01/11/08: I wasn’t able to get all the same dye lot on my yarn. So, I’m going to use two skeins and alternate them every two rows so they will blend nicely.

01/14/08: I frogged my first attempt that I’d started on size 9 needles. Even though I got gauge in my swatch, I was over gauge in the project and it was feeling floppy. I switched to size 8 needles and now my project gauge is right on.

01/20/08: Finished with first side. I’ve been putt-putting along on this project… spending too much time on Ravelry and not knitting! But, other than that, so far so good. I’m having trouble getting good pictures, though… the colors freak out my camera.

07/05/08: I just can’t seem to get myself to work on this for some reason. I’m just not feeling the love right now.

08/08/08: Entering this project in the 2008 Ravelympics WIPs Wrestling event. I’m about 75% finished with the second side. I want it out of my hair!

08/12/08: Started working on this project again.

08/14/08: Second side finished! Now on to the gusset. That’s for tomorrow.

08/16/08: Finished the gusset in the wee hours of the morning (3am!).

The handles are next. The instructions say to knit them for 24 inches, then fold in half lengthwise and seam. I’m wondering if it would be ok to knit them in the round on dpns instead… will have to contemplate. If I do them flat as instructed, I could knit them both at once. Decisions, decisions…

08/18/08: Started the handles yesterday evening and finished them this morning.

I knit them flat, as the pattern instructs, and did them both at once. I decided that fiddling with 10 stitches on dpns is probably just as much of a pain as seaming the handles. Plus, I was worried that knitting them in the round would make them way too stretchy. Anyway, now on to the seaming… my favorite part. Not!

08/20/08: This thing is finished… finally!! I sewed the handles to the bag, but I took the easy way out and crochet seamed everything else. It’s a tote bag… I don’t care much if the seams are a little bulky. And, actually, I think it helps give it some structure that it otherwise wouldn’t have had.

This ended up being a really floppy tote bag. If I were doing it over, I’d knit it a bit tighter so it would hold its shape better. I’d also make the handles about four inches shorter. On the plus side, this bag is a really good size… nice and roomy. Overall, I’m happy enough with it.