the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

Let’s Have A Look At A Bag

by 11 Comments

We haven’t had a product review for a while, have we? (Other than books.) Let’s remedy that.

(Also, your comments on the previous post have left me wishing that I had tried that door.)

So. I was contacted by a company called Adore Haberdashery, because they were struggling to contain their excitement about a knitting/crochet bag that they’ve begun to stock. Given that I view walking to places as valuable knitting-time, this definitely sounded interesting. (I’m usually the woman you see wandering through the village knitting from a tatty old cotton tote bag, because my already low levels of shame sink further still when yarn is involved.) Adore offered to send me a sample for review.

Shall we have some introductions?

To the casual observer, this looks like an ordinary shoulder bag with a pretty, contrast lining. But you’re not a casual observer, are you? Because you understand the need for yarn.

To the knitter or crocheter, this, my friend, is a large project-on-the-go bag. Or even a project-sitting-beside-the-sofa-at-home bag. Gah, I’m beginning to sound like an advert. Why does this always happen?

Let’s stick to facts. It’s large. You could easily fit your jumper or cardigan-in-progress with its yarn in here, or possibly even a smallish afghan. And if your WIP is nowt more than a sock, then you’ll be able to carry it along with your book, your phone, your pineapple, and your stuffed badger. (What? Why are you looking at me like that?)

The thing that makes it definitely a yarniac’s bag is a pair of holes:-

Thread your yarn through one of these, and you’ll be able to comfortably knit, and walk, and knit, and walk. Thread a different yarn through each hole and you’ll be able to knit Fair Isle on your commute to work,* although in that case you might need to rig up some kind of selfie stick to hold the pattern chart aloft in front of you.

Seriously, though, the holes are smooth-edged, and are a useful design feature.

There are pockets, on the outside…

…And one tall thin one on the inside, for straight knitting needles. I’ve no idea why the needles in the picture below look as though they were badly Photoshopped into place, because they were definitely very much there when I took the photo. Weird.

I’ve spent the past few weeks thoroughly road-testing this bag as I walked around the village.

And as a treat for good behaviour, I even took it to pub knit-night. Let’s start with the things that I liked:-

  • It seems extremely well-made, inside and out, from high-quality, sturdy, fabric. The seams and workmanship are immaculate.
  • It’s spacious. Seriously. Yet somehow, it doesn’t look as though you’re lugging around some ginormous sack.
  • It’s stylish, non-twee, and non-cutesy. Works for me. I love the lining. In fact, you could almost use it reversed:-

  • The large outer pocket is handy.

And here are a couple of things that made me go ‘Hmm…’, because I’m a nit-picky old yarn-weasel:-

  • The yarn holes are useful, but once you’ve started knitting through them, you’ll have to carry on until you’ve finished your ball of wool, unless you’re prepared to cut and rejoin. OK, this is right up there with ‘I sneezed’ in terms of life problems, but it’s worth mentioning.
  • The pockets are great… but they could be greater. These five slim outer pockets are ideal for needles, specifically straights, and you can carry the slimmer sorts of crochet hooks in them too, but chunky-handled hooks or interchangeable needles are a no-no.
  • The tall thin inner pocket is perfect for straight needles, but as someone who almost always uses interchangeables, or DPNs, or crochet hooks, the only things I can think of using it for are:-
  1. A nostepinne, which is at least yarn-related. I don’t own a nostepinne.
  2. Spaghetti. I do at least own some spaghetti, although I rarely knit with the stuff, especially when it’s raw.

…which is a shame, because it’s an otherwise tidy little storage-zone. Maybe a split half-way up would enable you to pop a pen or a crochet hook in there and be able to get it out again, whilst still having the benefit of the full height if you want to carry straights (or spaghetti).

So let’s sum up. You’ll love this bag if:-

  • You knit with straights.
  • Style matters, and cute brings you out in an unsightly rash.
  • You need space, man, and lots of it. The stuff you knit is big.

