The smocking stitch is not only elegant, but fun to knit. It will give your bag style and a fun flair that will make others ask where they can buy their own Vitamin Chic!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 13.5” wide x 9” height
Gauge: 2 sts and 4 rows = 1” square in Stockinette St
Materials
Yarn:
Lion Brand Hometown USA (100% Acrylic; 81 yards [74 meters]/142 grams): Syracuse Orange, 2 skeins.
Needles: US size 11 (8 mm): 22-30” circular
Notions: Tapestry needle; Cable or straight needle in comparable size; Sewing thread and needle; one 1” button; Everything Mary leather handles (approx. 13 inches)
Special Stitches
Smocking stitch: Slip the next 6 stitches onto cable or straight needle to the front, wrap working yarn around 6 stitches 2 times, working off of cable needle, k2, p2, k2 to complete stitch.
Pattern Notes
The bag is made in one panel and sewn together in sections to finish.
Pattern
CO 72 sts.
Rows 1-5: *K2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 6: *Smocking Stitch (see Special Stitches), p2; rep from * to end.
Rows 7-11: *K2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 12: K2, p2, * Smocking Stitch, p2; rep from * to last 4 stitches, k2, p2.
Rows 13-17: *K2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 18: Rep Row 6.
Rows 19-23: *K2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 24: Rep Row 12.
Rows 25-28: *K2, p2; rep from * across.
Base
The base is worked in 2 sections
Section 1
Row 29a: BO 2 sts, k32, pm.
Row 30: TURN, leave remaining loops on cable unworked, p32.
Row 31: K32.
Row 32: BO 32. Fasten off yarn.
Section 2
Row 29b: Join yarn at the first unworked st, BO 4 sts, k32, BO 2.
Row 30: P32.
Row 31: K32.
Row 32: BO 32.
Button Strap
CO 5 sts.
Rows 1-20: Knit.
Row 21: K2, BO 1, k2.
Row 22: K4.
Row 23: BO.
Finishing
Assembly
Using the yarn needle, sew the side of the bag together.
Next, sew the base together. The seam of the side will be placed at the center of the base and sew the side of the base together. Sew the opposite side to the side of the base.
Using yarn needle, sew each of the handles onto the bag evenly onto each side.
Sew the button strap onto the back center of the bag. Using the sewing needle and thread to sew the button into place.
Block as needed.
Thanks so much for this pattern. I can’t wait to knit one.
I haven’t made this, but I think it is those 6 on the cable needle.
Sorry to be a bit slow – in the smocking stitch, when you wrap around 6 stitches, are they the same 6 that you just put on the cable needle? Or the next 6? Or some other random group? Thx
What is there for a stabilizer to keep this big bag from stretching when weight is added? Lining of some kind of a non-stretchable fabric would accomplish this. Other suggestions would be nice.
It looks great. I am excited!