A simple knit bag that you can customize however you like. The framework for the
pattern is here, and it's perfect for
changing the colors, the stripe sizes, the size and pattern of
the trim at the top...
The mattress stitch at the end is potentially the hardest part, but it's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it. A link is included in the pattern with helpful instructions.
size:
14" high x 15" wide; 3" base
It fits my 13" MacBook and some papers, etc.
materials:
one pair size 9 mm needles/US 13 needles
Tapestry needle
Big cute button!
4 balls yarn:
60m/66 yds Rowan Little Big Wool 50g Shade 504 Amethyst (blue)
60m/66 yds Rowan Little Big Wool 50g Shade 505 Jasper (purple)
60m/66 yds Rowan Little Big Wool 50g Shade 510 Stone (white)
80m/87 yds Rowan Big Wool 100g Shade 27 Best Brown (calls for 12/15mm, but
fine with 9mm) ... you will need more brown wool than this if you follow my pattern, as I literally ran out while binding off. Otherwise, reduce trim height, width of bag, or other use of this yarn in the stripe pattern.
gauge:
11 stitches/4 inches in stockinette
Notes:
- Use a darker color at the top and base of the bag, as these will get the dirtiest.
- One 60m ball gave me 32 rows of stripes before almost running out. Be careful with choosing the lengths of the stripes, to make sure you have enough for the mirror image on t
he other side.
- At the end, using my stripe pattern, I totally ran out of brown, almost ran out of blue, and had a bunch of white and purple left.
- Use k1/p1 or k2/p2 for the trim on top, depending on your preference.
- I carried the yarn on the wrong side for the stripes.
- I used a different color yarn for the bottom of the body as for the base; the transition will be more fluid if you use the same color.
PATTERN:
The bag is knit in one piece. Starting at the top of one side, decreasing on each side to create a square base, a garter stitch base, then increases and mirror image stripes on the other side. Finish by sewing the sides together, then sewing the sides to the base.
CO 44 stitches
Trim:
For 9 rows, repeat *K2, P2* to the end.
Body:
For 44 rows, knit on right side and purl on wrong side; design stripes as desired (see end for my pattern). Be sure to add stripes at the start of the knit row. The minimum stripe size will be 2 rows, one knit and one purl.
On last purl row, decrease by 5 stitches at start, purl 34 stitches, and decrease last 5 stitches at the end of the row.
Base:
The first row should be a knit row (now 34 stitches). Knit every row (garter stitch) for 16 rows. This will give an unstretched base of almost 3 inches.
Other side:
The first row should be a knit row. Use the same color from
the previous side, add 5 stitches, knit 34 stitches, add 5 stitches.
Continue to knit (now 44 stitches) on right side and purl on wrong side in mirror image of the stripes. The last row should be a purl row.
Trim:
Knit one row with darker trim color.
On wrong side, repeat *K2, P2* to the end.
Continue repeat *K2, P2* to the end for 8 rows. Make sure the trim is the same length on each side.
Bind off loosely.
Button clasp:
This is what I came up with. I'm guessing there are prettier ones out there, but this works...
CO 8
Row 1: purl 8
Row 2: knit 8
Row 3: purl 5, pass stitch over, purl 3 (now 7 stitches)
Row 4: knit 2, k2tog, yo, knit 3
Row 5: purl 7
Continue alternating knitting and purling rows until desired length. I continued for 8 rows, bind off.
Using a different color, sew stitch design around the edges.
Finishing:
Use the tapestry needle to sew the sides together with mattress stitch.
** take care to line up stripes, starting at the edges by the base. This link has helpful instructions: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html
Turn inside-out, sew sides to the base.
Sew button clasp and button to the top.
Weave in loose strands.
Line bag as desired.
Customizing ideas:
- change stripe colors
- change stripe sizes
- use different stitches, but be careful of gauge
- change length of trim
- change stitch of trim (k1, p1 or k2, p2, etc.)
- change length/width of bag
- add zipper, pocket, etc.
My stripe pattern:
Trim: brown
6 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows purple
2 rows white
2 rows brown
4 rows blue
6 rows purple
8 rows white
4 rows brown
2 rows white
6 rows blue
Base: brown
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