I love Country Living magazine. The pictures, the ideas, the articles. Love it, Love it, Love it!
The "make me over" article in the January issue is for a sweater purse. You turn an old sweater into a purse. I tried it. It was super easy and cheap. For the entire instructions BUY THE MAGAZINE. I bought the sweater for $3 at a second hand shop. It didn't felt as well as I would have liked and I ended up having to do a running stitch along all the edges. But even with that it only took me 2 days of working at it sporadically. I added the closure strap and the pocket.
One of the things I thought of for next years Christmas presents was hand made bags. I think these will fit the bill quite well. People can use them for a knitting bag, to carry library books, groceries, as a real purse, lunch bags, even make a tall narrow one for wine. I can also use them as gift bags. Put a handmade candle selection, jelly, bath products, or a book in it and "here ya go".
So lets have some fun and keep those ugly, itchy sweaters out of the dump and make some handmade Christmas.
PS, My mother liked the bag so much I gave it to her. Now I'll have to make another for myself. Oh well.
