Day 7: Last But Not Least - Free Knitted Bag Pattern

PROJECT NO. 7  Last but by no means least this is the last free knitting pattern to celebrate National Knitting Week.  I hope you have enjoyed these free patterns....but fear not!  This will not be my last free project.  Keep checking my blog for other crafty things to make.

This bag has a classy closing flap and a practical shoulder strap and is great for everyday use.  This project has been taken from The Knitter's Bible: Knitted Bags by the wonderful Claire Crompton.

Knitted bag

This version of the basic pattern has the addition of a closing flap and a practical shoulder strap. The flap is knitted in garter stitch so will lie flat rather than curling up, and the same stitch is used for the strap.

MEASUREMENTS
Finished bag measures 8in (20.5cm) wide
and 9in (23cm) high

GATHER TOGETHER…
Materials
1 x 3½oz (100g) ball of medium-weight
(aran) wool tweed yarn (175yd/160m per ball)
in blue-green
1 x 7⁄8oz (25g) ball of super-fine-weight mohair/silk mix yarn (229yd/210m per ball) in jade

Needles and notions
1 pair of size 10½ (7mm) needles
1 pair of size 10 (6mm) needles
Large button or brooch

GAUGE
12 sts and 18 rows to 4in (10cm) measured over st st using size 10½ (7mm) needles and one strand of yarn A and two strands of yarn B
held together

Knit note: One strand of yarn A and two strands of yarn B are used together to make a thicker yarn. Make sure that you work through all three strands for each stitch.

Knit your bag…
Front
Using size 10½ (7mm) needles, cast on 24 sts.
Work in st st (1 row k, 1 row p), starting with a k row, until front measures 8½in (21.5cm) from beg, ending with a k row. **
Knit 3 rows.
Bind off purlwise.

Back
Work as given for Front to **.

Shape flap
Work 15 rows in g st (every row k).
Dec 1 st at end of next and every foll alt row
to 4 sts, ending with a WS row.
Button Loop Row Bind off 3 sts, cast on 8 sts.
Bind off loosely.

Strap
Using size 10 (6mm) needles, cast on 5 sts
and work in g st for 40in (101.5cm).
Bind off.

To finish…
Join side and base seams. Sew ends of strap onto each side of back at top. Sew end of button loop down. Fold flap over as if to close bag, mark position of button. Sew on button.

For more bag patterns check this book out:

Don't forget to let me know what you think by leaving me a comment.  Or why not email me some pictures of what you have knitted mariefoster13@googlemail.com

Happy Knitting