Terrific Textures
Essentials Bag
Textured stitches
and traditionally styling work up into a bag that’s both sassy and functional.
Plus, the use of different stitches prevents the knitting from getting boring!
In this pattern,
all the bag pieces are knit separately and then “sewn” together using a crochet
hook and slip stitch. If you don’t like this method of seaming, you may choose
whatever method you prefer. Some basic sewing construction knowledge is a plus,
but not absolutely necessary.
Constructed from
Knit Pick’s Shine yarn, on size 3 needles. Getting a thick, dense fabric is
more critical than matching the gauge exactly. Loose fabric will not hold it’s
shape and the bag will be too floppy to use. All measurements are approximate.
Gauge:
Gauge: 7 stitches
per inch in stockinette stitch.
Yarn
information:
Content:
60%
Pima Cotton, 40% Modal
Amount: 110 yards/50 grams
ball
Materials:
1 skein Shine
yarn (Green Apple was used to make the model)
Size 3 needles
Size F crochet
hook
Tapestry or yarn
needle
1 skein Shine
yarn
Matching button
if desired
Double
Moss stitch:
Row 1: K1,
[P1,K1] to end.
Row 2: P1, [K1,
P1] to end.
Row 3: P1, [K1,
P1] to end.
Row 4: K1,
[P1,K1] to end.
Front
Panel:
3” X 6” approx.
CO 21 stitches (1
selvage stitch each side)
Work in Garter
stitch for 6”, slipping the 1st stitch (in pattern) to create a
smooth edge.
Bind off.
Back
Panel with Flap:
3” X 6” approx.,
plus flap.
CO 21 stitches (1
selvage stitch each side)
Work in Double
Moss stitch for 7”, slipping 1st stitch (in pattern) to create a
smooth edge. (I found for rows 2 & 3, knitting the last stitch created the
smooth edge.)
Work 6 more rows
in pattern.
Decrease:
Row 1: Decrease 1
stitch, continue in pattern to last two stitches, decrease.
Rose 2: Work in
pattern across.
Work the two
decrease rows 3 times.
Bind Off.
Front
Pocket:
3” X 3 ¾” approx.
CO 21 stitches (1
selvage stitch each side).
Work in Double
Moss stitch for 3 ¼ ”, slipping 1st stitch (in pattern) to create a
smooth edge.
K1,P1 (K2, P1) across, for 4 more rows, slipping first stitch.
Bind Off.
Front
Pocket Flap:
On front panel,
Pick up and knit 21 stitches across 1 row.
Work in Double
Moss stitch, as for other flap:
Work 6 rows in
pattern.
Decrease:
Row 1: Decrease 1
stitch, continue in pattern to last two stitches, decrease.
Rose 2: Work in
pattern across.
Work the two
decrease rows 3 times.
Bind Off.
Bottom:
3” X 2 ½”
For a more stable
bottom, work two pieces. During construction, these will be held together and
treated as a single piece. For a less thick bottom, work a single piece only.
CO 24 stitches.
Work in Garter
stitch for 2 ½ ”.
Bind Off.
Sides:
1 ½” X 6” approx.
Work 2 pieces.
CO 11 stitches.
Work in 1X1
ribbing for 4 rows.
Work in seed
stitch until piece is 6” long, slipping the first stitch of each row for a
smooth edge.
Bind Off.
Strap:
Crochet a chain
approximately 22” long or the length that works best for your needs. Slip
stitch along entire length of chain. Slip stitch in top stitch of chain to turn
around and slip stitch along entire length of chain again. Sew in place on
inside of the bag, once constructed.
Construction:
I constructed my
bag using a crochet hook and slip-stitched all seams. You may use what ever
seaming method you prefer. The crocheted slip-stitch method provides a sturdy,
clean finish to the bag.
Slip Stitch
Seaming:
Lay the two edges
being seamed one on top of the other. Insert your crochet hook all the way
through BOTH pieces and pull up a loop. Reinsert your hook into the next stitch
(through both pieces) and pull up a loop. Repeat across the seam.
You will see a
chain of stitches forming on top of the piece. Experiment with stitch length
and placement until you achieve the look you want.
Seam the
Bottom Pieces Together:
If you’ve opted
to knit two bottom pieces, slip stitch/ seam them together around the outside
edge. Weave in any tails.
Attach the
Sides to the Back Panel:
Starting from the
bottom edge, align the bottom edge of one side piece with the bottom edge of
the Back Panel. Seam. Repeat for the other side. I recommend taking a few whip
stitches over the seam at the top and bottom edge to reinforce these wear
points.
Attach the
Pocket to the Front Panel:
Align the bottom
and side edges of the Pocket and the Front Panel, with the ribbing at the top
edge of the pocket. (The bottom of the pocket should be even with the bottom
edge of the Front Panel.) Slip stitch/seam down one side, across the bottom and
back up the other side. Whip stitch at the top of each side of the pocket to
reinforce these wear points. Weave in any tails.
Sew the Front
Panel to the Sides:
Align the bottom
of the Front Panel with the bottom of one of the Sides. (The sides will be
attached to the Back Panel at this point. You are completing the sides of your
bag.) Slip stitch/seam this edge. Repeat for the other side. Whip stitch at
the top and bottom of each side seam. Weave in any tails.
You should now
have a bag with no bottom!
Sew on the
Bottom:
If you opted for
the doubled bottom, your bottom pieces should now be seamed. Treat this as one
piece.
Line up one long
edge of the bottom with the back edge of the bag. Begin seaming mid way along
this edge (Avoid corners, because they make it hard to finish nicely.) Slip
stitch/ seam around the entire edge of the bag. Weave in any tails.
Add a Button
or Snap to the Front Flap:
If you wish, you
may add a button or snap to hold down the front flap. A loop or frog style
closure is recommended if you choose to use a button.
Copyright 2005, all
rights reserved. This pattern is the property of Katie Franceschi & may not
be distributed in any form without express written permission from the author.
Please contact me at: bungalowmum@isp.com
with any inqueries.