A lady I know offered me a handwoven wallhanging and sweater from her visit to Peru made with alpaca wool. She decided she didn't want them, but didn't want to throw them away. Of course, she offered it to me saying that she knows I would find something great to do with them, but if I wasn't interested I could dispose of them. Dispose of them? That's not an easy thing for me. Would I try to make mittens, a bag or purse? I hated to cut them up.
Folding the wallhanging in half it looked pretty awesome as a bag. So bag it is.
Sewing up the sides and lining was a snap. Next came the handles. Webbing was to industrial looking. I tried fabric handles, which was okay - maybe it was the color or lack of color. Then I had this brainstorm. Previously, I purchased a rope dog chew toy. The multi-colored threads and the tassels on the ends added that homemade look and the multi-colors are like the pattern in the bag. What the heck. If I didn't like it I could easily replace it. I hope the weaver of this piece would be pleased with my repurposing. They might have had a more unique handle, but this is working for me. If the lady that gave me this wallhanging really loves it as a bag, I might give it to her. And then again, I might not. I'm loving it too much right now!
Next came the sweater. The off-white alpaca wool is very soft and fuzzy. It's winter, the season for wool - I will be carrying this bag around everywhere, so mittens are a perfect companion. In fact, I easily was able to make two pair. The sweater had knitted covered buttons that I embellished the mittens with. Maybe the extra mittens will be easier to give away. These mittens are so warm - let the cold wind blow!
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