Shoulder Bag, red and yellow speckled: Finished

I do so enjoy finishing a project! Maybe I'm finished making shoulder bags - for a while! Right now, I can't think of a store which uses bags for customers of a color I haven't crocheted into a shoulder bag. That's good, because I have so many other things I'd like to make.
This week, my daughter and other family members are on RAGBRAI (the Register's annual great bicycle ride across Iowa). I've been frantically making scrubbies for them to give to the lady of the house each night when they park their RV in a different yard across Iowa. They left Saturday, so now my question is: "What project do I finish next?"

 Maybe another baby blanket. I have a niece who is past her due date.

 Maybe another coaster to match a month's doily.

I'd like to finish this afghan, but it's just too 

Hot!!

I vote for the baby blanket.

Lark's Head Stitch, Fringe

I don't make a lot of fringe. I put some on a shawl in the late 70's, and it tangled so much that I don't wear that shawl often.
This is not really a crochet stitch. I think of it more as a latch hook stitch.
I do occasionally use it to put trims on smaller items.

 These zebra striped slippers for my nephews needed a mane.

These slippers for my sister are cuter as fuzzy "animals". I glued on eyes and made small ears before putting on the fringe, which covered them.
Very simply, I cut yarn to 3" lengths. If you want longer fringe, cut longer strips. The knot will take up some of the length. Fold the yarn in half. Put your hook behind the post of the selected stitch. Pull the fold of the yarn part-way through. Catch the ends and pull through the loop. Pull on the ends until they are tight. You may want to trim after all the fringe is on to get it even.
I'll also be using this to put a mane on the donkey for my Nativity sets.

Red and Yellow Speckled Shopping Bag: Finished

Maybe I start so many projects because it feels so good to finish one. Maybe not. I just have too many ideas. I also have lots of these bags left. They're not even all cut and tied, but I can still see that I have more than enough to make a shoulder bag. So, of course, I've started one!
This bag is almost big enough to be a beach bag. 7 1/2 x 15 x 13 with 25" handles. I took it shopping to the grocery store where Mom got the plastic bags. The cashier and bagger were fascinated. So, we had quite a discussion about crocheting with plarn.
This past weekend, Mom and I went to visit family. My cousin's son in law is a fan of the university whose colors are in the bag. He liked it.
I'll eventually have shoulder bags of many different schools' colors. The shopping bags take too long and use so many bags, that I doubt I'll need to make many more of them.

Pending to WIP to finished

I had a shoulder bag and shopping bag pending while waiting for more bags. My mom was saving bags from two different stores for them. I just needed a few more for the shoulder bag. When I need fewer than 10 bags to finish a project, it goes quickly. It's still satisfying to finish. Now I have a lovely white with green specks shoulder bag.
The shopping bag needed lots more. The bags made a huge pile in my living room. I'll be cutting and rolling for a long time! This is a big bag. 7 1/2" x 15" x 13", with 25" straps 15 stitches wide. Mom doesn't like such wide straps. She says they're too wide to hold. I say they fold and bunch up in my hand and feel fine to hold. Plus, I think they're stronger. I finally started the first handle, so the end is in sight. I think there may be enough bags to make a shoulder bag as well! These will be white with red and yellow specks.
There's always another project I want to make!