Difficulty Rating
High intermediate.
Suggested Yarn
Any worsted weight yarn in a feltable animal fiber (wool or alpaca). Try either of these: RowanSpun DK( $100\%$ wool, $3\,50_{9}$ skeins of 732 Chili and 3 skeins of Snowball) or Classic Elite's Inca Alpaca ( $100\%$ alpaca, 6 skeins of Red and 5 skeins of Natural). NOTE: I am not yet sure how much yarn to use, because I used up some old Cotswald handspun from my stash to make this. See my blog^ for details on winning a prize if you are the first to try one of the above yarns (or any storebought, currently available yarn) for Elle.
Needles
Size 6 circulars in both $24"$ and 36" OR size to get gauge.
Gauge
$5\;{\mathsf{s t s}}=1"$ in fairisle stockinette stitch (foll fairisle chart). NOTE: Be sure to knit a swatch at least $4^{\prime\prime}\times4^{\prime\prime}$ and then felt it, using the felting instructions on the next page. Or better yet, knit two swatches and felt one of them, so you'll know your starting gauge throughout.
Size
One size, determined by the felting process. See schematic for prefelted measurements.
Base of Bag
Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Knit into the front and back of each st $(\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1F}\!+\!\mathsf{B})$ 4 sts. Row 3: Knit. Row 4: $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}_{\mathrm{:}}$ , K to last st, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ Row 5: Knit. Rep these last 2 rows until you have 26 sts. Then, work in garter st until piece is 9" from beg. Next row: SSK, K to within 2 sts, K2tog. Next row: Knit. Rep these last 2 rows until 2 sts rem. K2tog, fasten off.
Abbreviations
beg $=$ beginning co $=$ cast on $\mathsf{K}=$ knit $\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1}\mathsf{F}\mathsf{+}\mathsf{B}=$ knit into the front and back of the same st pat $=$ pattern $\mathsf{P}=\mathsf{p u r l}$ ${\mathsf{S K P}}=$ slip one, knit one, pass the slip stitch over the knit st $\mathsf{S S K=}$ slipnext two stitches knitwise, then insert the other needle into these two sts from front to back, then knit these 2 sts together st $=$ stitch rep $=$ repeat rem $=$ remain, remaining
Body of Bag
Beginning at one of the points of base, pick up and knit 21 sts down the side of the point, 36 sts down straight side, 42 sts for opposite point (21 sts for each side of the point) 36 for last straight side and 21 to finish first point—-156 total sts. Join and purl 2 rnds. Next Round: Place marker (PM), K 1 st in color A, then work 76 sts foll fair-isle chart,K1 in A, PM, K1 in A, then work next 76 sts foll fair-isle chart, end K1 in A. Work 3 more rnds in this way, always working 1 st on either side of each marker in A. Next Round: $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ in A, foll chart to last st before marker, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ in A, slide marker, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ in $\mathsf{A},$ foll chart to last st before marker, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ in A (82 sts). Continue in this way, increasing 1 st on either side of each marker every 4 rows and continuing to follow fair-isle chart, until piece measures ${10"}$ from beg of fair-isle section (switch to $36"$ circs when needed). Next Round: (using A), knit. Next Round: purl. Next Round: knit. Next Round: bind off in purl.
Straps (make 2)
CO 6 sts in A. Work 14 rows in garter st. Next Row: SKP, K2, K2tog. Begin I-cord and work until piece is $20.5"$ from beg. Next Row: $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ K2, $\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1F}\mathsf{+B}.$ Work 14 more rows in garter st. Bind off. Weave in ends.
Felting
Put all 3 pieces in a zippered pillowcase and run along with a couple of old towels and/or a pair of jeans in a hot cycle with extra agitation. Repeat until you are happy with the size. Block bag over an appropriately-sized plastic wastebasket (l used a Rubbermaid 2384) and pin the straps flat.
Finishing
Using tapestry needle, sew straps on according to photo or your own personal preference. If desired, sew in optional zipper as follows: 1. Carefully pin zipper to opening of bag, with the right side of the bag facing out. Be sure that your zipper overlaps the opening by at least 1" on either side. 2. Baste top garter ridge to zipper using a contrasting color (you may have to unzip during this step). Remove pins. 3. Unzip zipper and using matching thread and your sewing machine's zipper foot, stitch zipper to bag by stitching in the garter stitch groove on each side of zipper. And according to my mom, it's a good idea to repeat for durability (I did!). 4. Using matching thread, carefully sew the zipper overlap (where the machine can't reach) to the inside of the bag on each side. 5. Remove basting—you're done!
Designer's Note
Thisbagismy firs "selfish desigIcreated it with (mostly my wnneeds and wants in min!Ihope you enjoy it too.
