Free Patterns

FELTED "NO RULES" BAG
Designed by Robin Smith, Suggested by Andrea Jones

Materials:
300 (450, 700) yds of a variety of same-weight wools of different colors. Must be 100% wool, alpaca, or mohair in order to felt. Worsted or dk weight works well, but bulky can be used, resulting in a much heavier bag. (Shop example uses a combination of Jo Sharp and Mountain Colors 4/8's wool.) Size 8 circular needles (#11 on bulkier wool), 24"-29" length. Finished size of bag will vary with felting. The sizes before felting are approx. 13" W X 14" H (16" W X20" H, 22" W X 24" H) to yield approx. 11 X 11 (14 X 15, 19 X 20) after felting. It is important to note that the bag will felt MORE in height than width.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cast on 130 (150, 170) sts. Join in a circle, taking care not to twist. Place st marker to mark the beginning of the row. With your first color, Round 1: K, Round 2: P, Round 3: K, Round 4: P, Round 5: K, Round 6: P, Round 7: K, inc 10 sts evenly across the first row - 140 (160, 180) sts total, Round 8 and all rem rounds to the bottom: K. Remove the marker - it doesn't matter where the beginning was now! Start changing colors whenever and however you like (this is the "no rules" part!) The shop example changes about every 1", but sometimes you have a scrap that looks wonderful and only takes up a row or two. When changing colors, simply knit with the two colors held together for about the last 10" of the old color and the first 10" of the new. It will all be felted so there is no reason to worry about loose ends. They will be well-anchored with this new technique. Knit around, changing colors when you wish, until your bag is the desired height. Remember, it will felt more in height than width, so make it tall enough! When you are happy with the size, start the bottom. You can choose any decrease you like from the options below, but the square bottom option helps the bag stand up on its own.

Envelope or flat, pointy finish: Cast off all sts and sew bottom opening closed.
Round bottom: As for any basic hat pattern decrease, Round 1: Place marker, * K8, K2tog * all around. Round 2: K, Round 3: *K7, K2tog * all around. Round 4: K. Continue in this manner, knitting one st less in the odd-numbered rows until you have about 16 sts and can run a needle with yarn through the rem sts.
Flat bottom (like a lunch bag: K 56 (66, 76) sts. Cast off rem sts. On the rem 56 (66, 76) sts, K back and forth for 28 rows (14 garter ridges), then cast off sts. This garter st flap becomes the bottom of the bag. Sew the edges of the flap to the edges of the bottom of the bag.

STRAPS (make 2):
You can use the #8 circular needle, but a couple of #8, 9 or 10 dpn's are easier. The straps can be one or multicolored. Cast on 2 sts. Rows 1, 3, 5 (WS): K. Row 2: K into the front and back of each st (4 sts). Row 4: As for Row 2 (6 sts). Row 6: As for Row 2 (8 sts). K 4 rows. Work 1-cord: Next row: * K8, do not turn. Slide sts to the opposite end of needle. Rep from * until strap measures 24 (28, 34)". Turn work. K 4 rows. Then Rows 1, 3, 5 (WS): K. Row 2: SSK, K4, K2tog (6 sts). Row 4: SSK, K2, K2tog (4 sts). Row 6: SSK, K2tog ( 2 sts). Row 7: K, bind off.

TO FELT:
Place the bag and straps in a zippered cloth bag or old pillowcase. If you don't have these, you can put them straight in the washer, but realize that you will have some lint and color bleeding. Set your washer on the lowest water setting and on a hot water wash. Put the wool item in with a Tbsp of dish or laundry soap and and old towel or pair of jeans. Let agitate for 4 mins, then check. If will feel different, but if it hasn't changed enough, agitate for 2 mins more. Check every 2 mins. Then set machine ahead to a cold rinse and let it spin for a minute. The larger the item, the faster it felts, so the straps might take longer because they are smaller. Sew the straps on after felting anywhere on the bag that you want to. HAVE FUN!

 

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