You will need:

Either dk yarns and 4mm knitting needles -Approximate size – 17cm x 13cm (plus handles)

Or chunky yarns and 6mm knitting needles / super chunky and 9mm knitting needles.

Large blunt needle to sew up wool

Fabric for lining

Large press stud for fastening

Needle and thread to sew lining

 

Check out our YouTube channel for video walkthroughs of the patterns

 

This pattern is worked in coloured stripes, with a different colour to finish off the top ribbing and handles.   The pattern is an 8 row repeat – and all the pattern rows are listed to make it easier for you to follow the colour changes and cable pattern.

There are 2 techniques you will need for this pattern

Cable pattern - We are going to cross over some of the stitches to make the twisted cable pattern.   When the pattern says – ‘cable 4 back’ – work the next 4 stitches as follows

-       take next 2 stitches off the left hand needle onto your cable needle – tuck the cable needle with the stitches on it BEHIND the work – knit next 2 stitches on the left hand needle – put the 2 stitches from the cable needle back onto the left hand needle – knit these 2 stitches,

Joining the colour blocks – when you start work on a new colour block twist the 2 yarn strands around each other.  This will keep the yarn tight and the stitches flat – preventing a gap that you would otherwise get.

 

Method:-

For the first side cast on: 12 stitches in colour A, 12 stitches in colour B, 12 stitches in colour C, (36 stitches)

Knit 2 rows – make sure you have the yarn to the back of the work at each colour change – and twist the yarns round each other.

Work the main pattern as follows: – repeat these stitches across each colour block

Row 1: knit 1, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, knit 1.

Row 2: purl 1, knit 3, purl 4, knit 3, purl 1.

Row 3: as row 1.

Row 4: as row 2.

Row 5: as row 1.

Row 6: as row 2.

Row 7: knit 1, purl 3, cable 4 back, purl 3, knit 1.

Row 8: as row 2.

Work 3 complete sets of the pattern – then work

Row 1: knit 1, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, knit 1.

Row 2: purl 1, knit 3, purl 4, knit 3, purl 1.

Row 3: as row 1.

Row 4: s row 2.

Break off all the yarn ends – leaving about 4” tails – and change colour

Row 1: *knit 1, knit 2 together – repeat from * to end of row (24 stitches)

Row 2:  *knit 1, purl 1 - repeat from * to end of row

Row 3:  *knit 1, purl 1 - repeat from * to end of row

Row 4: *knit 1, purl 1 - repeat from * to end of row

Row 5: knit all stitches.

Row 6: purl all stitches.

Row 7: knit all stitches.

Cast off.

 

For the second side cast on: 12 stitches in colour C, 12 stitches in colour B, 12 stitches in colour A, 

Work the pattern for the second side as instructions above.

 

Handle

The basic instructions for the handle are very simple – but you can choose to work them in whatever colour – or mix of colours you want.  Make them as long or short as you wish.

 

Make 2

Cast on 4 stitches

Row 1: knit

Row 2: Purl

Repeat until handle measures about 27cm.

Cast off.

 

Or you could make an I cord

 

TIP – If you knit both the handles at the same time you can be sure that they will be exactly the same length.  Just cast on from each end of the colour yarn you wish to use.

 

To make up

Sew in the yarn tails along the top columns in their correct colour blocks

Sew the handles to the wrong side of the top ribbing, using the yarn tails - leaving the top rows of the bag to curl around itself.

Join the side of the bag together, keeping the colour blocks matching.

 

Lining

Iron the fabric piece flat – fold in half and iron.

Pin together and sew up both short sides 1cm in.  You can machine or hand sew with little running stitches.

Turn over top 1cm.

 

Lining the bag

Turn the bag so that with the back of the work is facing outwards.

Turn the lining so that the seams on the inside.

Slip the fabric lining over the bag so that both the wrong sides are together and the inner of your bag will be neat.

Pin the lining around the top of bag - just where the rib colour starts – and sew the lining top fold to the yarn using small over sewing stitches and cotton thread.

Sew on your popper fastening

 

Take a step further:-

• You can easily make the bag wider by adding more colour panels
• And you can make the bag deeper by continuing to work in the cable pattern block.
• The handle edges will naturally curl towards each other – add a length of cord and over sew slightly to make firmer handles for a larger bag.
• Experiment with any wild and wacky colour combination you feel like!
• Make in one colour – or use up your scraps.
• Add a zip to the top for a closed purse.

 

This pattern is part of The Kitten and The Goat Monthly Virtual Knitting Circle.  Sign up to our email list on the website to get a newsletter with a free pattern and access to 2 videos every month.

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