LITTLE BAGS WITH HUGE POSSIBILITIESfiles.constantcontact.com/a51ad17a001/3d898f26-3e... · Enter the festive little ornamental gift bag, small enough to knit quickly, festive enough

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LITTLE BAGS WITH HUGE POSSIBILITIES


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‘Tis the season for investing only a little time but reaping huge gift-giving results.

Enter the festive little ornamental gift bag, small enough to knit quickly, festive

enough to look very special as a gift, and fun to knit. For a daughter, how about an

iPod cover?, for a friend, how about an evening clutch?, for a mother, how about an

eyeglass case?, and, for you, well, why not? These little bags lend themselves to a

multitude of variations in terms of size and shape. The smaller ones can be knit in

an evening but you probably won’t want to just knit one.

All bags have been worked in k2p2 Fair Isle rib to give the bags bones while

simultaneously creating an interesting, almost mosaic-like, surface that

accommodates virtually any kind of worsted-weight yarn. Double up thinner yarns

or blend two different yarns together – experiment!

Not comfortable with Fair Isle rib? Try working a swatch and using

Knittinghelp.com for guidance. It’s free and very helpful. The key, however, is to

work two different yarns at a time, one color for purls, one color for knits, while

carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work and catching the yarn in a loop

in as even a tension as possible. It may take a bit of practice but the mosaic-like

results are well worth the effort.

DIMENSIONS

The design for each bag is basically the same in terms in that each uses knit and

purl ribbing but I’ve illustrated and given directions for two main sizes hoping you’ll

catch on to how to enlarge or adjust the pattern for your own needs. Though I

rarely use swatching, such preparation could be useful here to get a sense of the

dimensions of your own concoction of yarns. Then it’s simply a matter of gauging

the number of cast-on stitches necessary to create your preferred width. Length

is simple because all that’s necessary is to knit until you’ve reached desired length

while factoring in that each purse is essentially one long piece of knitting folded in

half with a flap.


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STASHINGS

These bags beg to be

festive. A little sparkle, a

little light-catching

luminescence, and you’ve

maximized their ornamental

appeal. Though any possible

yarn combination can be

used, consider giving your

bags a bit of backbone with

at least one crisp ribbon.

Many yarn manufacturers

and designers carry a ribbon designed to look like a diva while performing like a

beast of burden.

Crispy ribbons with good B.O.B potential include Judi&Co’s Luminesse, a sturdy

rayon with bands of twinkling lurex as well as many of her other varieties. Since

Judi originally designed her ribbons for bag-making, their hand-dyed loveliness

come with a sturdy hand. As of this writing, Noble Knits has a good selection of

Judi’s masterpieces.

For a more economical option, consider Louisa Harding’s Suri ribbon which has the

same luxe look without a hefty price tag. Other ribbons to include are the silky,

glossy ones like Trendsetter Segue or BagSmith’s hand-dyed silk versions, both

available at Yarnmarket.com. Whatever your choice, ribbons can be found at every

price.

Along with your diva ribbon, consider balancing a mix of matt and gloss yarns among

the diva ribbons’ supporting players. I’ve used wool, mohair, silk, cotton and even

cashmere. Truly, the real issue here is color more so than fiber and since only small

quantities are needed, here’s a chance to use your stash.


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COLOR

Chances are you have favorite colors with bits and balls of yarn in these hues

hanging around your stash. Pull them out and put them in a basket to observe for

awhile. It’s very likely that at least half of everything cohabits well with

everything else. Consider building on these hues for your bags and maybe only

adding a ribbon if need be.

The bags shown focus on different shades of two or three colours all in the same

medium tone. For instance, the iPod/Blackberry/eyeglass case features purple,

turquoise and green with slight variations as a result of the yarns’ hand-dyed

personality. All the colors selected, however, remain in the same mid-tone family

with no lights and brights.

Though I’ve kept the color story subtle, you can make yours pop with electric hues

or slink into evening sophistication with black. Choosing your yarns is half the fun

but, if you find this part makes your teeth ache, consider emailing my friend,

Jackie, who has a yarn store in her house and works with me to supply custom kits

for knitters working on my designs. She can be reached at [email protected] and

would be happy to put together a kit for you.

EMBELLISHMENT

I’ve never met a bag that did thrill to a little fancying up. Since these are

ornamental bags, no need to keep their lights dimmed. Consider a gorgeous button

for closure or a glittery bead for the end of a flap. Beading with seed beads along

the ribs’ grooves could certainly enhance sparkle and intrigue as could applying a

crocheted or knitted flower (Nicki Epstein has the best garden here). There’s

simply no end to the possibilities.

