Cute Summer Party Bag

The Summer Party Bag is the perfect accessory to add a touch of whimsy and style to your summer outfits! Handcrafted with love and care, this bag is not only fashionable but also functional, making it ideal for carrying all your essentials for a day at the beach or a night out with friends. The intricate design gives it a unique and bohemian look that is sure to turn heads and spark conversations wherever you go. With its vibrant colors and sturdy construction, this bag is a must-have for anyone looking to add a fun and playful element to their summer wardrobe.

MATERIALS

• Needles
• (2) US 6 / 4.0mm Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles Circular 16” 
• Yarn
• Urth “Uneek Cotton”
• 100% Mercerized Cotton
• 275 yards/251 meters; DK
• 1 skein

Notions

• Darning Needle 
• Scissors 
• Stitch Markers 

Gauge

28 sts = 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch

(Gauge is not important for this project.)

Finished Measurements

Bag measures about 14 inches / 36 cm from the brim to the bottom (not including the straps) and has a circumference of about 14 inches / 36 cm around the mesh area

Abbreviations

• BO – Bind Off
• bor – beginning of round
• CO – Cast On
• dec – decrease
• LH – left hand needle
• K – Knit
• K2tog – knit two together (1 st dec)
• P – Purl
• RH – right hand needle
• rnd/rnds – round/rounds
• sl – slip one stitch
• sm – stitch marker
• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• YO – yarn over

Notes

The straps are designed to be knit into the bag and to not have to be sewn on later. You will make your first strap and cut your yarn. The second strap will be worked and then the top of the bag stitches will be cast on to incorporate both straps.

Be extra careful to check to be sure you don’t have any twists in your straps or in the top of your bag.

The Pattern

Strap 1

CO 50 sts.

Row 1: sl1, K to last st, P1

Work last row a total of 10 times.

BO all sts. Cut yarn and set aside.

Strap 2

CO 50 sts.

Row 1: sl1, K to last st, P1

Work last row a total of 10 times.

Bind off, but don’t cut yarn. When you have 1 st remaining on right needle, rotate piece 90 degrees clockwise. Pick up and knit 5 sts along edge – 6 sts

Using knitted cast on, CO 30 sts – 36 sts

Pick up 6 sts along other short side of Strap 2. Be careful there are no twists in the strap – 42 sts

Using knitted cast on, CO 15 sts – 57 sts

Grab Strap 1 and pick up and knit 6 sts along short side. To be sure your straps are facing the same direction, the first stitch you pick up should be next to the CO tail – 63 sts

CO 30 sts – 93 sts

Pick up 6 sts along other short side of your Strap 1. Be careful there are no twists in the strap. The first stitch you pick up should be next to your BO tail – 99 sts

CO 15 sts – 114 sts

Place marker to note bor. Join to work in the round. Double check to be sure there are not twists anywhere on your needle.

Rnd 1: Purl

Rnd 2: Knit

Work last 2 rnds a total of 6 times.

Rnd 1: *bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off the needle, K1, YO, K1* around

Rnd 2: K to last st, sl last st to RH, remove sm, return st to LH, bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off needle, K1, replace sm to RH

Rnd 3: YO, K1, *bring 3rd st on LH up and over first two sts and off the needle, K1, YO, K1* to last st, K1

Rnd 4: Knit

Repeat Rnds 1 – 4 until bag measures about 11 inches from garter stitch edge (about 20 repeats) or until bag measures your desired length.

Bottom of Bag

Dec Rnd 1: (K5, K2tog, *K4, K2Tog* twice) around – 96 sts

Knit 6 rnds.

(Now is a good time to switch to working in the round with 2 circular needles.)

Dec Rnd 2: *K2tog* around – 48 sts

Knit 8 rnds.

Dec Rnd 3: *K2tog* around – 24 sts

Knit 2 rnds.

Dec Rnd 4: *K2tog* around – 12 sts

Cut yarn leaving a tail. Weave tail around through 12 remaining live stitches and cinch tight. Weave through 12 sts at least 5 – 6 times.

Weave in your tails. Be sure to weave in your tails really well so that your bag can hold up to being used often!