Bag ladies.

A lady's knitting bag is a very personal thing. And when the disucussion at Loops turns to knitting bags, things can get reeeeally personal. We have had quite spirited debates over size, pockets, material, price - you name it.

You may remember that, early on, we had these neat bags from a California girl named Francesca Mirabelli - very romantic name, no? - but then Francesca romantically and mysteriously disappeared - probably returned to Italy. (This is a problem with a lot of the bag suppliers in the industry - they pop up with these wonderful bag confections, then poof! they're gone.) Then we all fell in love with Offhand Designs - another California company that is nice and stable - we love their funky, vintage looks and very sturdy construction, and the way the sides snap shut to keep the contents from falling out all over the car when you take a sharp turn (or the plane when there is a Code 4 - see earlier post). Offhand is still our bag of choice, and we eagerly await their new designs each season.

They are a bit of a luxury, though, and Sherry, in particular, has crusaded for a more practical, economic option. First it was those clear vinyl bags that show off your yarn to the world. But I kept thinking about all of you who like to keep your yarn purchases on the down-low. Often, I have commented that we should offer to bag people's yarn up in Reasor's grocery bags, so when you return home, your hubby will be none the wiser. Why do you think our Loops shopping bags are frosted? ;-)

Next, Sherry suggested a certain line of very cute plastic-coated bags. But when I found one for four bucks at Tuesday Morning, I decided it just wasn't quite exclusive enough. Not to be deterred, Sherry spoke separately to each Loopy before we departed for the San Diego Show, suggesting we look at a line called Della Q. We were on the plane and Dawn said, "Oh, we've got to look at this line called Della Q for Sherry." Then Gina said, "She told me that, too!" And Ellen and Billie Anne said, "Me, too!"

"Della Q - for Sherry!" became our rallying cry as we entered the San Diego floor. Yes, they were cute, if a bit small...but the Della Q cry was soon to be eclipsed by the squeals of joy as Ellen encountered the incredible silk grommet bags from Tilli Tomas. These are the holy grail of bags...gorgeous colors, large size, grommets to pull your yarn through, separate zippered pouch for needles, large pockets...even a free little pair of collapsible scissors in their own matching pouch.



They aren't as cheap as clear vinyl, but they're silk, and about half the splurge of an Offhand...in taupe, black and green.

Now to the fun people pix...here is Gina H. in her Sally Melville linen sweater, which she is teaching this month:


And here is Rae Ann's darling daughter, in a skirt Rae Ann knit out of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, from our favorite book Barefoot Knits. Sherry will be doing a class on this in April:


Last but not least, in order to dig myself out of the hole I have dug here with Sherry, I want to plug her "Be a knitting star" class. Sherry came up with a great idea for a 9-session class, where you choose the 6 classes you want to attend. You learn to make a baby, child or adult sweater, plus tube socks and a hat, using "Star" by Classic Elite. The class was supposed to start last Thursday, but I didn't get the sign-up sheet done in time...I may never get out of the doghouse on this one, unless you all sign up! It really will be a great class, and at just $60 that's $10 per session - an awesome price for all of the knowledge that Sherry is sure to impart. Call the store for details 742-9276 or check your e-mail box for the last e-mail I sent - it had an attachment with a class flyer.
- Shelley