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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