An assortment of mostly worsted-weight yarn from your personal stash (NOT machine washable), approximately 900 yards for a medium bag and 1,250 yards for a large bag. NOTE: If a bulk of yarn used for these bags are worsted weight. It is fine to incorporate lighter- or heavier-weight yarns into your color and yarn sequences, but keep in mind this will make the diameter of the bag slightly different in the different sections where this yarn is used. If you plan to knit the bulk of your bag with worsted-weight yarn, limit the number of rounds you knit with yarns of other weights to six at a time and always intersperse the variant-weight yarn in between the sections of worsted-weight yarn. You can also use double or triple strands of lighter-weight yarn in order to match the gauge of your worsted-weight yarn. Once the tote is felted, the worsted-weight yarn surrounding your variant yarn will help keep your tote the size you had intended. Novelty yarns are another great addition to this project. Again, be sure you place your novelty (non-felting) yarns in between multiple rows of wool yarn that will felt.
- One 29" circular needle, size US 10-(6.5 mm)
- Two double-pointed needles, size US 10 (6.5 mm) (Change the size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.)
- Optional (for plastic handle): About 3 feet of transparent plastic waterpressure tubing, two 17" pieces of widedouble-fold bias tape or ribbon, fabric marker or rubber stamps and inkpad, tapestry needle, embroidery floss, 4 buttons (about 1"), hole puncher
A CREATIVE USE FOR LEFTOVER YARN
TOTE BAG INSTRUCTIONS
GAUGE: 14 stitches and 18 rows = 4" stockinette stitch before felting
KNIT THE BAG: Using color of choice, cast on 125 (150) stitches. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist stitches; place marker for beginning round. Begin stockinette stitch; work evenly, changing yarns as desired, until the bag measures 26" (35") form the beginning. With right sides together, using yarn threaded onto yarn needle, sew the bottom seam. Turn bag inside out and flatten the bottom as shown. Sew a short seam across the triangular flap at each side approx 3" (4") from end of each triangle point, to form bottom and side gussets of bag. Weave in loose ends.
FELT THE BAG: Felt the knitted bag following these instructions.
KNITTED HANDLES (KNIT TWO BEFORE BAG IS FELTED): Lay bag flat and mark top of bag for handle position—approximately 6" from right and left sides. Using 2 double-pointed needles, pick up 7 stitches at handle position, working toward the center on the right-hand side of the bag. Using 2 double-pointed needles, work as follows: *Knit 4, yarn forward, slip 3, turn: repeat from * until handle measures 15" in length. Bind off all stitches, leaving a 10"-long tail. Thread tail into yarn needle and sew end of handle where marked on left-hand side, on the same side of bag. Repeat for second handle, on opposite side of bag.
PLASTIC HANDLES: Lay bag flat and mark top of bag for handle position—approximately 7" in from right-hand and left-hand sides of bag. Cut 2 lengths of bias tape/ribbon, each 17" long; write or stamp inspirational words onto bias tape/ribbon. Let dry completely. Turn out and repeat on other side, if desired. Cut 2 lengths of plastic tubing approximately 18" long. Punch 2 holes side by side at each end of tubing. Beginning on the right-hand side of bag, thread sharp tapestry needle with embroidery floss and sew up through bag and hole punched into end of plastic. Thread through a button and back down through second hole punched into plastic and through felted bag. Repeat several times until handle is secure. Insert stamped bias tape/ribbon through center of tubing; secure opposite end of handle to left-hand side of bag in the same way. Repeat for second handle.
MEDIUM BAG: 19" x 26" before felting; 15" x 17" after felting (approx.)
LARGE BAG: 22" x 35" before felting; 20" x 20" after felting (approx.)