Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Devin Wristlet by Namaste Inc.

 

We received an eggplant Devin Wristlet from Namaste Inc. for review. You can listen to the audio review at the end of Episode 34, or you can read my review here. I have been using Namaste products for a while, and was thrilled to give the Devin a test drive.

The first feature immediately noticeable is the beautiful color. I am a purple girl, so I chose the eggplant, but there are lots of colors to satisfy your changing moods. The PVC-free vegan faux leather is slightly textured, and doesn't have a plastic feel to it in my humble opinion. All the top-stitching was finished perfectly, without any loose stitches or threads.

Inside the Devin Wristlet, there are two main compartments, separated by a large zippered security pocket. One side of the bag hosts credit card or business card sized slots and a smaller zippered security pocket. The other side has two slot pockets sized for an iPod and/or phone.

The interior fabric is gray PET microsuede which is made from recycled plastic bottles. It feels soft to the touch and has worn well on the Namaste bag that I have been using for a few months. The gray color is an attractive neutral and useful too, as I do not care for either dark or printed bag interiors, both of which make it difficult for me to see the contents of my bag. Again, the top-stitching was all finished perfectly, with no loose stitches or threads.

All three of the zippers functioned perfectly without any stickiness or loose zipper teeth. The big color-coordinated zipper that closes the bag has a nice-sized ring that you can grab easily. I found that occasionally the ring slips inside the bag and I would just poke my finger into the bag to push the zipper open without using the pull ring.

I noticed the middle security pocket is lined with a different fabric, something that seems a little more dirt resistant than the microsuede. I am guessing that this pocket would probably stand up to spot cleaning and is intended for (sometimes dirty) paper money and coins.

I think I will be using my Devin as a smaller bag to put inside of a tote when I need to carry several items like a knitting project, water bottle, etc. The Devin is the perfect size to carry in to the store or when running errands. Gayle also notes it is roomy enough to put your sunglasses in as well, making it the perfect grab-and-shop size, safely keeping credit cards, money, phone, and sunglasses in one spot.

The wrist strap is easily removable and you can always clip your keys on the external ring as well.

Overall, it is a great little bag that both of us find to be very functional, as well as pretty! Yarniac approved! :)

- Sharlene

Friday, April 19, 2013

Episode 34 - Why don't I wear this sweater?

We usually open our episodes talking about what we are wearing. What generally follows, is sharing why we are happy with our projects. This week I talk about a sweater I knit that I just don't wear. I love the yarn and in my mind I love the sweater, but for some unknown reason, I don't wear this sweater. If I don't wear it, I need to figure out a way to repurpose the yarn, or find someone who loves the sweater. But, did I mention I love the yarn? Sigh. And why do I always want to unravel the seamed sweaters? Sigh. Again.

Regular segments include:

What are we wearing?
Cable Trimmed Jacket with Hood by Lisa Myers
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Boxy

What are we stalking?
February Fitted Pullover by Amy Herzog
Hourglass Sweater by Joelle Hoverson
Estelle by Linden Down
Colors of Kauai by Hanna Maciejewska
Ruisseaux by Hanna Maciejewska
Yogini Bolero by Wendy Bernard

What are we knitting?
Dinner in the Eiffel Tower by Jessie Dodington
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Daybreak shawl by Stephen West
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Sola by Julia Trice

What have we finished?
Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos
Sharlene's Entangled Vines
Autumn's End by Alana Dakos
Gayle's Autumn's End

Oops! I mistakenly refer to Dream in Color Classy yarn as Dream in Classy.

Discussion on closures we have used includes toggles w/ knit or crocheted loops; buttons; zippers; hooks & eyes; clasps/frogs; snaps; shawl pins or removable clips; belts; and ties. Did we forget anything? Probably! Join the discussion over on Ravelry and let us know.

We also review the Devin Wristlet from Namaste Inc., which I will write about in a separate post.

- Sharlene

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Episode 33 - Spring Break

Coming to you live from spring break, Gayle and Sharlene need to record this episode in the car! There is some ambient noise, other cars driving by and some distant outside noises. It doesn't interfere with hearing what we say, but thought I should let you know what we were up to. :)

What are we wearing?
Ballet Wrap Cardigan by Katy Ryan
Sharlene's Ballet Wrap Cardigan
Fuse by Veronik Avery
Gayle's Fuse

What are we stalking?
Daybreak by Stephen West
Hedgehog knitting needle holder
Imagine When by Joji Locatelli
Ruisseaux by Hanna Maciejewska 
Marion by Andi Satterlund

What are we knitting?
Entangled Vines cardigan by Alana Dakos
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Drops Alpaca yarn
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Autumn's End by Alana Fettig
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Rustic Fingering by Neighborhood Fiber Company

What have we finished?
TGV by Susan Ashcroft
Sharlene's TGV
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Gayle's Alewives Cowl
Lucy Hat by Carina Spencer
Gayle's Lucy Hat
Poppy by Justine Turner
Gayle's Poppy

We discuss how we use a scale to weigh our yarn and how we use that information in our projects. Please don't hesitate to join our discussion group on Ravelry if you want to chat about weighing your yarn and how you use that information or anything else you've heard about on this episode.

Gayle encouraged me to share our family's recent basketball adventures. That game winning shot can be seen here. :) I didn't shoot the video so the audio you hear is one of the team dads.
 Enjoy!

- Sharlene