Well traveled bag & sock update

I've been a negligent blogger, so sorry - 40 lashes with some felted yarn!! I have made a little progress on the Crochet me! in your shoes ankle socks I'm doing with the crochetsocks group. Mine are almost ready for the heel & toe. I'm doing them with Paton's KroySocks 'Vista Sea' and a 3.5mm E hook. I have to confess, I put them aside last Wednesday night because I couldn't wait another minute to start on my version of Dawn's Well traveled bag. I'm using KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in 'Winter Night', 'Asparagus', 'Mulled Wine' & 'Tan'. I did just the base that first night, worked on it a bit more on Thursday & Friday evening. Last night I finished crocheting the main bag (picture shows the sides folded in). Original dimensions were 11" x 6" x 12"(tall). This morning I crocheted a pocket to go inside.
After spending a bit of time surfing the web (and asking every forum/group I could think of) for advice on felting with pockets, I finally loosely whipstitched the pocket to the inside, and took the felting plunge (or rather the bag did). I wasn't sure if my front loader would do the job, but I put it on high heat, heavy soil, added a bit if detergent, and let it do it's thing. I checked it after 15 minutes and it was definitely fulling. I added some sneakers and let it keep going for another 10 minutes. Then I took it out plunged it cold water, rinsed it a bit in the sink (while I let the washer rinse itself out). I stuck it back in the washer for a water extraction spin (this time on gentle) and stuck it on top of some baby wipe boxes to dry. After felting dimensions are 5" x 8.5 " x 9.5"(tall). I bought some 1/8 inch diameter leather cording at AC Moore yesterday. I think it will be strong enough tripled & braided. If not, I could always double it before braiding. (I bought 25 yds at $7.99 - it was only $1 more than 8yds, which was only $1 more than 4 yds...and that was before my 40% off coupon!). Anyway, I'll try making the cord tonight and see if dh wants to help me attack the grommets!