What's In the Cupboard: Gifting

I have been thinking about making market bags and have been looking at knitting patterns but I'm not sure I like the holes in knitting. I used to make bags from upholstery fabric so I started looking for my pattern. I couldn't find it but I looked over a bag I had purchased and was able to make a pattern. I had several printed pillow panels and decided to incorporate them into the design. The size of the panel ended up dictating the size of the bag, and it also strengthened the fabric of the bag. I used cardboard covered in matching fabric for a bottom panel and Bob is keeping his eye out for plastic sheeting for this purpose. The bags have sides and a bottom because I prefer it to be able to sit up when full, and yet it folds up like a grocery bag. My next idea is to make coordinating sizes to fold into one bag to carry with me to the store.

I have decided to use these bags for gifts as well. I will use each one for a gift that goes with the bag; a baby gift for Noah's Ark, a Christmas gift, etc. The smaller bag is country motif and will make a shopping bag. I am very excited now and have ideas for about a dozen of these just from stuff I have on hand. I want to make some quilt blocks for the sides as well. The bags make up pretty fast, I have finished three of them since last evening. The floral one is to be completed next.

http://www.simplicity.com/t-free-knitting-and-crochet-patterns-for-slippers.aspx

Slipper sox patterns are free at this site. You can buy the soles and I'm wondering about using some old leather I have on hand from a suede coat that has been recycled as jean patches.

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http://www.allfreeknitting.com/ml/1
I worked with my daughter-in-law, Diana and grandsons Christopher and Spencer learning how to knit on a loom last week. The link above has patterns specifically for loom knitting, among thousands of others. They have a sister site for All Free Christmas Crafts as well as Sewing. They are a great resource for hand crafts all year around.

I also found a link for a tutorial on making yarn out of old T-shirts. It is a blog that has some fun ideas.
http://mousechirpy-polkadotpineapple.blogspot.com/2008/03/tutorial-t-shirt-yarn.html

Here is a link for an ebook of baby patterns. I love the cupcake. I have to buy a second skein of yarn for a sweater I am making for Noelle so I want to make this hat to match. The yarn if Baby Jacguards Orange Blossom 16610606700