I have nearly finished another felted bag, but am undecided as to handles for this one.

I am knitting (and then machine felting) the Vermont Bag from 101 Designer One-skein Wonders (check it out on Ravelry for now, as it is too dark for me to get a decent photo, sorry) which has knitted/felted handles.

My last felted bag had bamboo handles (although is just a bit too small for everyday use) and I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the practicality of knitted/felted handles on a bag which hopefully will get a lot of use this winter.

I may consider some leather, wooden or bamboo handles, but will knit and felt the woolly ones anyway.

What experiences have you had with longevity etc of your felted bag handles, folks?

What about making tubular handles with something stronger in the centre, like nylon twine? It might make them a bit tougher.

I've made bags with felted ("fulled" for the picky) handles but I've either given them away or they are in a heap somewhere (unused) so I can't say how they've stood up to wear. If they don't last the course you could chop them off and retrofit bamboo or plastic handles.

You could make two sets of handles and then replace them if they get tatty. I would have thought that making a second set would guarentee that the first set would last forever.

(My train of thought got derailed)

Jill's got some nice plaited leather handles that are just long enough to go over your shoulder to have the bag tucked under your arm :)

I knitted and felted myself a bag from Cascade 220 and the handles were knitted as part of the pattern. I have found the handles to be very hard wearing and I have a tendancy to pack my bags with as much rubbish as possible!

Thank you for your help. I shall pop into the Wool Baa and check out those handles, and then make a considered decision as which to do. Watch this space...