The 9 most common mistakes in handbag production and how to avoid them

1. Insufficient preparation of decoration materials - priceless advice :)

Before starting the project, it is important to properly prepare the decorative material that we want to use for the production of the handbag. This is especially true for the use of cotton fabric strips. If you work with new purchased colored canvases, or you will dye light cotton canvases yourself in the desired shade, wash them before using them. It delays, yes L but trust me, you will avoid the same mistake I made as a beginner on a few of my first amazing creations. When I went to wash my handbag and rugs by hand after a few years of use, home-dyed fabrics and unfortunately, even those bought in the store, let the dark colors into lighter colors on the loops even when washing by hand. Believe me, I felt like crying... I never took the handbags again because they are ruined for me, but at the same time I couldn't throw them away because I spent a lot of time making them. L They are still a reminder to me why you should wait one day to make a handbag and wash the canvas beforehand. Washed fabrics before cutting and ironing. The fabric is nicely flat, easy to work with when cutting and the stripes are all the same width.

2. Inappropriate selection of the material of the loop hook

The loop hook is made of many materials and in different thicknesses. Steel, plastic, aluminum, wood... Be sure to try which hook material will suit you best. I admit that I personally prefer to use a lightweight aluminum hook. Thanks to its low weight, I find it pleasant and comfortable to work with. On the other hand, I threw away the steel hook after a few looped rows, because it was heavy and my wrist hurt after a while of working with it.

3. Poorly chosen canvas size

The canvas for Locker Hooking is different from the commonly known and used canvases for embroidery such as Aida, Panamka, etc. This special textile woven canvas has larger meshes, it is starched to hold its shape well. In addition, it is interwoven with blue stripes, which make it easier to count squares. Each square has 10 x 10 squares.

• Kanava size. The 1.3 has the widest meshes available on the market. This size is suitable for rugs and other items crocheted with heavier, thicker fabrics.
• Kanava size. 1.5 is traditionally used for carpet weaving. The mesh size is 1.5 square to one cm. It is suitable for looping carpets, runners, bags, handbags, pillowcases or ornaments.
• Kanava size. 2 has two squares 1 cm long. This allows you to work on more detailed ornaments. It is also excellent for smaller projects such as pads, ornaments, boxes, bags, handbags, jewelry, bracelets, accessories, etc.
• In the USA, canvas is available even more gently. It is used for clothing accessories, such as cuffs for coats, collars, etc. I don't have this one in my offer yet, but if you want, I will arrange its import and replenishment to my e-shop.

4. Unsecured canvas edges against ripping

When cutting canvas on regular and large projects, it is always necessary to add 4 rows of stitches on each side of the project. In the fourth row, bend the mesh downwards, leaving the three rows of loops folded. The canvas in these places will be "double" and loop through both of these layers. This way you secure the canvas against ripping. If you are going to make smaller irregular patterns, ornaments or various other irregularly shaped decorations, such as flowers, leaves, etc., cut the canvas exactly according to your model and generously coat the edges of the cut canvas all around with quick-drying glue and let it dry completely. This will secure the edges of these smaller projects against ripping.

5. Poorly chosen width of the decorative material for the mesh size of the canvas

An important element in the use of fabric strips and other decorative materials is also their width. This depends on the size of the canvas used and also the decorative material used. Theresa Pulido has prepared a very simple and clear table for this in her book Locking Loops. A translation of her table is given below.

If you take a wider canvas, e.g. size. 1.5 for the handbag and as a decorative material you will use a fine cloth, which you will cut or cut into only 1 cm wide stripes, instead of at least 1.5 cm wide stripes, the individual loops will not touch all the way and you will have a small gap between them. The final impression of the handbag will be good, but not perfect J You can take a look at one of my first handbag creations – Bag with ornament and designer handle. I didn't find anyone in my surroundings who would notice these imperfections or wonder about them... But I see them. So if you are a bit similar to me in perceiving the details of your work, choose the wide range of decorative materials well.

6. Pattern error when looping

You've taken the time to draw the pattern you want to use on your carpet or handbag. You start looping your pattern, and as you work, you memorize some parts of the pattern and loop them from memory. It may happen that only after a few rows, when you do not check your pattern with the pre-drawn pattern during work, you will find out that you have made a mistake in the x-rows back and thus "changed" the pattern in the best case, and "spoiled" the pattern in the worst case. In the first case, if you still like the changed pattern, you will modify it in the drawing and make the other side of the handbag the same, according to the "newly modified" pattern, and you will also be satisfied. In the second case, you will be angry with yourself because you will have to rip and loop a piece of work again. Especially if you have already finished the other side of the handbag and you can't change the pattern. So pay at least one eye a little attention to checking the looped pattern, even if you feel like you remember it... from my own experience J

7. Uneven meshes of drawn decorative materials

When looping the surfaces, it is important to pay sufficient attention to the size of the stitches pulled up onto the canvas. If you are in too much of a hurry and each pulled loop is a different size, it will show on your product and you will not like the final product. A slight difference doesn't matter, but if you have one loop of 5 mm and the other of 8 mm, these differences will be visible. Of course, unless this is intentional and part of the design you design... That is also used. Short and long loops alternate, giving the final product a dynamic look, especially if you use the finest canvas size and different types of yarns as decorative material.

8. Insufficient or no riser finishes

Understand... All the parts of the handbag are already looped and you are eager to take it and go out with it. J Hiding or sewing in the loose ends of decorative materials and locking yarns on individual parts of the handbag are a very important part of finishing work. You certainly don't want your unique designer handbag to ever rip apart. Especially if you created it as a gift for someone you really care about, whom you wanted to please and at the same time publicly boast about how amazing handbags you can make.

9. Wrong choice of pattern or looping technique

Choosing an overly complex pattern for your first project can be frustrating for beginners when looping. Start with simpler geometric patterns or stripes... they are timeless and never get boring. As looping techniques, choose the simpler ones for your first project, which are linear or spiral technique. Once you get the hang of the looping technique, gradually move on to more complex pre-drawn patterns, as well as more complex looping techniques, such as the free looping technique or stuffing patterns.

By avoiding these mistakes, you will ensure that your experience of making and then using handbags made using the looping technique will be enjoyable.