Yesterday I spent most of what would have been crochet time working on my braiding technique.

After cutting 16 two-foot lengths of yarn I tied one end of the lengths together and practiced making a four-plait braid. When I came to the end, I would undo it, and start again.

Today, feeling confident that my braiding technique was sufficiently improved that I could contemplate finishing the granny square bag, I set aside my braiding practice and got out my grommet kit.

To install the grommets, it is first necessary to cut a hole in the lining, so I began my effort by pinning the fabric lining to the granny square so that it would not slip while I marked where to make the hole in the fabric:

Next (after putting the small piece of wood that came with the grommet kit directly under the fabric lining), I inserted the hole cutter through the designated space in the granny square, and I tapped the end with a hammer:

Next, I got out a small pair of scissors and carefully cut out the circle marked by the hole cutter:

Then, following the directions that came with the grommet kit, I assembled all of the pieces as instructed:

Next (but not on the kitchen table), I used a hammer to secure the grommet. With the first grommet successfully installed, I moved onto the second, then the third and the fourth, and in short order, all four grommets were secured:

Now all that was left was to braid to straps.

After cutting all of the necessary lengths of yarn and ribbon, I taped them to a rail for easy braiding:

And then I braided. And braided. And braided:

And, despite all my braiding, the strap I made was not quite long enough. In the excitement of installing the grommets, I had forgotten to take into account how much length was lost in the braiding.

Since I cut lengths for two straps, I will go ahead and finish the second braid (more practice!), and save these braided straps for a future project, and then I will get out the scissors and using the information I have gained about how much length is lost in the braiding, I will cut the lengths of yarn I will need to put this project in the ta-done column.