(Vague) Pattern: Festive Fish in a Row Bag    Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport & CotLin (6 colors total)      Needles: US #4 24" circular

Are you wondering why its called a "vague" pattern?  It's because all I've included are written guidelines on how I made it and a chart.  You get to fill in the gaps and do the detective work.  It shouldn't be too much of a challenge.  (Like how I've copped out and taken the short cut?  Hey, its free, did I mention that?)

I'll be giving this away to my niece who is visiting for the next few weeks.  Every time she visits I try to give her something I've knitted.  I don't get to see her very often since she lives in Brussels (soon to be moving to Paris, France).  For some reason, giving it away is going to be a challenge.  One reason is that I like it.  Its a cheerful little bag.  I love all of the colors together.  But it never would have happened if it weren't for the original design by Paula Levy published in the summer 1998 issue of Knitter's magazine.  Her design was of a blanket composed of 22 individually knit fishies which were sewn together during the finishing stage.  It is a bit tedious but the end result is adorable.  I took her chart and melded two fishes side by side then stacked more fishes nose to nose and tail fin to tail fin.  After 4 fishes were completed, I got out the crochet hook and tapestry needle and started trimming.  The strap is just a tube made of a long piece of stockinette that curls up onto itself.  I left long yarn tails to use for attaching the strap to the bag and then for adding the locks of crochet chains (see photo above).

I've got other ideas on how to use this concept so, time willing, I hope to post more variations on this design.

~Inner monologue:  Paula, if you're out there, thanks for the design.  You deserve loads of credit for this thing!~