stuff sack in Cafe bag question (knitter or not)

Due to changing needs, it appears my Imago is going to be the default kids' bag, meaning I need a new bag (darn.)

I am musing between the medium and large Cafe bag; I must qualify that the bag needs to comfortably hold a stuff sack, lightly stuffed with a small project, as this is the salvation to me not losing any of my knitting (unfortunate series of events with Ziplocs and my old Timbuk2).

I am thinking that the medium might be too small, but like that I can upgrade the strap on the large Cafe bag to the Absolute strap...

I have 2 Large Cafe Bags and I wholeheartedly recommend that size.
The Absolute strap is an absolute must.

The other Cafe Bag is a Small. I cannot comment on the Medium but...

I added a Stuff Sack that contains a full medium size skein of yarn, a small stack of plastic canvas 4" squares, a mini organizer pouch for plastic canvas needles.
It fits on top of my already well packet Large Cafe Bag which contains a Clear Quarter Packing Cube, my Small Cafe Bag, 2 cheap nylon cosmetics/eyeglasses holders, a rigid plastic folder for documents, eye glasses, reading glasses if I have to spend much time ready web sites on my web phone which is inside his cork pouch.
All of the above fits inside the main compartment.

I can fit one or two small pouches inside the front zipper pocket. Or a mini pouch and plenty of bus/train schedules.

The back pocket is perfect for a small folding umbrella or a rain hat and a low plastic container used for lunch (in a plastic bag to avoid spills in my bag).

It can also hold a retail plastic bag containing soft or small stuffs one could pick up at the drugstore right before getting on the commuter train/bus such as fabric headbands, a box of band-aids or candy bars, brownies...


On plane travels, I use my Large Cafe Bag as my personal carry on.
It shines at this task

My only concern about the Large Cafe Bag is that I'm 5'2", at best. I'm not certain if the Large Cafe bag will overwhelm me or not.

I've poked around on Flickr to see pictures of the bags on people and so far found only two people modeling the bags, both Medium.

I may just have to order both and try them on... sigh. I'll never return the other!

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Originally Posted by cancoi

My only concern about the Large Cafe Bag is that I'm 5'2", at best. I'm not certain if the Large Cafe bag will overwhelm me or not.

I've poked around on Flickr to see pictures of the bags on people and so far found only two people modeling the bags, both Medium.

I may just have to order both and try them on... sigh. I'll never return the other!

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I'm 5'3" and can post pictures of myself with a Large cafe bag and with a Medium cafe bag (I can even throw in my Imago too, since you are familiar with that), if you can wait till next weekend (boyfriend is currently traveling with the large).

I haven't actually used my medium yet, and I haven't compared it side by side to the large either. But when I first received it, my first though was "But wait, it's not all that much smaller!"

Thanks to both for your quick input...

I'm still deadlocked between the two, and now tempted by the steel/cork/wasabi Imago available for pre-order. I thought that one of the Cafe bags might be good, but do like some of the aspects of the east-west orientation of the Imago. Then again, I mostly carry a magazine or two, some papers (or knitting patterns in clear sleeves), and my knitting accessories bag can sit at the bottom, under a stuff sack (it's almost 9.5").

You're right, backpack... the Absolute strap would be a necessity.

This is going to take time... I may have to order the two and just decide. Somehow, I don't believe the loser will be returned!

Backpacker, I do have another question for you... do you find the flap on the Cafe bag problematic as it is not adjustable? I just noted this on some other threads as I was poking around. I think that's one of the nice features of the Imago...

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Originally Posted by timarelay

I'm 5'3" and can post pictures of myself with a Large cafe bag and with a Medium cafe bag (I can even throw in my Imago too, since you are familiar with that), if you can wait till next weekend (boyfriend is currently traveling with the large).

I haven't actually used my medium yet, and I haven't compared it side by side to the large either. But when I first received it, my first though was "But wait, it's not all that much smaller!"

