Irocknits!
My Initial Felted Handbag
By Cori Eichelberger Yarn: approximately 500 yards of $^{100\,\circ}$ wool (Yarn is used double throughout.) The sample bags pictured were knit with 3 skeins Cascade 220 #7808 purple with Skacel Peacock #l0 purple (Initial $=$ Reynolds Lopi #212 apple); 3 skeins Patons Classic Wool #77ll6 Denim Marl with Crystal Palace Splash #7188 Seven Seas (Initial $=$ Galway #88） pale yellow; 7 skeins Lion Brand Landscapes (\*see note inpattern） #276 Summer Fields with Lion Brand Fun Fur #109Sapphire (Initial $=$ Patons Classic Wool #223 True Blue)． All three bags were knit with the same number of stitches around the bottom, however, shrinkage variations caused some difference in finished measurements.
Needles:
Size 13 - 24-inch circular needle Size 13 double pointed needles Notions: 1 marker Gauge: Loose! The gauge doesn't have to be exact since you are felting. 11-12 sts $=$ 4" in St st.
Finished Measurements:
After felting: approximately 10" X 13" X 5"and 13" X 15" X 5" Abbreviations: SSK $=$ slip 1 stitch, slip another stitch, knit the 2 stitches together thru the back ${\mathrm{~\mathsf~{~C~O~}~}}=$ cast on $\texttt{K}=$ knit $\mathrm{~\textit~{~P~}~}=\mathrm{~\pu}\boldsymbol{\mathtt{r}}\boldsymbol{\mathtt{l}}$ K2tog $=$ knit two stitches together St st $=$ stockinette stitch MC $=$ main color ${\mathsf{C}}{\mathsf{C}}{\mathsf{I}}\ =$ contrast color #l ${\mathrm{CC}}2\ =$ contrast color #2 $\tt{M1}\;=$ make one stitch (any method is usable) Note: The base of the bag is worked as a complete rectangle and bound off, then picked up around its entirety to insure a symmetrical felted seaming. Also, all decrease stitches in this pattern were made by K2tog. Cast on 40 stitches of MC and knit 30 rows (15 ridges） of garterstitch for base of bag. Cast off. Do not break yarn. Pick up stitches on circular needle around all four sides of base．(l5,40,15,40）(total 110 stitches） Place a marker tomark beginning of round. Continue in St st. (on circular needles knit every round) for a total of 46 rounds. At round #42,(\*K10, K2tog\*） around, repeat from ＊ 9 times,， endK7. (Note: If you are adding novelty yarn to the top of this bag, start now at round 42 by adding the novelty yarn to the two strands of wool.) Continue knitting. At round #44， begin K5, K2tog， then (\*K10， K2tog\*） around,repeat from \* 7 times, end K10. At round #46，(\*K12,K2tog\*） around, repeat from ＊ 6 times, endK3. Bind off. you must make bag taller to compensate for additional shrinkage in length and not in width. Knit a total of 62 rounds. If adding novelty begin at round 58.
I-cord Handle: Make 2.
With dpn's and 2 strands of wool, cast on 4 sts. Don't turn work. Slide these 4 stitches to the other end of the needle so the first stitch on the right is the stitch to be knit.Pull yarn end across back of work and knit across 4 stitches. Slide stitches again and continue knitting 4 stitches until the I-cord measures 32 inches．To finish cord, bind off.Attach the two handles to the (inside) top of the bag with an overhand whip stitch approximately 20 stitches apart on longer side of bag.
Flat strap Handle option:
With dpn's, cast on 7 sts and work in garter stitch for 110 rows.Attach the ends of the handle to the (inside） top of thebag on the shorter ends with an overhand whip stitch (in and out and in and out until secure).Finished felted strap length $=$ approx. 25 inches If in doubt of strap/handle lengths always error on the short side as the handles Can be stretched significantly after felting when wet.
Initial I-cord:
With dpn's and 2 strands of wool, cast on 3 sts. Don't turn work. Slide these 3 stitches to the other end of the needle so the first stitch on the right is the stitch to be knit.Pull yarn end across back of work and knit across the 3 stitches. Slide stitches again and continue knitting 3 stitches until the I-cord measures length needed to make initial on front of bag, finish cord, bind off.Attach the letter to the front of the bag with an overhand whip stitch. Basically and in and out motion along entire center of letter. (Approx 17 % inches for "C") Optional Inside Pocket: Cast on 24 stitches and knit 28 rows in stockinette stitch. Attach on three sides to the inside of bag with an overhand whip stitch before felting. Felting Instructions: Optional: Place the knitted item in a mesh style lingerie bag or a zippered pillow protector to protect your washer from excess lint. Set your washing machine on medium load, hot water and cold rinse. Add liquid laundry soap, the bag and a pair of old jeans or sheets to balance the load and help with agitation. Run one complete cycle. The first cycle won't do much as felting usually takes more than one cycle. After each cycle, shape the bag with your hands a little. Even though it will unshape in the next cycle. After the last cycle, shape carefully with your hands and allow to dry completely. After the bag is completely dry, use a disposable razor to shave off excess lint and fuzz. $\mathcal{Q}2\,0\,0\,4$ All rights reserved. This pattern was written for personal use, please honor the copyright. Irocknits! Designed by Cori Eichelberger 8595 Kelzer Pond Drive Victoria, MN55386 rossandcori@earthlink.net
