Knitted Twill Tote Bag
The Knitted Twill Tote Bag is a charming and versatile accessory that combines style and functionality effortlessly. Its intricate knit pattern adds a touch of coziness, while the sturdy twill material ensures durability for your everyday errands or a casual outing. With spacious compartments and comfortable handles, this tote bag is your perfect companion for carrying all your essentials with flair. It's the ideal blend of fashion and practicality that will surely make heads turn as you strut down the street.
5 balls of Purl Soho’s Oleander, 50% cotton and 50% linen. Each ball of this fingering-weight yarn is 205 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 990 yards required. We used the color Pale Jade.
US 4 (3.5 mm), 16- or 20-inch circular knitting needles
US 3 (3.25 mm), 16-inch circular knitting needles
A set of five US 4 double pointed needles
A set of four US 3 double pointed needles
A stitch marker
A size C or D (3 or 3.25 mm) crochet hook and scrap yarn for Provisional Cast On
GAUGE
28 stitches and 60 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern, with yarn doubled (see Notes), using larger needles
25 stitches and 37 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with yarn doubled, using smaller needles
SIZE
Finished Circumference: 22¾ inches
Finished Height: 13¾ inches
Finished Strap Width: 2¼ inches
Finished Strap Length: 20 inches
Handle Drop: 10 inches
NOTES
CONSTRUCTION
You will first work the strap in the round, then attach it as you cast on for the bag. You will work the bag top down in the round, decreasing at the Base to finish.
YARN DOUBLED
You will double the yarn throughout this pattern, pulling two strands together. To do this, we recommend pulling one strand from two balls. For the fifth ball, pull from the inside and outside at the same time.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
KNIT 2 TOGETHER FROM TWO NEEDLES (K2TOG FROM TWO NEEDLES)
Holding two double pointed needles parallel to each other, insert working circular needle from front to back through first stitch on front needle and then front to back through first stitch on back needle. Knit the two stitches together.
STITCH PATTERN (FOR GAUGE SWATCH)
Worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, in the round…
Round 1: *Slip 1 wyif, k2, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *Slip 2 wyif, k2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: *K1, slip 2 wyif, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K2, slip 2 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1–4 for pattern.
PATTERN
STRAP
Using a Provisional Cast On and three larger double pointed needles, cast on 36 stitches. [12 stitches on each needle]
Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: [K1, slip 1 (see Notes) with yarn in back (wyib)] 4 times, k1, [slip 2 with yarn in front (wyif), k2] 5 times, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 3 times, k1.
Round 2: [Slip 1 wyib, k1] 5 times, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 4 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 4 times.
Round 3: [K1, slip 1 wyib] 5 times, k1, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 4 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 3 times, k1.
Round 4: [Slip 1 wyib, k1] 4 times, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 5 times, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 4 times.
Repeat Rows 1–4 until piece measures 20 inches from cast-on edge, ending with Round 2.
Slip 3 stitches from first needle onto second needle, then slip 3 stitches from third needle to second needle. [9 stitches each on first and third needle; 18 stitches on second needle]
Now, slip all stitches from first needle onto third needle. [18 stitches on each of 2 needles]
Cut yarn.
Using three larger double pointed needles, place first 9 Provisional Cast-On stitches onto first needle, next 18 stitches onto second needle, and last 9 stitches onto third needle, then slip all 9 stitches from third needle onto first needle. [36 stitches; 18 stitches on each needle]
BEGIN BODY
Using a basic Long Tail Cast On and leaving a 3-yard tail, cast 62 stitches onto larger circular needles.
Pick up Strap and hold one set of double pointed needles parallel to each other with the twill-textured side of the fabric facing you, *[k2tog from 2 needles (see Notes)] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 3 more times, [k2tog from 2 needles] 2 times. [88 stitches on working needles]
Thread 3-yard cast-on tail onto a tapestry needle and pass it through center of Strap to opposite end in order to use it for remainder of cast on.
Using a basic Long Tail Cast-On, cast on 62 more stitches. Holding remaining set of double pointed needles parallel to each other with the twill-textured side of the fabric facing you, make sure Strap is not twisted and *[k2tog from 2 needles] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 3 more times, [k2tog from 2 needles] 2 times. [176 stitches on working needles]
Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 15 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, knit 2 together (k2tog), slip 3 wyif] 4 times, k1, repeat from * one more time. [168 stitches remain]
Round 2: *[K2, slip 2 wyif] 16 times, [k1, k2tog, slip 2 wyif] 4 times, repeat from * one more time. [160 stitches remain]
CONTINUE BODY
Round 1: *Slip 1 wyif, k2, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *Slip 2 wyif, k2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: *K1, slip 2 wyif, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K2, slip 2 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1–4 until piece measures 10 inches from cast-on edge of Body, ending with Round 1 of pattern.
BASE
Change to smaller circular needles.
Round 1: *K1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [120 stitches remain]
Work in stockinette stitch, knitting every round, for 9 rounds, until piece measures approximately 1 inch from start of base.
Round 2: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [80 stitches remain]
Continue in stockinette stitch for 5 rounds, until piece measures approximately 1½ inches from start of base.
Change to smaller double pointed needles.
Round 3: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [60 stitches remain]
Continue in stockinette stitch for 5 rounds, until piece measures 2 inches from start of base.
Repeat Round 2. [40 stitches remain]
Knit 2 rounds.
Repeat Round 3. [30 stitches remain]
Knit 2 rounds.
Repeat Round 2. [20 stitches remain]
Knit 1 round.
Repeat Round 3. [15 stitches remain]
Knit 1 round.
Repeat Round 2. [10 stitches remain]
Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [5 stitches remain]
Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Sew tail through remaining stitches.
Pull extra taut and bring tail to inside of bag to weave in very thoroughly in order to keep the base of the bag secure.
FINISHING
Weave in remaining ends and wet block.