You’ll maybe feel less keen if:-

  • You’re a crocheter who uses chunky-handled hooks. You knit with interchangeables. You are obsessed with knitting teeny things like socks.

Your call.

The bag is priced at £35, including free delivery, and they ship worldwide. Interested? Go take a look HERE.

 

∗ Do not attempt this if your commute involves driving a car. (Your tension will be rubbish.)

Comments

  1. Seems like you gave this bag a very decent and unbiased review! I don’t think I would use those holes for yarn, for the reason you state: your yarn has to stay in the bag until you’re ready to cut it. Otherwise it looks very well made and attractive.

    Reply

  2. You’re such a good reviewer. I felt like you were telling me this over a cuppa. I can’t fathom your talents: walking while knitting. Walking while knitting with more that one yarn. Walking, knitting, crocheting, TV appearances and mama to twin boys. All that before we get to your day job. I’m most impressed.

    Oh and yes, the bag is adorable.

    Reply

  3. I do like the bag. It’s reversible, has some pockets, and isn’t so big it would become the big hole collector that totes tend to become. Also, it doesn’t look to “yarny” and so it goes places better. I share your gripes with it also, though I’d take one as a gift. Like you the “yarn holes” would end up with something else clipped to them. One suggestion for the too skinny pockets are to pick the thread out of one or two and end up 3 wider pockets. The solution for the long inside pockets (I haven’t used straight needles in years either) is to somehow shorten it. I’d also figure out a way to close the top so that stuff doesn’t fall out as easily.

    A two-at-a-time sock size version would be nice if someone can figure out how to make a bag that is more resistant to sock needles making holes in project bags.

    Reply

  4. I wonder how safe it would be if you slip in mud and go a… over t… with those needles stuck out, and my first thought was having that yarn linked to the bag through the hole, you couldn’t take it out at home. But if you knit on the go I can see the appeal, but not at that price. Not for me though. Neat review.

    Reply

  5. It’s a gorgeous bag but you’re right, I wouldn’t use the yarn holes for the same reason I don’t like those yarny ‘life hacks’ that claim that a teapot makes a good yarn bowl – they do, but only if you’re happy to have a teapot attached to your work until you reach the end of your ball!

    Reply

  6. Thanks for the review. I think you’ve been very fair. If you’re feeding back to the manufacturer I’d add to the wish list a zipped pocket for my purse (credit card for essential yarn purchases and coins for a coffee) and another pocket for feminine little essentials I dare not leave home without having reached the age of unpredictability. Like another commentator above, I would use the metal eyelets to attach my scissors to.

    Reply

  8. I’ve seen bags with yarn holes often before but never had I worked out that of course once the yarn is on the go you’re knitting through the bag until you snip or finish! Not appealing!

    I like what I’ve heard others say they do: use an inexpensive zip lock bag with the corner cut off for the yarn to thread through. It keeps it clean and from rolling away. Then I guess when you’re ready to knit at home etc, you can just throw the bag away without too much hasstle.

    Reply

  10. Good, informative review! I wouldn’t use the grommet holes for the very reason you stated. One thing you didn’t mention, which I always look at first, is if the sides of the bag are stiff enough to always stand up and not fold over. Nothing annoys me more than having my knitting bag in a puddle at my feet when I’m sitting and knitting.

    Reply

  11. I agree with the above. Very non-cutesie. Reversible is a plus. I would probably end up using it for multiple smaller projects, so the outside individual pockets seem perfect to me, to keep track of multiple spare hooks. I also am likely to have a pen or pencil with me at all times; see pervious comments. I despise straight needles. I would likely use the sleeve for spare folded copies of my pattern, maps, umbrella, other flotsam and jetsam I end up carrying. I like the full height for bigger/longer items; I might end up stuffing mittens and a hat in there, depending on size. A zippered pocket would be nice, but not a deal breaker. I’d probably hook things on the grommets that I didn’t want to have migrate to the bottom, like car keys, wallet, etc. Stiff sides are Wonderful! (agreed Peita)

    I love your product reviews. I end up giggling over the description and drooling over the product.

    Reply

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