Difficulty Rating
Easy intermediate.
Suggested Yarn
Any worsted weight yarn in a feltable animal fiber (wool or alpaca). Try either of these: RowanSpun DK( $100\%$ wool, no pink or yellow but try 3 50g skeins of 746 Sugar Almond [A], 2 skeins of 747 Catkin [B] and 1 skein of 739 Icy [C] or Classic Elite's Inca Alpaca ( $100\%$ alpaca, also no pink or. soft yellow but try 2 skeins of Primitive Purple [A], 2 skeins of Cala Cala Green [B] and 1-2 skeins of Vine Yellow [C]). 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 (or any storebought, currently available) yarns for Belle
Needles
Size 6 circulars in both $24"$ and 36" OR size to get gauge.
Gauge
$5\;{\mathsf{s t s}}=1"$ in stockinette stitch (foll stripe chart). NOTE: Be sure to knit a swatch at least $4^{\textrm{\scriptsize m}}\times4^{\textrm{\scriptsize m}}$ 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'l know your starting gauge throughout. One size, determined by the felting process. See schematic for prefelted measurements.
Size
Base of Bag
Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Knit into the front and back of each st $(\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\!+\!\mathsf{B})$ 4 sts. Row 3: Knit. Row 4: $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B},$ , 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. Stripe chart
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 $\mathsf{P=}$ purl ${\mathsf{S K P}}=$ slip one, knit one, pass the slip stitch over the knit st $\mathsf{S S K=}$ slip next two stitches knitwise, then insert the other needle into these two sts from front to back, then knit these 2 sts together st $=$ stitch $\mathsf{r e p=}$ repeat rem $=$ remain, remaining
Body of Bag
Beginning at one of the points of base (still with A), 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 (see photo at lower right, top). Next Round: Place marker (PM), switch to B, K 73 sts, PM, continue to end. Next Round: Still using B, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B},$ K to last st before marker, $\mathsf{K}1\,\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}.$ , slide marker, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ , K to last st before marker, $\mathsf{K}1\mathsf{F}\mathrm{+}\mathsf{B}$ (82 sts). Next Round: Switch to C, K to end of rnd. Next Round: Switch to A, K to end of rnd. Continue in this way, repeating these 4 rnds, increasing 1 st on either side of each marker every 4 rnds and continuing the stripes, until piece measures ${10"}$ from beg of stripes section (see photo at lower right, bottom for detail of increases at beg of rnds). Also: change to $36"$ circular needles when necessary. 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 .s $20.5"$ 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.
Flower Embellishment (optional)
Using one of the stripe colors or a bit of another (wool or alpaca) color from your stash, knit (or crochet) one or more flowers from a good knitting reference book like Knitted Embellishments by Nicky Epstein (Interweave Press, 1999). Belle sports the Basic Flower on page 18 and the Aspen Leaf on page 35.
Felting
Put ll 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 (Il used a Rubbermaid 2384) and pin the straps and flower(s) flat. Keep in place until completely dry.
Finishing
Using tapestry needle, sew straps, flower(s) and leaf (or leaves) on according to photo or your own personal preference. If desired, sew in optional zipper as explained in the fre Elle pattern.
Designer's Note
Thisbag is Elles litte sister, created for those whoaren't quite readyforzippers and fairisle.Ihoeyu enjoy!
