Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along || Felted Weekender Bag

A new make-along is ready just in time for the change of the weather and travel for the holidays. Time for the Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along Felted Weekender Bag for both Knitters and Crocheters!

I’ve always been in love with felting techniques. There is something magical about creating a thick and large fabric then applying heat and agitation so it shrinks on purpose into something WONDERFUL!

Many new knitters and new crocheters ventured into the craft over the pandemic as a way to soothe their mind and soul. But now that we are a few years out of the lockdown, these new crafters are looking for something more than the same old, same old.

Enter the inaugural Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along where you get to make a larger Weekender Bag!

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Is the Make-Along a Free Event?

This is a free make-along and will remain free until the end of Nov. 2022.

After that, the pattern will only be available as a paid pdf.

Sounds Great, What are We Making Again?

So traditionally, when it is a mystery make-along it is truly a mystery from start to finish. This one is slightly different in that I want you to know what the final project is so that you can be as excited as I am about the project! The mystery is that you still don’t have any idea what it looks like.

We are making a large felted Weekender Bag. I fell in love with this type of bag many years ago and using the felted technique on the fabric makes for a WONDERFUL accessory piece.

Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along Felted Weekender Info

This felted weekender bag make-along is a 4 week event that will walk you through how to make a beautiful stranded knit or crochet felted weekender bag you can take with you on your travels.

• Learn how to read a color chart
• Learn how to work with 3 colors on one row
• Learn how to add pockets to the inside
• Learn how to felt wool fabric in a washing machine
• Learn how to make 3 i-cord braided bag handles

Each week of instructions includes a video tutorial and a segment of the pattern to work along with the Marly’s Minions community (free pattern link can be found here on this blog post below).

UPGRADE TO VIP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

You can upgrade to the VIP EXPERIENCE for $23!

For the first time ever I am offering the make-along event housed in the Marly Bird House. It will be a one-stop-shop for everything you need for the First Fall Make-Along + more!

With the VIP Experience you get:

• Unlimited Access Videos to all 8 Workshops – 4 KNITand 4 CROCHET (Value $197) 
• Special Lesson on Felting with Special Project Pattern (Value $97)
• Both Knit and Crochet Printable Pattern PDF’s + Link to Interactive Chart (Value $37) 
• ‘Office Hours’ with Marly each week during the make-along, to ask questions directly about what you are making (Value $97) 

Plus, there are of course bonus items! 

⭐️Bonus⭐️ Patterns to help you advance your felting skills (Value $37)
⭐️Bonus⭐️ Bag Lining Tutorial with Lindsey of Erin.Lane Bags ⇽ first time available EVER (Value $137)

Important Dates of the First Fall Make-Along

This make-along will take place over four weeks.

Oct. 19, 2022 – Base of Bag

Oct. 26, 2022 – Body of Bag

Nov. 02, 2022 – Body of Bag Continued

Nov. 9, 2022 – Finishing and Felting

Special How to Line Class released on Nov. 16, 2022 <– VIP ONLY

How to Participate in The First Fall Make-Along Felted Weekender For Free

Again, it is important to note that the free pattern and video instructions will be removed at the end of Nov. 2022. But with the VIP Experience you get unlimited access to both and more.

• To participate in the ⭐️ Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along Felted Weekender sign up here ⭐️.
• Join the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group where we chat about the event all month long.
• Get your materials. See the list below.
• Add your project to Ravelry ➡️ Knitting ➡️ Crochet
• Mark you calendar! 
• Return to this blog on Oct. 19, 2022 to get started!
• Return to the blog throughout the event for the instructions, which you’ll find linked below.
• As you work on the project, post progress pictures on Facebook and Instagram with the tag #MBFirstFall #MarlyBird #MMMDI.

How Do I Get the Free Instructions For First Fall?

Beginning October 19, 2022, the free instructions will be added in a post here on the MarlyBird.com website (note they will only be here for a limited time but VIP Experience gets unlimited access to videos and pattern).

All of those instructions will be linked at the bottom of this post as they become available.

Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along || Felted Weekender Bag

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The Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along | Felted Crochet Weekender Bag Supply List

These are the supplies to make the crochet weekender bag the same size as the sample as well as any smaller gauge test projects.

