This bag works up quickly using the garter stitch, but it’s anything but boring! Its fascinating handle technique and ringed tassel accent are the stars of the show — and are so much fun to create! So grab your favorite vintage books and reflect on the days of yesteryear as you work up this timeless bag.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Approximately 10” high x 14” wide x 5” deep
Gauge: 21 sts = 6.5” [16.5 cm] and 13 rows = 2” [5 cm] in Garter st.
Materials
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky (100% Acrylic; 108 yards [99 meters]/100 grams): 28044 True Grey (MC, 3 balls), 28219 Seagreen (C1, 1 ball), 28247 Eucalyptus (C2, 1 ball), 28418 Baby Pink, (C3, 1 ball), 28203 Teal (C4, 1 ball)
Needles: US size 10 (6.0 mm) 9” straight, US size 8 (5.0 mm) 9” straight
Notions: Tapestry needle, two 2 5/8” round metal rings, removable markers, stitch holder, Susan Bates Finishing Needles
Special Stitches
Knit around ring (kar): Insert tip of Right Hand needle from front to back through center of ring, knit next stitch on Left Hand needle, do not remove stitch from Left Hand needle, bring tip of Right Hand needle from back through center of ring to front and over ring, k into same st where last k st was made, remove stitch from LH needle, pass first 2 stitches on Right Hand needle over last stitch made.
Pattern Notes
Weave in ends as work progresses.
I used Susan Bates Finishing Needles to weave in ends because it is super-fast to thread bulky yarns through the very long eye that goes down the shaft of the needle and the needle will collapse slightly when needed to pull through tight areas.
Pattern
Panel (make 2)
With MC, and larger needles, CO 21 sts.
Rows 1-14: K, change to C1 at end of last row.
Next 10 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C2 at end of last row.
Next 8 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C3 at end of last row.
Next 6 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C4 at end of last row.
Next 14 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C3 at end of last row.
Next 6 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C2 at end of last row.
Next 8 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 2 Rows: K, change to C1 at end of last row.
Next 10 Rows: K, change to MC at end of last row.
Next 13 Rows: K.
BO all sts kwise.
Note: Before proceeding, use Susan Bates Finishing needles to quickly and securely weave in all yarn ends at bottom edge of panel.
Bottom Border
Row 1: With Panel bottom edge RS facing, use stitch markers to divide panel into quarter sections, beg at right side edge and with MC, pick you and knit 25 sts across the first 2 quarter sections, k 1 at center marker, k 25 sts across rem 2 quarter sections. (51 sts)
Next 10 Rows: K.
BO kwise. PM in last row at center of each panel
Top Border
Row 1: With MC and opposite long edge of same Panel RS facing, rep Bottom Border Row 1.
Next 3 Rows: K.
Handle Opening Row: K22 and place on stitch holder, BO kwise next 7 sts, k rem sts. (29 sts)
Next Row: K22, CO 7 sts, k sts from stitch holder. (51 sts)
Next Row: K22, ktbl next 7 (CO) sts, k across.
Next 5 Rows: K.
BO all sts kwise.
Base
With MC and larger needles, CO 43 sts.
Rows 1-15: K.
BO kwise. Pm in center of each short end and long edge.
Handle
With MC and larger needles, CO 9 sts.
Row 1: K1, *sl 1 kwise wyib, k1; rep from * across. (9 sts)
Row 2: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * across.
Rep last 2 rows until piece meas 25”, ending on row 2.
BO all sts kwise.
Ring (make 2)
With MC and smaller needles, using a knitted cast on method, CO 28 sts.
Rnd 1: Holding ring in front of LH needle, insert tip of RH needle from front to back through center of ring, k into first st on LH needle, do not remove st from LH needle, bring tip of RH needle back through center of ring to front and over ring, k into same st where last st made, remove st from LH needle, pass first st over last st made, kar in each rem st around, insert RH needle under top lp of first st made at beg of rnd and k this st to join, pass 2nd st over last st made.
Tassel (make 2)
- Cut five 12” strands MC. Fold center of strands through ring and over bottom edge, wrap a 12” strand C4 several times around Tassel and knot tightly to secure. Use needle to weave C4 ends under wraps. Trim Tassel to approx. 2.5” below C4 wraps or as desired.
Finishing
Using MC, seam side edges of Panels together. Pm in side seam at bottom edge.
Matching markers, use MC to sew Base and Panel bottom edge together.
Insert handle through buttonholes in top border. Overlap handle ends around top edge of ring and sew to secure on WS of handle. Tack handle to bottom hole edge if desired.
Weave in any rem ends.