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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

manly bags

Manly 3

Manly 1

Manly 2

My partner Tom went away for a couple of days on a work trip, and I had started to make him a case in which to keep his toothbrush, etc. Typically I didn't finish it before he left, but it can wait for his next journey. 

I'm quite pleased with this new design which I call the Manly Washbag, because I've been wanting to have something for men in my shop for a while now. It's made from vintage tweedy wool fabrics (a different one on each side) and lined in waterproof fabric. It has a strong cotton cord and toggle closure. Quite 'manly', in my opinion, anyway. I have included a few in my shop update today.

I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday. Here we have rain, fog, and then a bit more rain. It's rather cosy.

 

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20 responses to “manly bags”

  1. jennie Avatar
    jennie

    These are gorgeous Melissa.
    Such a great gift idea!
    (it was -2 here this morning!)xx

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  2. KP Avatar
    KP

    Really nice M – it’s so funny but I sent B off with a manly drawstring bag last trip – made out of my old checked cotton pyjamas and lined in one of his old work-shirts – just an empty one to put his socks or washing in! Saw him packing it for his latest trip so it must have been quite useful. LOVE the facecloth too – did you knit that?

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  3. rachel @ tea with lucy Avatar
    rachel @ tea with lucy

    great idea. making for the menfolk isn’t easy. these fabrics work so well.

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  4. Delwyn Avatar
    Delwyn

    Hi Melissa, what a great idea! I’m also interested in the cloth beside the bag in the photo – facewasher? I’ve been knitting dish cloths that are similar but always looking for ideas for presents for the menfolk in our lives; and this looks lovely.

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  5. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks K- that bag sounds great! love the recycling. the facecloth was knitted by suse- http://peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com/ (can’t believe i forgot to mention that!)

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  6. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks, delwyn- yes the facecloth was knitted by a blog-friend suse- http://peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com/

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  7. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Hello Melissa
    Your Manly bags are just fabulous, I love your use of the tweed material! Rain here and we are cosied up about to do bedtime stories, Emma x

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  8. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Hi Melissa
    Your blog is a huge inspiration for me! Love the latest zip coin purses/pencil bags. I was wondering, sometime in the future if you could post a short tutorial on making them? I know there are a lot out there, but I can never seem to get the top corners neat (the current tuts don’t go into a lot of detail about it), and yours always come out perfect! No problem if you don’t get around to it though 🙂

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  9. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    love these!

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  10. Jannette Avatar
    Jannette

    Oh I like that – the washbag and the fabric.. Lovely!

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  11. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    one can never have enough bags like that for life’s little things

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  12. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    it’s beautiful. 🙂 i should really make something for my little guy. something for him to tote around his treasures and what not. hmmmm…

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  13. keishua Avatar
    keishua

    I like them. I am such a fan of little bags, myself. If had a man in my life, I would totally like him to have something like that.

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  14. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Love them! I just started reading your blog and find it very inspirational.

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  15. caireen Avatar
    caireen

    nice! made me laugh that you finished it after he left…ta-dah, ‘a welcome home gift’! x

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  16. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    These are great. I actually wouldn’t mind a “manly” bag for myself.
    Of course my eyes went straight to the knitted washcloth and I wondered if you had knit it yourself, but I see in the comments that it was made by Suze. Glad to discover her lovely blog!

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  17. Minji Avatar
    Minji

    What a coïncidence? I thought also that we creat things for men less than others. I do very little since my husband is more for technical materials…
    Thanks for your brooch, I got today. so lovely!
    I also started to read your blog from the beginning.
    ENCHANTEE.

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  18. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar
    Denise | Chez Danisse

    Love these, especially the blue. I think you sold-out already.

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  19. Miss Smith Avatar
    Miss Smith

    You make really cool stuff. Really, you do.

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  20. stephanie caldwell Avatar
    stephanie caldwell

    such a great idea. i know my husband would find something like this quite handy. most of the time he always forget to pack his toothbrush when he travels, haha…there’s always something.
    i love that facecloth too. i’m off to check out suse’s blog. thanks for the link.

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