Yarn: 100% Wool , worsted weight, 3 colors with 1300 yds each (yarn is held double throughout)

• Suggested Yarns:
  • Cascade 220 Yarn
  • Patons Classic Wool
  • Wool of the Andes Worsted
  • Wool of the Andes Tweed

NOTE: It is important to note that felting only works with animal fibers. Any wool yarns labeled “Superwash” WILL NOT FELT.

Hook: Size J (6mm) or K(6.5mm)

Notions: Stitch Markers, tapestry needle, washing machine for felting

Optional: 

• Zipper (sized to fit finished bag) *will discuss more about zippers in makealong
• Two rolled leather handles (length & style is your choice)
  • JUL handles are beautiful but a little pricey
  • Homestead Handles are beautiful and are easy to use
  • GL Leather Accessories are new to me but appear to be reasonably priced

What are the optional items?

Due to the nature of felting or fulling wool, your bag could be a little bigger or a little smaller but it will still be a wonderful weekender bag either way. For that reason, you will notice the optional supplies include a zipper but it does not specify length. That is because I think it will be easier for you to purchase a zipper after YOUR bag is complete so you are sure to get the correct size. 

There will be instructions for handles that are made of the same wool as the bag. But some people love to use leather bag handles on their bags. For that reason, I listed some fun handles that you might like. I prefer longer handles but it is completely up to you!

The Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along | Felted Knit Weekender Bag Supply List

These are the supplies to make the knit weekender bag the same size as the sample as well as any smaller gauge test projects.

Yarn: 100% Wool , worsted weight, 3 colors with 1300 yds each (yarn is held double throughout)

• Suggested Yarns:
  • Cascade 220 Yarn
  • Patons Classic Wool
  • Wool of the Andes Worsted
  • Wool of the Andes Tweed

NOTE: It is important to note that felting only works with animal fibers. Any wool yarns labeled “Superwash” WILL NOT FELT.

Needle: Size 11 (8mm) 60″ circular needle and double pointed needles 

• The length of needle is to accommodate the number of stitches on the bag once we start to work in the round. 
• A shorter length needle can be used for the base of the bag but no shorter than a 24″ is recommended
• A shorter length needle can be used for the body of the bag but no shorter than a 47″ is recommended
  • Here are some needles I like
    • Chiaogoo Size 11 (8mm) 60″ circulars (amazon)
    • Chiaogoo Size 11 (8mm) 47″ circulars (amazon)
    • Chiaogoo Size 11 (8mm) double pointed needles bamboo (amazon)
    • Addi Turbo Size 11 (8mm) 60″ circulars (amazon)
    • Addi Turbo Size 11 (8mm) 47″ circulars (amazon)
    • Knitter’s Pride double pointed needles (amazon) 
      • Note: I do not recommend Knitter’s Pride circulars for this project. I’ve had many students have their needles break mid project while using their needles. I think this is due to the weight of the bag as it is getting knit. So, I can’t in good conscience recommend them. But the DPN’s work just fine. 

Notions: Stitch Markers, tapestry needle, washing machine for felting

Optional: 

• Zipper (sized to fit finished bag) *will discuss more about zippers in makealong – Separating Jacket Zipper – https://amzn.to/3tC9RQT
• Two rolled leather handles (length & style is your choice)
  • JUL handles are beautiful but a little pricey
  • Homestead Handles are beautiful and are easy to use
  • GL Leather Accessories are new to me but appear to be reasonably priced

What are the optional items?

Due to the nature of felting or fulling wool, your bag could be a little bigger or a little smaller but it will still be a wonderful weekender bag either way. For that reason, you will notice the optional supplies include a zipper but it does not specify length. That is because I think it will be easier for you to purchase a zipper after YOUR bag is complete so you are sure to get the correct size. 

There will be instructions for handles that are made of the same wool as the bag. But some people love to use leather bag handles on their bags. For that reason, I listed some fun handles that you might like. I prefer longer handles but it is completely up to you!

Instructions for Each Week Listed Below

• Oct. 19, 2022 – Base of Bag
  • Knitting >> Click Here <<
  • Crochet >> Click Here <<
• Oct. 26, 2022 – Body of Bag
  • Knitting >> Click Here <<
  • Crochet >> Click Here <<
• Nov. 02, 2022 – Body of Bag Continued
  • Knitting >> Click Here <<
  • Crochet >> Click Here <<
• Nov. 9, 2022 – Finishing and Felting
  • Knitting >> Click Here <<
  • Crochet >> Click Here <<