Slow going

Hello there,

I've just finished this bag - and boy, did it seem to take ages! It's done in Waistcoat Stitch  (also called split single crochet in US terms). This involves putting the hook through the 'v' of the stitch rather than under the loops at the top of the stitch and so you're always having to push and force the hook a little bit, so it's not at all relaxing and rythmical like the usual crocheting is.

It does give an interesting effect though, and because the stitches are all lined up underneath each other rather than alternating it makes a very firm and non-stretchy piece of material - good for a bag.

I made it from the Limited Edition Pack of half-size balls of Stylecraft's 10 new colours - hence the very bold (garish?) colour selection. It looks like some kind of bonkers tweed designed by Kaffe Fasset on drugs!

I made the handles by crocheting a tube and feeding piping cord through it to give robustness.

I'm trying to decide whether to line the bag or not - I suppose I should, but at the moment I've Had Enough of it, so it's been put to one side until I feel more kindly disposed towards it.