1. Place the bag and inner tube in a pillowcase (to protect the washer from the globs of fiber that will shed from the piece). Use a rubber band to close it. 2. Fill the washing machine to its lowest level with hot or warm water, as checking the piece frequently will be necessary and also to prevent hand burns. Add the soap as the machine fills and set it to its heaviest agitation level.
3. Felting will begin suddenly, so keep an eye on the piece. Check the progress of the felting every 5 minutes. Wring out the excess water and stretch and pull the bag into the desired shape. When it's wet, the fabric is still malleable.
4. The bag will be ready when that stretchy stockinette turns into a firm slab of felt. Felt it until the stitch definition is barely discernible and the buttonholes tighten snugly around the inner tube.
5. When it's reached its final dimensions, rinse the bag to remove all of the soap and excess fiber. Roll it in between towels. Block your bag by stuffing it full of towels or stretching it over a plastic-bag-covered box to achieve the shape desired. Allow to dry completely, 1 to 2 days.
6. The bag is ready for the road. To adjust the length of the strap, use the bike messenger's friend and everyday office supply item: the large black metal paper clamp. To prevent a wayward pen or knitting needle from escaping through one of the buttonholes, secure such smaller items safely away in zippered pouches. Grab your laptop, a notebook and some knitting projects, throw the bag over your shoulder and hit the streets.
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2007/07/12/dkng709_1ca_beauty_e.jpg",350,450))
