A funky stitch, some superwash wool and a few vintage findings make this a quick weekend project. The strap can be a vintage piece of chain, a knit i-cord, a 5-stitch tunisian crochet rectangle or a ribbon. Use your stash of notions to make it your own.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 10.5″ wide x 9″ high x 1” deep
Gauge: 15 sts and 19 rows = 4” [10 cm] square in Stockinette on US 10 (6 mm)
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Tweed (90% Superwash Wool; 7% Acrylic, 3% Viscose; 218 yards [199 meters]/100 grams): 901 Garnet (1 skein)
Needles: US size 10 (6 mm) for sides, US size 7 (4.5mm) DPNs for strap
Notions: US K crochet hook with straight shaft or Tunisian hook of same size, tapestry needle, cable needle, 8″ zipper (to match yarn), sewing thread (to match yarn), sewing needle, fat quarter in coordinated colorway, 24″ cut of Pellon Peltex Shape-Flex Iron-On Woven Cotton Interfacing SF101, scissors, 20 round head pins, pressing cloth, 2 oz of water for pressing, iron, 2 vintage purse clasps 1” diameter, 2 small brass rings 0.25” diameter to attach strap, leather strap or 3’ length of chain for purse strap (optional)
Pattern Notes
Bag is worked in two pieces.
If a leather or alternative strap is used, the remaining yarn may be used for a 3 stitch i-cord bind off along one selvedge edge of each Side.
Pattern
Side (make 2)
Using MC and larger needles, CO 56 sts.
Rows 1 and 3 (WS): Wrapping yarn twice around needle for each st, purl.
Row 2: Letting extra wrap drop on each st, work across row as follows: K1,
*sl next 3 to cable needle and hold in back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle; rep from * last st, k1.
Row 4: Letting extra wrap drop for each st, work as follows: K4, *sl next 3 onto cable needle and hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle; rep from * to las 4 sts, k4.
Rep Rows 1-4 until work measures 11” from CO edge.
BO (see Pattern Notes).
Strap (optional Tunisian Crochet version as shown)
Using left over yarn and US K hook, ch 6 through the middle of the vintage handle hardware to attach it or leave 6” tail for attaching it later. Tunisian knit stitch into second st from the hook and across, return pass.
Repeat until strap measures 48” or desired length or 56” of yarn remain.
Fasten off.
Attach to second piece of vintage handle hardware using tapestry needle, do not cut yarn.
Using a strip of interfacing 1/8” narrower than the strap, iron onto the WS of strap.
Using tail, whip stitch selvedge edges together.
Strap (optional I-Cord knit version)
Using smaller needles, CO 6 sts, leaving 6” tail.
Row 1: Knit 6, slide sts to opposite end of needle, do not turn.
Rep Row 1 until desired length or 6” remain.
Attach I-cord to hardware using tails.
Finishing
If applicable, wash and dry lining material before attaching interfacing.
Block Side pieces using steam.
Cut 4 pieces of interfacing 0.5” smaller in height and width than two knit Side pieces.
Cut 2 pieces of lining fabric 0.5” smaller in height and width than two knit Side pieces.
Pin interfacing to WS of lining, repeat for second panel of lining.
Using pressing cloth and minimal steam, iron interfacing to WS of lining, repeat for second piece.
Pin interfacing to WS of knit piece, repeat for second piece.
Pin interfacing to WS of lining, repeat for second panel of lining.
Using pressing cloth and minimal steam, iron interfacing to WS of knit piece, repeat for second piece.
Allow pieces to cool and interface to set.
With RS facing each other and sewing thread held double, seam along sides and bottom of Sides.
Using sewing thread held double, attach metal rings on corners just below remaining unseamed selvedge edge of bag.
Pin zipper in place along one of the two longer sides along each lining panels with RS facing each other.
Using sewing thread and sewing needle or sewing machine, secure zipper to lining.
With RS facing each other, sew seams along remaining three seams of lining.
Turn knitted bag back so both right sides are facing out and the WS face each other.
Align lining inside the bag and sew seam to join it to the knit panels along remaining selvedge edges of the knit panels. Taking care to not sew the metal rings into the bag itself rather tuck the lining in along the edge thereof so the metal rings can both still be accessed to attach the vintage hardware and strap to the bag.
Attach strap to metal rings.
Enjoy your new bag.
Cute