Another busy day - not knitted much though.

First things first - Here's my latest batch of bags, two of them are still drying, but I couldn't wait to photograph them.

They're all my own patterns and all knitted in Cascade. This is my first lot of bags knitted in Cascade 220 and although I like the wool, I do seem to be having problems with felting them. Have tried various combination of 40 and 60 washes, but the red one, which I felted this morning I ended up doing a 60 wash and it had hardly felted at so I chucked it back in machine on a 95 wash. That finally felted it properly. The others were done on either one 40 and one 60 wash or two 60washes. May try putting it straight on a 95 wash next time. Don't really want to wash it twice.

Anyone else felted with Cascade 220? If you've got any tips for felting them please let me know. Another problem I have got is that they do go a bit creased although I normally only do a 500 spin or no spin at all (take a long time to dry though if you don't spin it). Have also ironed them but still slightly uneven felting and slightly creased.

Also experimenting with finding a way of water or at least shower proofing my bags. Have tried Scotch guard for fabrics on the green one and it didn't change the colour and the bag didn't get wet when I sprayed it with a water spray. Wouldn't stand up to rain though I don't think. Anyone got any tips on water proofing knitting please let me know.

The green bag was for a friend but slightly smaller than she wants, so going to knit another one and keep the green one for myself. Perfect size for me and I love the colour!!!Fab for summer and I put a long i-cord on so I can wear it across the body.

The green and blue bags are similar to Booga but I've written my own pattern just using the Booga shape. The blue one is the mini version and the green one is the midi version. Doing a large version for my friend. Will get all the patterns typed out properly and post the patterns on my website. The other two bags are my own design too but may need some more 'finetuning'. Got several patterns now that I want to type up properly and make available on my website.

Started another felted bag in Cascade 220 today. Got about half a skein each of the blue and pink wool left so combining them to make another small tote (like the blue one). Got some great ideas for some patterned bags today. Must get them down on paper soon before I forget. Getting ideas quicker than I can knit at the moment. The new bag takes a bit of concentrating so started a stole in Sirdar Firefly too as it's something i can just knit without having to look at it or concentrate.

Anyone included novelty yarns in their felting? I've tried one or two I've bought on Ebay with no luck. Got los of novelty yarns lying around so thought I may do some swatches soon. Will post results on here when I get them done.

Not knitted much today as I went shopping in Plymouth (and I didn't buy any wool!!!!) Just some stuff for our holidays in a few weeks and some stuff for the girls. Took much longer than I had thought and I was shattered when I got home and in a lot of pain (back and neck). Planning a relaxing evening. Goodnight and take care!!!!

Got an order for another bag yesterday. It was one I'd just started knitting for myself but never mind. Over half way with it now. May have to get some more wool to finish it though. What a shame!!! Will post a picture of the bag once it's finished. I'm doing my own version of the Booga bag, making it a bit bigger and changing the design slightly to make it more structured. Also knitting it in cascade 220. Felted a bag in Cascade 220 a couple of days ago on 40 degree wash, definitely didn't felt enough. So will have to do it again. If you have used Cascade 220 for felting please let me know what wash you felt it on.

Nearly 8 am now, and I'd better get showered and dressed and wake the rest of the house up as we're off to church at 9.30, been up for 1.5 hours as I couldn't stay in bed due to severe neck pain and head ache. Came down to knit but got distracted by the laptop and have spent ages browsing knitting forums and websites.

Anyone heard of www.garnstudio.com or www.scandinavianknitting.com? Please send me your comments about these companies if you've done business from them. Never heard of them before yesterday and would love to get your views.

Hopefully back to post some photos later.

What a busy day.

Been rushed off my feet today and suffering now. Did a party this morning with a friend who sells Phoenix cards. I did my knitted handbags and some Avon bargain stuff. Sold two handbags, so well chuffed and a bit of Avon. Had a quick break and then picked my girls up from school. My oldest one has been away for a residential trip with her class. It's great to have her home again and she had a good time while away. Then cake decorating and helping my youngest daughter to do a table decoration for her Hostess Badge for Brownies tonight. We baked the cake a couple of days ago. She had to do all the work herself and she did most of it. Now I'm just off to chuck a pizza in the oven as I'm too tired to do anything else, then it's off to a Brownie Talent Show, where youngest daughter is playing keyboard and showing off her cake and table decs. No time for knitting today. Desperate to finish another felted bag. Not got much left. Will have to make up the knitting time over the weekend. Got an order foranother bag too if I can get hold of the wool which I'm hoping to buy from The Natural Dye Studio on Ebay, which is great shop with beautiful hand-dyed wool. Any comments please let me know.

Yeah, it worked.

Can't believe it actually worked this time. I'm getting better at this. Shame I couldn't host it on my website but I can put the website link on here. My website is www.anniknits.co.uk and all my hand knitted handbags, scarves, shawls and cushions are for sale there. Go and have a look and save it in your favourited as I add to it regularly. Hoping to sell my knitting patterns on there too soon.

I'm off again to try to work out how to post photos.

Wonder if this has really worked.

My first attempt at blogging. Just tried to get one hosted on my website, www.anniknits.co.uk, but couldn't work it out. It didn't actually show up. So trying this now. Let's see if it's worked.