Progress on all fronts - my first French Market Bag is done and there are now gifts wrapped and under my tree. If only the tree was actually decorated - that will have to wait for tomorrow, when Robyn arrives with our decorations, which are currently in a box in Adelaide.

Pattern: French Market Bag
Yarn: Cold Harbour Mill Aran in Devon Green (MC) and Tartan Green (CC)
Needles: 7mm DPNs, 7mm Addi Turbos

That is today’s photo and I can now say I am happy with the result. Below is a photo I took yesterday straight after removing it from my makeshift blocking device. I was not happy with the result, the sides puckered dramatically under the handles, my blocking object had been a bit too tall and left slight dents in the handles and I was worried I should have blocked it to have a slightly narrower base and taller sides. The light yesterday really accentuated all of these problems.

What happened between today and yesterday? Well I left it out in the sun to ensure it was well and truly dry and went to the beach. Then a thunder storm happened. And rain. And hail. The storm was of the dramatic, but short and sweet summer variety, so the bag was left damp but not sodden. I set it to dry over a slightly smaller and softer shaped blocking device and today the bag was basically the same and yet much improved.

I was worried about the bag loosing it’s shape and going all saggy so the finishing touch was to cut a square of plastic (aka Ikea flexible chopping board) and cover it in matching fabric. The base will definitely help the bag hold it’s shape but it is flexible enough to move with the bag and not damage the felt by cutting in at the edges.

And finally one last perspective shot - this is Isabelle’s interpretation of “stand by the fence and face me”.