taking lotta to chicago

Every time I get back from Chicago I think the same thing: "wow, that was fun and easy. we should do that more often." This was our second trip up to the big city this summer. I met up with a dear old friend and her family, and It's always so fun to see her. We were little girls together and we'd talk about things like, what if you grow up and live far away? Would you come visit me with your family? And we would and we did, and it's so funny it makes us a little bit giddy.

For walking around places, I prefer a small backpack to any other bag. Usually I use Beebs' toddler-size L.L. Bean one. (hot pink, found at a thrift store and says "katherine". That's not my daughter's name, but it took me 3 years to cover it with a fabric patch.) But this time the L.L. Bean bag was just too gross. It's been going to camp and is covered in a scummy dirt/sunblock blend. So I decided to make Lotta Jansdotter's "simple drawstring backpack". Actually this could be any number of people's drawstring backpacks, including "My Friend Sarah's Drawstring Backpack", but Lotta put it in a book and gave me some measurements to start with, so there you go.

The backpack wore well, mostly. The pocket gapped a lot, but I think it was a litter taller than called for because I edged with bias tape. I know, Lotta gave me directions, but I didn't listen. It was also a little tight because I used 48in. straps instead of 54in. I know, again with the listening. Actually I often got ahead of myself with this pattern, thinking I knew what I was doing, but then I would realize that I didn't have things like holes for the straps to go in. Not so hot, smartypants.

Also, I love the swimming polar bears at the zoo. They are so surreal. They look big, fluffy, weightless, and kind. But they are not. They are bears.