lrocknits!
Quick and Easy Tri-colored Felted Handbag By Cori Eichelberger & Carol Thompson Yarn: approximately 400 yards of $100\%$ wool (Eg. Manos use 3 skeins) Yarn is used double throughout. The two sample bags pictured were knit with Manos$100\%$ pure wool.Sample Black/Green bag colors used were #8 black; “D" spruce; #68 chartreuse. Sample Pink bag colors used were #66 poppy; #61 rhubarb; #47 cerise. 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 $=4^{\mathfrak{s}}$ in St st. Finished Measurements: After felting: approximately 7" high X 9" wide Abbreviations: $\mathsf{S S K=}$ slip 1 stitch, slip another stitch, knit the 2 stitches together thru the back $\mathsf{C O}=$ cast on $\mathsf{K}=$ knit $\mathsf{P}=\mathsf{p u r l}$ $\mathsf{K}2\mathsf{t o g}=\mathsf{k}$ nit two stitches together St st $=$ stockinette stitch MC $=$ main color $\mathsf{C C}\mathsf{1}=$ contrast color #1 $\mathsf{C C}2=$ contrast color #2 $\mathsf{M}\mathsf{1}=$ 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. Cast on 30 stitches of MC and knit 22 rows (11 ridges) of garter stitch for base of bag. Cast off. Do not break yarn. Pick up stitches on circular needle around all four sides of base. (11, 30, 11, 30) (total 82 stitches) Place a marker to mark beginning of round. Continue in St st. (on circular needles knit every round) for a total of 36 rounds. Stripe pattern 10 rows of MC, 13 rows of CC1, 13 rows of CC2. At round #28, (\*K10, K2tog\*) around, repeat from $^\star5$ times, end K8, K2tog. Continue knitting. (Note: If you are adding novelty yarn to the top of this bag, start at round30.) At round #36, (\*K10, K2tog\*) around, repeat from $^\star5$ times end K3. Bind off.
I-cord Handle: Make 2.
With dpn's and two 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 20 inches. To finish cord bind off. Attach the two handles to the (inside) top of the bag with an overhand whip stitch approximately 15-20 stitches apart on longer side of bag.
Green flap:
CO 15 stitches. Knit 12 rows K1, K2tog K9, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K7, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K5, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K3, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K1, SSK, K1 Cast off. Sew flap onto bag before felting. Pink flap: CO 20 stitches Knit 16 rows. Then add bead K1, K2tog, K14, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K12, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K10, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K8, SSK, K1 K1, K2tog, K6, SSK, K1 (Cast off here for a more flat/rounded tip) K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1 Cast off. Sew flap onto bag before felting. Weave in all ends.
Beaded Embellishments: (optional)
Place beads on yarn first. Cast off 1 stitch slide bead over both strands of yarn. Repeat till end of round. Placement of beads will depend on size and number of beads you choose to include. In next round, M1 over top of bead placement. For larger beads, cast off 4 stitches, slide bead. In next round. make 3 stitches over top ofbead.
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. Kudos! This bag was knit by my new knitting friend in Virginia, Carol Thompson, who only started knitting last year and is now my number one source of inspiration and enthusiasm and is also my walking partner and friend. $\ @2003$ 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
