GAUGE: 13 sts = 4"; 19 rows = 4" in
St st prior to felting. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.
Measurements prior to felting: 14" wide x
11" high.
BASE: With circular needle, cast on 40 sts. Work
back and forth and Knit 25 rows.
BAG: Pick up and Knit 10 sts across nearest short
edge, 40 sts across cast-on edge, and 10 sts from last short edge
- 100 sts. Place marker on needle and now work in rounds.
Knit every rnd until approximately 10 1/2" above the last base
ridge ending at marker. Bind off.
HANDLE: With the 2 double pointed needles, cast
on 4 sts. Knit one row. * DO NOT TURN. Slide sts to the opposite
end of the needle, move needle to opposite hand without turning
the work and Knit, forming a tube. Rep from * until strap measures
approximately 80"
long. Bind off.
Ruffle: With right side of bag facing, pick up
and Knit 100 sts around the top of the bag; place marker on needle.
Rnd 1: Knit in front and back of each st around
- 200 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit in front and back of each st around
- 400 sts.
Rnd 3: Purl. Bind off in K. Weave in all loose
ends.
FELTING: Place bag and handle in the washing machine
in the smallest load with the hottest water setting and a small
amount of detergent through one wash (agitation only) cycle.
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.
Once satisfied with the felting process allow washing machine to
complete the rinse and spin cycle.
Pull into shape and allow to air dry for 36 to 48 hrs.
Felting will cause a certain amount of pilling which is easily removed
by brushing briskly with a hard nylon brush.
FINISHING: Cut the handle cord in half to form
2 handles.
(Felting process will prevent stitches from unraveling.)
With a sharp knife cut small slits one inch below the start of the
ruffle and 3 1/2" in from each side edge of the front and back
(4 slits).
Insert the end of one handle from the inside of the bag through
a slit; tie the end of the handle with an overhand knot. Repeat
with opposite end of the same handle in the other slit on the same
side (front or back) of the bag.
Repeat on opposite side of the bag with the remaining
handle.
