Carry your essentials in this fabulous textured tote! The aran-weight yarn is held double to give a super chunky fabric that knits up in next to no time. It's just the right size for packing your WIP when you're out and about. If you're a sewing fan, why not add a lining to your bag and strap to help it hold its shape when carrying heavier items.
Design by Nicola Valiji
Measurements & Sizes
31cm wide x 12cm deep x 29cm tall
Yarn: Rico Creative Cotton Aran, shade 43 Patina, ten 50g balls
Needles: 65mm
Button: 4cm
Sewing needle and thread
Tapestry needle
Tension square
• 14stsx19 rows = 10cm x 10cm
• Over pattern (yam held double)
• 6.5mm needles
Knitwise
Rows 2 and 4 of the main stitch pattern for the Front and Back require you to increase twice in the same stitch. To do this, knit into the next stitch but do not slip it from the left needle, move the yarn to the front of the work between the needles, then purl into the same stitch Again, keep the stitch on the needle. Move the yarn to the back of the work then knit intothe same stitch again. Only now do you drop the original stitch from the left needle.
FRONT AND BACK (alike)
Using 6.5mm needles and yarn held double, cast on 44 sts
Row 1 (RS): p
Row 2 (WS): k2, * (k1, p1, k1) all in next st, p3tog, rep trom * to last two sts, k2
Row 3: p
Row 4: k2, * p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) all in next st, rep trom * to last two sts, k2
These tour rows set patt
Work in patt until piecemeas 24cm ending after a Row t
K ten rows
Cast oft
BUTTON BAND
Using 6.5mm needles and yarn held double, cast on 14 sts
Rows 1-5: k
Row 6 (WS): k6, cast oft three sts, k to end
Row 7 (RS): k5, cast on three sts, k to end
K 24 rows
Cast off
STRAP
Using 6.5mm needles and yarn held double, cast on 18 sts
Row 1 (WS): (k1, p1) to end
Row 2 (RS): (p1, k1) to end
Rows 3-4: rep Rows 1-2
Row 5: (k1, p1) to end
Rows 6-9: k
Row 10: (k1, p1) to end
Row 11: (p1, k1) to end
Rows 12-15: rep Rows 10-11 twice more
Rows 16-19: k Rows 10-19 set patt
Work in patt until Strap meas 200cm or desired length
Cast oft
TO MAKE UP
Sew cast-on and cast-off edges of Strap together. Pin or clip Front and Back to Strap, position Strap seam along bottom edge of bag. With wrong side facing outwards, join
Front and Back to Strap. Turn right way out Attach cast-off edge of Buttonband to Back of bag in centre of top edge. Stitch button to Front of bag to correspond with buttonhole Weave in ends.