You want a WHAT?

No longer a doggie sweater, but--a laptop bag. In Noro Kureyon. Felted. Please.

OK. I've never made a laptop bag. Help?!

My friend Blue came to my rescue, finding a pattern in a book I happen to have. Hmmm, why didn't I think of that?

The pattern uses a chunkier yarn and larger needles. I don't really like how it's put together. It could be simpler.

So. I spent some time with the calculator--ick. Remembering that the Booga Bag pattern uses Kureyon, I used measurements from that to figure out row and stitch counts for my measurements of 12.5" wide, 9.25" tall and 1.75" deep. Then, I used 10 1/2 circs and some leftover Kureyon to knit a 1/2 size corner of the bag. Felted it. Eyed it. Made some revisions.

And here's what I came up with--
Cast on 7 stitches, knit in garter stitch until the ball of yarn is gone. (this is the strap, sides and bottom)

Go down about 6" from one end and place a marker (length of scrap yarn tucked through the edge) for the top of the side

Count 34 ridges down from the first marker and place another one to mark bottom of the side

** Count 46 ridges and place marker for bottom of opposite side (front and back panels will be picked up between this and previous marker)

Count 34 ridges and place marker for top of opposite side

Now, for the front panel--pick up and knit twisted 46 stitches (one for each ridge) marked at **, knit 68 rows in stockingnet stitch, bind off

Back panel--pick up and knit twisted 46 stitches (one for each ridge) on opposite side of ribbed strip, knit 68 rows in stockingnet stitch, bind off

With right sides together, sew edges of front and back panels to side strips from bottom corner to markers on the strap

When I get there, I will knit a placket (Is that the right word for a divided strip that a zipper will go in? [pick up stiches on inside where side strip becomes strap, knit a few rows in stockingnet, divide for center opening, and bring it back together for a few rows before attaching to the opposite side--then sewing side seams to top of bag]) to sew a zipper into.

Oh yeah, the front panel took most of a ball with a few yards left. I think I will have just enough yarn remaining from the front and back to make the zipper placket. So that's 3 balls of Kureyon (I bought 4. WOO HOO, I get to make something for me with the extra ball!).

Weave in ends and felt.

Find a zipper that works and attempt to sew it in neatly.

I haven't yet decided if I will attach the strap ends with a ring or a buckle. We shall see.

I hope this works. **crosses fingers**