My Take on the Zakka Pouch

So Taylor and I go to Chicago for Spring Break this year. We can call this adventure "The Trip that Wendy Discovers IKEA (TM)." There, I find these cool woven baskets that look like they are crocheted. As happens whenever I discover any savvy creation, I always think to myself "I can make this," opening an entirely new adventure of searching and purchasing materials to hand make "that we do not speak of."

From there I stumble on to the entire Zakka movement online. I love the simplicity of Japanese design and their take on American crafting.

Which takes me to The Fancy Tiger in Denver. There, I purchase this great bird fabric by Joel Dewberry. While there, I asked the owner about the very dense crochet stitch of the IKEA (TM) baskets and she introduced me to the linen knitting stitch. I admit it, her written instruction went right over my head and I took the instruction sheet home and studied it for a very long time; attempting it on needles...calling my mom for help...eventually the knitting gods granted me complete understanding of the linen stitch. I then begin knitting pouch bottoms at the rate of 3 or 4 a week.

Next...I become obsessed with Japanese repo fabric....


This first pouch, I gave my mother.


Mixing my travel memories and fabric. The fabric on the left was purchased during one of my many trips to Denver to see my sister and the lining for the bag on the right was purchased from a small shop while visiting the French Quarter, New Orleans with Taylor and my parents.