My first Japanese pattern success!

I've had this book for over a year now:


I bought it when I first started to learn how to read stitch diagrams for crochet. Looking back, I understand now that I was so full of myself then. LOL. When I got home, I realized that I couldn't understand any of it. I mean, I understand the stitches well enough, and could make good guesses about what kind of yarns and hooks would work for the projects. But. And this is a very big BUT. (That last sentence reminds me of a song... I like big... hmm. :D) I couldn't make heads or tails of the construction of the projects! Which is of course the most important part of the whole thing.

So it stood on my bookshelf. Not forgotten, though. From time to time I would pick it up, in the hope that my brain rewired itself somehow.

Well. I decided I needed a tote to carry my current WIP. Something not too big and not too small... I picked up the darned book again, and something just... Clicked. :)



And so, without further ado... I give you... My first ever Japanese pattern success!




Ok fine, so the construction is simple. It was designed for the body to be made in one piece, and the straps attached after that. But I patted myself on the back when I thought of a way to incorporate the handles into the pattern, to make it sturdier (and not to have too many ends to weave in!). I also finished it off with a crab stitch to make the last round sturdier. And I didn't sew or glue that ribbon. I tied it around a stitch. So simply stupid and lazy, it's ingenious. Yay, me! :D

Thank God the stitches are snug enough to not need a lining. :D

I'll use this to carry around my WIP's. Here's a sneak peek of my current project:

Happy weekend everyone!