Finished Size: approx. 9" w x 12.5" I x 4" d (medium)/11"w x 15.5" I x 4" d (large) Materials: 2 (3) balls of Katia's Paper, 24" size 8 and 9 circular needles, stitch markers, tapestry needle. Abbreviations: K-Knit P-Purl K2tog - Knit 2 together St(s) - Stitch(es) sl - slip ssk - (slip, slip, knit) Slip the next 2 sts knitwise onto the right hand needle, put the left hand needle into the front of the two sts on the right hand needle, then knit the 2 sts together p2sso - Pass 2 slipped sts over Base: With smaller needle, cast on 15 sts. K 70/94 rows (35, 47 garter ridges). Bind off, but do not fasten off.
Bag:
Using larger circular needles, 35/47 sts from side of base, pick up and k 15 sts from cast on edge, 35/47 sts from other side of base and 15 sts from bound off edge. Place a marker. (101/125 sts) P 1 round, k 1 round twice. P 1 more round. Mesh pattern: Rounds 1 and 3: K Round 2: K1 \*yo, sl 2 sts knitwise, k1, p2sso, yo, k1; repeat from \* around. Round 4: Ssk, yo, k1, \*yo, sl 2 sts knitwise, k1, p2ssp, yo, k1; repeat from\* around, end yo, k2tog. Repeat round 1-4 until bag measures 11/14" from pick up. Change to smaller needle, \*k 1 round (decreasing 1 st on first round only), p 1 round; repeat from $^\star\,5\times.$ (5 garter ridges) (ending 13 sts before marker). Bind off next 13 sts purlwise, bind off 37/49 knitwise, k next 11 sts, place on a holder, bind off 39/51 knitwise. Do not fasten off, pick up and knit into the first bind off st, pass last bound off st over this st, pick up and k 10 more sts (11 sts on needle)
Strap:
Work garter st (k every row) on these 11 sts for about $20"$ (or desired length). Keep in mind handle will stretch when bag is full. Hold rs of strap to the right side of bag and using a 3 needle bind off, bind off bag sts from holder with handle sts. Make sure handle will not be twisted when bind off is complete. [Three needle bind off: Place right sides together, purse sts on holder and strap sts on needle. K2tog (1 st from each needle) $_{2\times.}$ \*Pass first st on right needle over 2nd st. K2tog (1 from each needle). Repeat from \* until all sts are bound off.]
