Summer Party Bag- Knitting Pattern

Everyone always needs a bag that is fun and functional! Knitters can use this colorful cotton bag to put a knitting project in, store small balls of leftover yarns, or as a shopping bag for a trip to the LYS. But you don’t have to be a knitter to actually use this bag! It makes a great gift for a special someone.

This practical pouch can also be used at the farmers market, the beach (throw wet swimsuits in it after a day in the sun!), or to hold snacks for a soccer game. The unique mesh lace gives the Summer Party Bag a different twist on boring old market bags. This stitch is strong, durable, and still gives a cool pop of mesh lace to its design. And the best part? No sewing on straps at the end. The straps are knit into the top of the bag so they are sturdier and won’t come apart with all the use this bag is bound to get!

 

Grab some colorful mercerized cotton and get to knitting the Summer Party Bag!

MATERIALS

Needles

(2) US 6 / 4.0mm Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles Circular 16” (SKU 3106/16-06)

 

Yarn

Urth “Uneek Cotton”

100% Mercerized Cotton

275 yards/251 meters; DK

1 skein

Sample done in Color 1074

 

Notions

Darning Needle (SKU: 339)

Scissors (SKU: 493/CW)

Stitch Markers (SKU: 329)

 

Gauge

28 sts = 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch

(Gauge is not important for this project.)

 

Finished Measurements

Bag measures about 14 inches / 36 cm from the brim to the bottom (not including the straps) and has a circumference of about 14 inches / 36 cm around the mesh area                                                       

Abbreviations

BO – Bind Off

bor – beginning of round

CO – Cast On

dec – decrease

LH – left hand needle

K – Knit

K2tog – knit two together (1 st dec)

P – Purl

RH – right hand needle

rnd/rnds – round/rounds

sl – slip one stitch

sm – stitch marker

st/sts – stitch/stitches

YO – yarn over

 

Notes

The straps are designed to be knit into the bag and to not have to be sewn on later. You will make your first strap and cut your yarn. The second strap will be worked and then the top of the bag stitches will be cast on to incorporate both straps.

 

Be extra careful to check to be sure you don’t have any twists in your straps or in the top of your bag.

 

The Pattern

 

Strap 1

CO 50 sts.

Row 1: sl1, K to last st, P1

Work last row a total of 10 times.

BO all sts. Cut yarn and set aside.

Strap 2

CO 50 sts.

Row 1: sl1, K to last st, P1

Work last row a total of 10 times.

Bind off, but don’t cut yarn. When you have 1 st remaining on right needle, rotate piece 90 degrees clockwise. Pick up and knit 5 sts along edge – 6 sts

Using knitted cast on, CO 30 sts – 36 sts

Pick up 6 sts along other short side of Strap 2. Be careful there are no twists in the strap – 42 sts

Using knitted cast on, CO 15 sts – 57 sts

Grab Strap 1 and pick up and knit 6 sts along short side. To be sure your straps are facing the same direction, the first stitch you pick up should be next to the CO tail – 63 sts

CO 30 sts – 93 sts

Pick up 6 sts along other short side of your Strap 1. Be careful there are no twists in the strap. The first stitch you pick up should be next to your BO tail – 99 sts

CO 15 sts – 114 sts

Place marker to note bor. Join to work in the round. Double check to be sure there are not twists anywhere on your needle.

Rnd 1: Purl

Rnd 2: Knit

Work last 2 rnds a total of 6 times.

Rnd 1: *bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off the needle, K1, YO, K1* around

Rnd 2: K to last st, sl last st to RH, remove sm, return st to LH, bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off needle, K1, replace sm to RH

Rnd 3: YO, K1, *bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off the needle, K1, YO, K1* to last st, K1

Rnd 4: Knit

Repeat Rnds 1 – 4 until bag measures about 11 inches from garter stitch edge (about 20 repeats) or until bag measures your desired length.

Bottom of Bag

Dec Rnd 1: (K5, K2tog, *K4, K2Tog* twice) around – 96 sts

Knit 6 rnds.

(Now is a good time to switch to working in the round with 2 circular needles.)

Dec Rnd 2: *K2tog* around – 48 sts

Knit 8 rnds.

Dec Rnd 3: *K2tog* around – 24 sts

Knit 2 rnds.

Dec Rnd 4: *K2tog* around – 12 sts

Cut yarn leaving a tail. Weave tail around through 12 remaining live stitches and cinch tight. Weave through 12 sts at least 5 – 6 times.

Weave in your tails. Be sure to weave in your tails really well so that your bag can hold up to being used often!

 

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