I recently used my large Swift as a giant tote bag for a conference, and it was perfect. Cavernous and effective for hauling groceries and sweaters and shoes and such. So when the opportunity arose to try out my new Little Swift, I was excited to try it. I fit a Side Effect, a medium clear-bottomed yarn sack, a water bottle, sunglasses, and some snacks for an afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house with the kids, and it. was. perfect. Not so big that things got lost, but not so small that items had to be squished or omitted. For everyday kinds of things, it's really a delightful little tote. It's definitely more on the 'purse-like-object' side of size, but sometimes you just want something that's not massive to haul a few handy extra things.

This bag is thoughtfully designed as a project bag. I like that it opens really wide, stands up on its own, and the handles are just the right length. I don't really care for the plasticky material on the inside pockets, but the visibility is a bonus, so I guess that's the tradeoff. It would also make for a highly functional handbag, although I haven't used it that way quite yet. It is not big enough for my straight needles, they stick out the top, so go for the regular sized one if that's how you'd use it.

As for the little yarn pouch, it works fine. Just the right size for the cakes that come off my ball winder. I don't use the little clip for threading the yarn, but it was handy to have the pouch to contain the yarn and keep it clean while knitting on recent car and plane trips.

So far I’ve knit one project while I’ve had this bag. I want to love it, but it needs a few small adjustments to be the perfect bag.

The yarn stuff sack is probably the most problematic. I’m knitting with a lace weight yarn and if I thread my yarn through the hook inside the bag, my yarn pulls in a way that it gets stuck in the joint on the hook on the outside of the bag. So I just don’t thread my yarn through the hook inside the stuff sack and try to make sure that my yarn pulls through the top and away from that outside hook.

I also wish there was a sleeve on the outside of the swift. And I’d like to see one pen/pencil slot in the bag.

The only other issue is the bag straps. They are very thick. Thicker than is comfortable for my small hands. Yarn is not heavy and I’m not toting around pounds of yarn to really make these thick straps necessary.

With a few small adjustments, it could be the perfect bag!! The quality is AMAZING and the bag should last forever. Plus I love the colors. I’ll use it for many years.