I am finally finished the Felted bag pattern.

So here it is.

Cora

Cora’s Felted Tote Bag
Copyright 2007 Cora Shaw

Inspired by Ari’s Felted Tote Bag and the Little Partition Bag. I loved both of these patterns. However the partitioned bag was to small for my needs and I really like to be able to organize my knitting bag as I often use it as a purse. So I used the best of both bags to make my bag. I also will be adding some pockets for my cell phone and for my wallet and other little day-to-day necessities.

I used the following for my bag:

Yarn:
Cascade 220
· #2445 Dk Green Heather-2 skeins (MC)
· Optional: #9407 lt Green Heather-1 skein (to be used with A for the pockets)
Patons Classic Wool
· #252 Tree Bark Mix -2 skeins (A)
Noro Blossom: (40Gr.Skein/70meter) 40% Wool, 30% Kid Mohair, 20% Silk Nylon 10% Nylon
· # 12 (could be 21) (B)
You will be holding both A and B together when it is time…
Option: Chunky waste yarn for adding in the holes for the pockets.
Option: 4 Decorative beads or buttons. I used 4 wooden cat beads from a Halloween necklace package.
US 11/8mm 30"/76cm circular needle
1 US 11/8mm double pointed knitting needle
4 stitch marker, 1 a different color from the other 3.

· With two strands of main color (green) cast on 20 stitches. Working back and forth to make a flat piece of knitting, work stockinette stitch for 29 rows. (Knit one row, purl the next row)
This is where it switches to add a centre partition.
· On the 30th row knit, increasing one stitch in every stitch so that you have 40 total stitches.
· On the 31st row, (K1, slip 1 to alternate needle held in front of the work)* to end of row. When the row is finished you should have 20 stitches on your primary needle and 20 stitches on the auxiliary needle.
· Switch to the new set of stitches, knit in stockinette stitch until you have reached Row 54 of the bag. Don’t bind off. This is ½ of the center partition for the bag.
· Repeat the last 3 instructions. Bind off using 3 needle bind off.
· Return to stitches on primary needle. Continue in stockinette stitch until you have 60 rows total.

With knit side facing you, place blue marker on right hand needle and pick up 27 stitches along the long side of the knitted rectangle; place another blue marker and pick up 20 stitches along the cast-on edge; place another blue marker and pick up 27 stitches along the other long edge of the piece, place red marker and the partition should be pointing up through the square formed by the needles.

Work the sides of the bag.
Begin knitting in the round; knit 55 rounds of stockinette stitch (knit every round) continuing to use two strands of yarn; at the same time increasing 4 stitches every 4 rounds placed as follows:
Increase Round: Slip red marker, increase in first stitch by knitting into the front and back of the stitch, knit to 1 stitch before first blue marker, increase in this stitch, slip blue marker, knit to second blue marker, slip marker, increase in next stitch, knit to 1 stitch before third blue marker, increase in this stitch, slip marker, knit to red marker.
At the same time: You will be attaching the partition as follows:
Knit side 20 stitches. Switch to large side. Knit 13 stitches. Increase one stitch by picking up stitch in between the first and second edge stitches in the bottom/base row of the partition. Knit the remaining stitches on the first long side.)* Repeat to * 1 time. There should now be 95 stitches on the needles.
**(Knit side 20 stitches. Switch to large side. Knit first 12 stitches. K2tog. Pick up stitch from partition as described in previous instruction line. Knit remaining stitches). Repeat process for back and second long side.)** There should now be 94 stitches on the needle. Of course this will change by 4 stitches on the increase rows.
Continue in this fashion until the partition is joined. If you are wanting pockets you will need to decide where to place them and how many you want.
Round 56: Change to main color and knit all stitches.
Round 57: Purl all stitches.
Round 58: Knit.
Round 59: Purl.
Round 60: Knit.
Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.

Make the handles.
Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 5 stitches and work back and forth in garter stitch (knit every row) until the strap measures about 6'/2m long. Bind off.
Or, if you're in a hurry like I was, you can crochet an alternate handle:
Using a double strand of yarn and a size K/8mm crochet hook, make a chain about 6 feet (approx 2 meters) long.
Row 1: Starting in second chain from hook, single crochet in each loop of chain. Chain one, turn.
Row 2: Single crochet in each single crochet. Cut yarn and pull thru loop to fasten off.
The handle strap will be cut to length after felting.
Time to felt it.
Now throw the bag and the handle strap in the washing machine with a bit of detergent and a pair of jeans or other durable low-lint laundry items. Use the settings for high agitation, low water level, hot water wash and cold rinse. You will probably need to do this at least 2 times, depending on the machine.

It has shrunk a little bit more in height than in width. Different yarns shrink differently when felted, so the proportions of your bag may not be exactly the same.

The handle strap has shrunk to about 4'/3.25m long, but after tugging on it and stretching it out as much as it will go it ended up at about 5'/2.5m long.

Stuff both side with towels and shape. Let Dry. Hang the handle strap over your shower curtain rod to dry. Drying takes several hours. I left mine to dry overnight.

When the pieces are dry it's time to assemble the bag.
Take the long bag handle strap and trim the ends to make them square and even. Fold the strap in half to find the center and cut it in half. Now you should have 2 handle straps of the same size.

If you have made crocheted handles, you will notice that they curve. That's because the chain shrinks more than the single crochet does. This is ok, and it actually helps to pre-shape your handles for you.

Now decide where you want your handles to be attached. You will want to use the vertical line of increases as your guide for placing the ends of the handles, but how far they overlap the top edge of the bag is up to you. The shorter the overlap, the longer the finished handle. The longer the overlap, the shorter the handle and the more support for carrying heavy objects.

Once you decide exact placement of the handles, you will want to sew them in place. You may use matching yarn and a tapestry needle to do the job or you may prefer to use a sewing machine for strength and durability. Once the handles are attached, the bag is complete. At this time if you are using a button or wooden beads. You will attach them to the handle now. Enjoy!

Close up of the Decorative Bead.