My Best Friend's a Dork: the string bag.

My contribution to the revolt against the plastic sack. String bag inspired by this one.

materials:

approximately 250 yards of dk weight cotton, linen, hemp, or fiber of choice. If making a long shoulder strap, more yarn may be required.

US#4 16"circular and double points, or appropriate size to match gauge.

US#11 24"circular, or appropriate size to match gauge.

Crochet hook (optional) I just use my knitting needle when doing the cast on, but the linked tutorial shows a crochet hook. Use whatever you prefer.

gauge:

22sts=4 inches in ST st, on smaller needles.

14sts=4inches in ST st, on larger needles.

You can change the bag dimensions by changing the gauge.

This bag is knit from the bottom up. the smaller circs are used for the bottom of the bag, and then they are switched out for the larger ones.

Cast on 8 stitches using Emily Ocker's circular cast on. Transfer evenly to size 4 double points.

round 1: *k1, yo* repeat to end of round.

round 2 and every even round: k1 round

round 3: *k1,yo,k3,yo* repeat to end of round

round 5: *k1,yo,k5,yo* repeat to end of round

round 7: *k1,yo,k7,yo* repeat to end of round

Continue knitting 1 round on evens, and increasing on the odds, as in previous rounds until you have 120sts. Switch to #4 circular when convenient. At this point I just want to remind you to mark the end of the round if you have not already.

(bottom of bag)

k 3 rounds plain.

next round: *k1, yo* repeat to end of round

next round: using larger circular, *k1, drop yo* to end of round.

next round: knit 1 round.

Begin Turkish stitch.

Note: The transition between rounds will look a little different than the rest of the lace pattern.

(transition detail)

Turkish stitch

Rnd 1: (K2tog, YO) around.
Rnd 2: (YO, K2tog) around.
repeat rounds 1 and 2.

Continue in pattern until you have about 12 inches of Turkish stitch pattern.

(detail of turkish stitch)

HANDLE OPTIONS

clutch handles

*(k2tog) 15times k30* repeat to end of round

work in garter (k 1 round, P 1 round) until you have 4 ridges, ending with a purl row.

*k 15, bind of 30 VERY LOOSELY.* repeat to end of round.

next round: *p 15, cast on 20* repeat to end of round.

Work in garter (k 1 round, P 1 round) until you have 4 ridges, ending with a purl round.

BO all sts loosely

shoulder strap

*(k2tog) 15times, pm, k30, pm* repeat to end of round

work in garter (k 1 round, P 1 round) until you have 3 ridges, ending with a purl round.

next round: *k1, k2tog* 5 times, bind of 30 VERY LOOSELY.* repeat to end of round.

Work one set of 10 sts in garter stitch until strap is 16" long or desired length. Graft to other set of 10 sts.

(My example is slightly shorter with an extremely shortened shoulder strap.)

My sincerest thanks to Scattered Gemini for test knitting for me. There will be a little something dropped into the mail for you very soon. (I'm waiting for a little something I picked up to arrive, to include.)

Enjoy. If you decide to make one, I'd love to see it. Send me a picture or link at:

pinkerbell44 AT gmail DOT com