Baby got a brand new bag!

Ever since I took up knitting the carry bag has been a bit problematic. I've looked at a number of bags advertised online, but none of them appealed to me, or they were simply too expensive and I'd rather invest in yarn! So it was with great interest that a few months ago while knitting with friends at the local cafe, I spotted a new knitting bag on Stew (Mike). After he demonstrated all its unique characteristics, I knew I had to own one. This bag, oh, this bag caught my fancy big time.

And so when I sat down to write out my Dear Santa list, I had only one wish: a Tom Bihn Knitting Bag. Boy, am I pleased with Santa!

From Seattle, Mr. Bihn manufactures a number of really nice products, all super well designed using sturdy construction. As the story goes, he entered a contest of sorts, sponsored by Knitty.com, to design a bag suitable for knitters. He hit the ball out of the park!

My bag is purple on one side, black on the other. It's a cordura nylon fabric, so it's going to withstand the rigors of urban travel. It's lined with rip-stop nylon which means it can take a beating inside as well. The seams look like they can take lots of stress - great for excessive yarn shopping!

There are clear plastic zip pockets on each side and little loops and attached clips. And it came with a removable project bag, also made of rip-stop and a clear plastic bottom (to see what's inside without having to open it!), and an attached yarn tab to help guide your yarn, reducing tangles. The project bag can clip to either end on the inside, so no matter which shoulder you carry the bag, your knitting is always up front and close. Smart!

But the real benefits of the bag are realized out in the field. Its padded handles reduce stress on the hands. Best of all, this bag does not slip off my shoulders! I have yet to own any bag that doesn't slip, something that I find super annoying. Not this bag. It stays put even when jostled. How's that for an endorsement! The bag's low profile won't jab people in the ribs when getting on and off the train. And it can also carry lunch and other shopping errands at the end of the day. No more multiple bags. Yay!!

While it's not cheap, it won't break the bank. I feel like my projects have been elevated to a new level. No more zip lock Hefty bags jammed into my laptop case. Or shoved into my pocketbook. As far as tools go, this one looks to be a real winner.