Stitch marker, yarn needle, 11/2" diameter plastic ring, 6"
length of fine (beading) wire, pliers, set of magnetic snaps.
GAUGE: 16 sts = 4"; 22 rows = 4" in
St st with 2 strands before felting. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use
any size needle to obtain the gauge.
NOTE: Felting is not an exact science due to the
many different variables, however up to 25% of the height and 15%
of the width may be lost in the felting process.
BASE: With circular needle and 2 strands of yarn,
cast on 48 sts. K 18 rows. Pick up and K10 sts across first short
edge, 48 sts across cast-on edge, and 10 sts across last short edge
– 116 sts.
BAG: Place marker to indicate beg/end of rnd.
K every rnd until approximately 91/2" above base. P 1 rnd.
K 1 rnd. P 1 rnd. K 1 rnd. Bind off.
Flap: With right side facing and 2 strands of
yarn, at center back of bag pick up and K12 sts. Row 1 (Wrong Side): K2, P8, K2. Row 2: Knit.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 for 61/2". Bind off.
Ring: Using pliers if necessary, twist one end
of the wire around the ring; lay wire across center of ring and
twist around the opposite side of ring, then twist remaining wire
around this laid wire to the beginning. Result should look like
a buckle. Trim excess wire.
With 2 strands of yarn and crochet hook, attach yarn in ring next
to a wire; work sc around ring to cover ring and wire ends completely;
join with a sl st in first sc; now work sc across the wire to the
opposite side. Fasten off.
Weave the end of the flap through the "buckle" for about
1". Following manufacturer's instructions, attach one of the
snap pieces on this section of the flap; fold this section of the
flap to the wrong side and sew in place. Position the other piece
of the snap on the front of the bag to correspond and attach.
Weave in ends.
Handles (Make 2): With 2 double pointed needles
and 2 strands of yarn, cast on 5 sts. Knit 1 row. * Do NOT turn.
Slide sts to opposite end of the needle, move needle to opposite
hand without turning work and Knit. Rep from * until tube is approximately
29" long. Bind off.
Insert ends of handles from the inside of the bag between the 4th
and 5th row from the top approximately 21/2" from the sides;
knot the ends of the handles on the outside of the bag as shown.
FINISHING:Weave in all loose ends.
Felting: Place bag in the washing machine in the
smallest load with hottest water setting and a small amount of liquid
detergent through one wash (agitation only) cycle. (Option:
1 tablespoon of baking soda in the wash may speed the felting process.)
Remove bag and check on amount of felting during this process. Two
or more wash cycles may be needed before you will be satisfied with
the effect. Repeat until pieces are felted and bag is desired size.
Rinse in cold water to stop the felting process and to remove the
soap.
Pull pieces into shape and allow to dry away from sun or heat for
a day or two.
Felting will cause a certain amount of pilling which is easily
removed by brushing briskly with a hard nylon brush.
