The Tote Bag was pictured in
the recently published book
Morehouse Farm
Merino Knits
but without the pattern.
So, here is the pattern —
enjoy knitting the tote!
TapeTote
Size: About 11" wide, 11" tall, and 6" deep
(after felting).
Yarn: Left-over wool yarn—mix and match
weights, colors, and lots. You'll need
about 1800 yards if you are using
sport weight yarn (using 4 skeins
simultaneously for thickness) or,
1400 yards of worsted weight yarn
(and using yarn triple).
Needles: Circular needle #10, 24" long
Gauge: 3 stitches = 1 inch (before felting)
over stockinette stitch, but gauge is
not important; if you knit the bag
tight, there will be less shrinkage
when felting it.
Other Materials:
Plastic measuring tape, for straps
Swatches from previous projects, used as decoration
Fabric glue
Darning needle with sharp point and strong thread
The bag is knit in the round, starting at the top.
If you are using sport weight yarn, knit with 4 skeins simultaneously.
If you are using worsted weight, work with 3 skeins simultaneously.
Cast on 112 stitches. Join and *purl 1 round, knit 1 round, repeat from *
for total of 6 rounds. Next round: knit 20 stitches, increase 1 stitch,
knit 36 stitches, increase 1 stitch, knit 20 stitches, increase 1 stitch,
knit remaining 36 stitches and increase 1 stitch – total of 116 stitches.
Knit until bag measures about 12 to 13”. Purl next round.
Bottom: *knit 19 stitches, bind off next 2 stitches, knit 35 stitches,
bind off next 2 stitches; repeat from *. The bottom of bag is worked
as 4 separate flaps. After felting, the flaps are folded in—one on top
of the other—then glue or stitch flaps together. So the bottom of the bag
will be 4x as thick as the rest of the bag. This makes a sturdy and firm
bottom and the bag will keep its shape even loaded with knitting books.
You’ll be working back and forth in stockinette stitch (knit on right side
and purl on wrong side). Work the 19-stitch flaps to width of
bag—about 12” long. And work the 35-stitch flaps to depth of
bag—or about 6˝” long.
For a neat edge at the four corners, pinch 2 stitches together
(the stitches that you bound off before beginning bottom part)
and sew them together.
Darn in ends. Then felt bag in washing machine.
Add colorful swatches from some of your previous projects
and felt together with bag. When bag and swatches are completely dry,
fold in the 4 flaps (see illustration) and sew or glue them together.
Add swatches to front of bag (sew or glue). Then cut the measuring tape
into 2 lengths for straps and attach them to bag
(sew them on with strong sewing thread).
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SM
