Irocknits!
Felted Backpack By Cori Eichelberger Yarn: 1100 total yards of a $100\%$ wool, not a superwash. Yarn is used single throughout. Sample knit with Cascade 220: 2 skeins of MC, turquoise #9421; 1 skein of CC1, orange gold #7825; and 1 skein of CC2, purple #7808. Needle: Size 11 $(6.5\;\mathsf{m m})$ 24 inch circular needle & Two size 11 $(6.5\;\mathsf{m m})$ double pointed needles for handles Notions: 1 marker Gauge: Loose! The gauge doesn't have to be exact since you are felting. 12 sts and 18 rows $=4^{\mathfrak{N}}$ (10 cm) in St st. Finished Measurements: After felting: approx. 10" high X 12" wide X 5 %2" deep Abbreviations: $\mathsf{S S K=}$ slip, slip, knit, (slip all stitches as if to knit) CO $=$ cast on $\mathsf{K}=$ knit $\mathsf{P}=\mathsf{p u r l}$ $\mathsf{K2\dag09=}$ knit twostitchestogether St st $=$ stockinettestitch $\mathsf{M C=}$ main color ${\sf C C}=0$ contrast color $\mathsf{M}\mathsf{1}=$ 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. However, since the bag is felted, the knitter may use any decrease method as the stitches will not show. On size 11 (24-inch circular) needles cast on 40 sts with MC. Working back and forth, knit 48 rows (or 24 ridges) (garter stitch). Bind off. Pick up around four sides of bottom rectangle of backpack. Start on the long edge. (38, 22, 38, 22) (total 120 stitches) (Knit 76 rounds if making backpack in one color without stripes and then begin at Round 77 of pattern below.) Striping pattern: Knit 1 round MC. Change to CC2 and knit 5 rounds Change to CC1 and knit 5 rounds Change to MC and knit 5 rounds Change to CC2 and knit 3 rounds Change to CC1 and knit 3 rounds Change to MC and knit 3 rounds Change to CC2 and knit 15 rounds Change to CC1 and knit 15 rounds Change to MC and knit 15 rounds Change to CC2 and knit 6 rounds Round 77: K6, K2tog around. This will bring in the top slightly. (105 stitches) Round 78: (making sure to begin on long side of rectangle) K10, cast off 3 sts, K10, cast off 3 sts, K13, cast off 3 sts, K4, cast off 3 sts, k13, cast off 3 sts, k10, cast off 3 sts, k13, cast off 3 sts, k4, cast off 3 sts, K4. Diagram for drawstring hole spacing: (# of stitches between holes, $\mathsf{H}\mathrm{=}$ hole) 10H 10H 9 4 HH4 HH 4 4 9 H10 H9 Round 79: Cast on (or make) three stitches over the top of each hole to close. Round 80: Knit one round plain. Bind off. Purple/Pink Novelty Striped Backpack: Stripe with one strand of novelty yarn added to the wool rows 14, 15 & 16 all the way up. Add 3 rows of novelty yarn to the wool on the bottom of the flap. Add six rows of novelty yarn to the wool when beginning and ending drawstring. Flap (Optional: any color) Pick up 34 stitches across the long rectangular side of bag with CC1, orange-gold. Knit in stockinette stitch for 21 rows, ending with a wrong side row. In the next row, K1, K2tog, knit across to last three stitches, K2tog, K1. Knit three rows in stockinette stitch. Repeat this by decreasing on every fourth row three times more. (26 stitches) Immediately after the $4^{\mathrm{th}}$ decrease row, knit in garter stitch the next four rows. Bind off. Straps (Make 2. Any color.) Using double pointed needles, C0 9 stitches with MC, turquoise blue. K5, YF, sl4, turn Repeat until 26 inches or 85 rows have been worked. Bind off. Handle (optional and any color.) Using double pointed needles, CO 5 stitches with MC, turquoise. K3, YF, sl2, turn. Repeat until 33 rows have been worked. Bind off or leave live stitches. Drawstring (Any color) Cast on 3 sts with CC1, orange-gold. Work 75 inches of l-cord\*. Bind off by K2tog, K1 and pull end of yarn through the two last two stitches, draw up. \*I-cord Directions: With size $10\,\%$ or 11 dpn's, cast on 3 stitches. Don't turn work. Slide the 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 reaches the needed length. Finishing: See diagram below. Attach straps by sewing to bottom outside corners of rectangle and to the top on the inside of two back drawstring holes. The top strap placement will touch in the middle. You may either sew the handles on or pick up stitches and knit the handles to the picked up stitches with a two needle bind off. Attach handle to outside of two back drawstring holes. Weave in all loose ends.
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 backpack 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 usually do much as felting often 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. Kudos! This bag was test knit by knitting friend, Sharon Dintaman, who made meticulous notes and comments and helped to improve this pattern greatly. A great big thanks! $@2002$ All rights reserved. This pattern was written for personal use, please honor the copyright. Irocknits! Designed by Cori Eichelberger 8595 Kelzer Pond Drive Victoria, MN 55386 rossandcori@earthlink.net
