I seem to have abandoned both the crochet and knitted string bags that I started. I did have fond ideas of being able to pop one into the bottom of my handbag and thus never be without a re-usable shopping bag but, whether I chose the wrong crochet cotton or was just deluded, I have come to realise that it would take up too much room in even my most capacious handbag. Pulling it out would probably result in the shop being peppered with the general handbag detritus that is bound to cling to it and become enmeshed in it.

Talking of handbags, I 've become aware of the Fake-a-Gamo, a bag based on a designer bag by Salvatore Ferragamo, which retails at over one and a half thousand dollars. You can request the pattern at Knitlit's blog and admire it on Flickr. I have resisted asking for the pattern as I have far too many half finished projects on the go, but it looks fabulous. What a good job she's made of it.