Materials

Riverstone 100% Wool by Louet, Light/Worsted Weight
193 yards/100gm skein
2 skeins each of Neptune, Willow, Lilac, Blue Mirage, Charcoal & goldilocks
8 buttons - 4 on outside of bag, 4 smaller buttons on inside to reinforce external buttons. (These buttons are from www.thebuttoncompany.co.uk)
Contrasting Zip.

8mm (US #11)circular needles

Pattern notes

Follow stripe pattern as listed

for base

13 rows blue mirage
5 rows Neptune
18 rows lilac

for body

2 rows lilac
20 rows Neptune
8 rows charcoal
13 rows lilac
20 rows blue mirage
8 rows goldilocks
5 rows willow
5 rows charcoal
5 rows willow
5 rows neptune

Pattern

Bag bottom (knit straight)

With 2 strands of blue mirage, cast on 61 sts using 8mm (US #11) circular needle commencing with a purl row, and following stripe pattern above, work 36 rows in stocking stitch.

Next row (RS): Purl
Next row (WS): Knit

Without casting off commence picking up stitches around the base - pick up 22 sts along side of base, pick up 61 sts along cast on edge, 22 sts on second side (166sts, including stitches already on needle.)

Now begin knitting in the round using 1 strand of yarn and also creating stripes for 89 rounds following the stripe pattern above. Cast off.

Straps (Make two) - See below for alternative method

With 8mm (US #11) needles and using double yarn throughout cast on 8sts and work in stocking stitch for 48 inches (122 cm). Use up yarn as suits. We have one two coloured strap and one single coloured strap.

Stitch bag handles ON as shown in photo. Darn in ends.

Straps (Version Two)

Rather than knitting straps separately, whilst knitting body of bag, knit an extra 30 rows before casting off, then after felting trim the strap widths off the top of the bag before sewing in the zip.

Felting

Place in washing machine with an old lint free towel and wash at boil wash for 1 cycle only.
Shape bag after spinning and dry thoroughly.

After Felting

Stitch zip into top of bag as shown. Sew buttons into place as shown. Insert cardboard base.

This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold.  Copyright © Chrissie Day 2008

Photography: Susan Crawford,
  Charlie Moon
Model: Danielle Griffiths