag was then stuffed with a box wrapped in towels to dry. The cords for the handles were inserted in the buttonhole openings and tied while still wet. The leaf is my original idea.
The leaf pattern came from an actual Big Leaf Maple leaf from the Pacific North West – this is it’s exact size! I photocopied the leaf, arranged it on the bag, and then outlined the edge with handspun Targhee that was one of my first spun yarns. Once I had an outline, I “painted” the leaf with dyed roving using felting needles. Some of these colors were natural dyes, hand dyed by me – walnut and cochineal.
Equipment Used: 24 inch Circular Needles, Bamboo, Size 11. Double points, size 11. Felting needles.
Design/pattern/source: Pattern- Oregon Tote by Janet Scanlon. Leaf design inspired by the Almighty Creator.
Materials: Yarn, Patton’s Classic Wool Merino. Brown and Green, approximately 700 yards total. Assorted colors of dyed rovings. There are 7-10 different colors used in the leaf design.