At regular intervals we will provide a new project in one of the many subjects that WS Touchbase covers.

Please feel free to download this and have fun.

Customise your own knitted bag!

Knitted bags are ideal for using unusual yarns as a little goes a long way. Textures always make their way to the wrong side, so use the WS for maximum impact with textured yarns.

Handles/straps need to be very firm, a tight I-cord will work, or firm tension Stocking st, Moss st, or Garter st.

This pattern for a simple Stocking Stitch bag can be knitted plain or striped, you can customise it by adding coloured bobbles, sewing on decorative buttons, or a knitted flower.

You will need:
Approx 150gm of DK (double knitting) yarn
3.25mm and 4mm needles
Two 3.25 double-point needles for I-cord strap
Fabric for lining (optional)

This pattern makes a bag approximately 20cm / 8" long x 16cm / 6 ½" wide. You can easily adjust this by casting on extra stitches or working extra rows.

Knit two pieces the same (a front and a back)

Using 4mm needles cast on 35sts
Work in Stocking Stitch (plain or striped) for 18cm / 7¼", ending with a WS row.

Change to smaller (3.25mm) needles
Work 2cm / ¾" in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for the top edge.

Cast off loosely and evenly.

I-cord strap
Using 3.25mm double point needles cast on 5 stitches.

Knit across these five sts, DO NOT TURN WORK but push the stitches back along the needle, pull the yarn end across the back of the stitches and knit across the five sts.

After a few centimetres your stitches will form a tube, like that made by French Knitting dollies. If you want to see this in action, go towww.dnt-inc.com/barhtmls/knit/Icord.html where there is a brilliant animation of I-cord knitting.

Repeat this until your strap is the length you want it. I made mine 150cm / 59" so it can be worn across the body. Cast off.

To make up
Place the back and front together, with right sides facing, and Back stitch around the side and bottom edges. Darn in or secure any loose ends.

Stitch the I-cord strap ends securely at each side of the top edge, taking the I-cord 2cm / ¾" down inside the bag.

Lining (optional)
Use the bag as a template to cut out fabric lining (an old cut up T-shirt works well), in one strip, allowing for a small seam allowance at the sides and a 2cm / ¾" turning at the top edges. The finished lining should come to the bottom of the Garter edging.

Sew up the side seams, then fold the top edge turning to the wrong side. With the lining seams facing out, slip the lining into the bag. Slip stitch the lining in place along the underside of the Garter edging.

Use multi-coloured bobbles, embroidery, appliqué, or beading to personalise your bag. You could use a picture chart that fits the available stitches and work the bag in Intarsia, as shown in the Scotty dog bag.