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It would be fantastic if you would post pictures with the various bags -- I've been trying to decide between several of them, and it sounds like I'm about your size. I too would like to be able to carry a small knitting project in a stuff sack (if only they already had dividers!) but I was concerned that even the Medium would be big on me. The bags I'm used to carrying are very small -- my current one is about 5" x 8" x 3" -- since I carry few belongings on me. So I thought the Medium might be overkill, but was considering it because I would like to carry a bit of knitting with me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cancoi

Backpacker, I do have another question for you... do you find the flap on the Cafe bag problematic as it is not adjustable? I just noted this on some other threads as I was poking around. I think that's one of the nice features of the Imago...

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That bothered me when I was using the Large Cafe bag as a primary bag, and is why the Imago will probably always be my general everyday bag. Cafe bags are great for traveling because of their lower profile, and in general, are great for when you're fairly certain of the amount of stuff you'll be carrying.

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Originally Posted by yeti

It would be fantastic if you would post pictures with the various bags -- I've been trying to decide between several of them, and it sounds like I'm about your size. I too would like to be able to carry a small knitting project in a stuff sack (if only they already had dividers!) but I was concerned that even the Medium would be big on me. The bags I'm used to carrying are very small -- my current one is about 5" x 8" x 3" -- since I carry few belongings on me. So I thought the Medium might be overkill, but was considering it because I would like to carry a bit of knitting with me.

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I will definitely post pictures then! I would go ahead and do the ones I have on hand except I can't get good lighting when I take them by myself. So this weekend I'll definitely get some good shots of myself with the Brain Bag, the Imago, the large cafe bag, and the medium cafe bag. Ooh, and I guess the Shop Bag too. That's all I have for now. =)

The medium is a little big on me, but I don't want to get the small because I think its shape is a little awkward visually (I could be wrong though; never actually seen it in person). I would want it to be a little bit shorter. I figure the medium is a good enough size that it's still fairly low profile and not overwhelming, but not restrictive because its volume isn't too low. I haven't actually used it yet though, so we'll see.

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Originally Posted by timarelay

I will definitely post pictures then! I would go ahead and do the ones I have on hand except I can't get good lighting when I take them by myself. So this weekend I'll definitely get some good shots of myself with the Brain Bag, the Imago, the large cafe bag, and the medium cafe bag. Ooh, and I guess the Shop Bag too. That's all I have for now. =)

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Yay! I'll look out for them after the weekend. Thanks so much -- I think your pictures will help me greatly in deciding whether I should go Small or Medium on the Cafe Bag (or both? And that Shop Bag is pretty tempting...).

I will also try to get a picture of me with the Imago and the new Medium Cafe Bag. For various reasons, I took the plunge, and a Plum/Wasabi Medium bag is on its way... It may not work, but I thought the Large might have too much overlap with the Imago and I might downsize a bit.

We'll see.

There is some adjustability in the Medium Cafe Bag's bottom buckle. I thought there would be the same design in the Large Cafe Bag. After reading this thread I get the impression that the LCB has no adjustment. Is this the case?

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Originally Posted by ex machina

There is some adjustability in the Medium Cafe Bag's bottom buckle. I thought there would be the same design in the Large Cafe Bag. After reading this thread I get the impression that the LCB has no adjustment. Is this the case?

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My older (06) Large Cafe Bag bottom's buckle is not adjustable but...

The newer colors have an adjustable bottom buckle as you can see from the website pictures.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cancoi

I will also try to get a picture of me with the Imago and the new Medium Cafe Bag. For various reasons, I took the plunge, and a Plum/Wasabi Medium bag is on its way... It may not work, but I thought the Large might have too much overlap with the Imago and I might downsize a bit.

We'll see.

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I use an Imago and Medium Cafe Bag combo at present. I am very happy with both bags. I plan to post a detailed review over Spring Break. That said, I am planning on purchasing a Large Cafe Bag. The idea is that on some school days I can take just the LCB as it will accommodate my book needs while still attending to all my 'essentials'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by backpack

My older (06) Large Cafe Bag bottom's buckle is not adjustable but...

The newer colors have an adjustable bottom buckle as you can see from the website pictures.

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Tnx Backpack, that clears it up for me. Now if only I could get the LCB in Steel/Cayenne to match my Imago. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ex machina

Tnx Backpack, that clears it up for me. Now if only I could get the LCB in Steel/Cayenne to match my Imago. ;)

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You might want to wait a little to get it, the color might show up since those two colors are pretty much unisex and business like to
boot.