BAG ONE: The iPod/Blackberry/cell phone/eyeglass case/ evening pouch bag

mailto:[email protected]


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A little bag nests in the cedar fronds

Materials

1 set of size 6mm/US 10 straight needles

Tapestry needle

Beads if desired

Measurements

The version pictured measures 6”/15cm deep with a 4”/10cm flap. Before folding,

the piece measures 18”/46 cm.


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Stashlings

The exact yarns I used include small quantities (less than 1/8 of a hank) each of:

Judi&Co’s Luminesse in Purple Orchid

BagSmith’s Emerald silk

Fiesta’s Starlight LaBoheme in Clematis

Fleece Artists silk&wool blend in turquoise

Judi&Co ¼ inch rayon in Pine

Judi&Co. Curly Black ribbon in Moss

Berocco’s Softwist in violet

*With the exception of Judi&Co, most of these yarns are available at Yarnmarket.com.

Plan your color selection in terms of alternating the two main shades across each

row in ribs of knit and purl. For example, I’d knit two stitches in purple and then

change to turquoise for the two purls, alternation the two yarns across each row.

Tailor this little pouch to whatever shape you want. Mine is just big enough to give

my i-phone a safe and stylish nest and my favorite beads a luxurious home but a

few less cast-on stitches would create an equally lovely eyeglass case.

Step One

Decide what kind of shape you’d prefer: long and narrow (eyeglass), a chubby

rectangle as per the i-phone/bead case shown or an entirely different shape

according to preference. Use the following gauge for cast-on calculation (or make

your own swatch): approximately 4 stitches per inch worked over k2p2 using

alternating ribbon and worsted-weight yarn.

With the first yarn, preferably a sturdy wool or cotton, cast on your

required number of stitches. For my bag, I used 20 stitches. An eyeglass

case would probably take 12.

Knit 1 row.

On 2nd row, add in a second color, preferably a ribbon alternated by the yarn

you began with, to begin k2p2 rib.


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Repeat this k2p2 pattern in these colors for 5 rows, making sure that

stitches knit on the reverse are purled on the right side and stitches purled

on the reverse are knit on the right side so that you are creating textured

stripes in your work.

Change yarns, experimenting with different yarn combinations for your knits

and purls. By alternating glossy yarns with those with more texture, you’ll

create surface interest. Work in groups 5 rows each while changing yarns

and textures until within four inches of your desired length. End final group

with ribbon yarns.

Begin binding off one stitch at the beginning of every row to make the

pointed flap. When down to the last stitch, cut both yarns and draw the tails

through the final loop, tugging to secure.

FINISHING

Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Depending on how adept you are at Fair

Isle, this part will be either a minor matter or a task best done with a cup of

tea in a favorite chair.

Press lightly with the steam setting.

Lining

I lined my bag with an old silk scarf though

satin, velvet or even cotton would work well.

Remember that the sturdier the lining, the

sturdier the bag.

To begin, lay your pressed knitting on

top of the lining fabric and cut

around the outside edges.

Fold down approximately ½ inch/1 cm

around the edges and press gently.

Arrange your knitting wrong side up


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and place the folded lining right-side up on top. Sew in place all around the

edges using small stitches.

Sew together

Fold the bag inside out with sides together and sew together sides, reinforcing

corners on either side of the flap. Turn right-side out and press again gently.

Tuck Band

The tuck band is the band that crosses the front of your pouch to secure the flap.

These can be as elaborate as you choose, from fancy embroidered ribbons to

beaded bands to the simple two ribbons I used here. You could even knit your band.

Embellishment

Feel like beading your pointy end? The results really lift this bag to a whole new

level. Word of warning, however: if your bag plans to be slipping in and out of other

purses, those beads could become an inhibition. For an evening pouch, on the other

hand, the beaded point is a perfect idea.

Add a bead to the pointed end, use beading or regular thread. Secure the

chosen bead by bringing the needle up through the point before making tiny

anchoring stitches followed by a knot to secure.

Or, use a big-holed bead as I have and draw the yarn tails through the hole

and tie a knot under the bead to secure.

Straps

For the evening bag option, straps are an option. Use either purchased cording or

make your own i-cord as follows:

Using double-pointed needles:


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Cast on 3 stitches and knit to the end of the row.

Without turning your work, slide stitches back to beginning of needle and

knit back across

Repeat until cord reaches desired length.

Bind off until one stitch remains on the needle.

Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail before slipping loop from the needle and

drawing the tail through loop. Pull tail to secure.

BAG TWO: Ornamental Clutch

Ornament Clutch posing with Japanese Maple


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Materials

1 set of size 5mm/US 8 straight needles

Tapestry needle

1 ornamental button

Beads if desired

Measurements

The version pictured measures 14”/36 cm deep with a 5”/13 cm flap for a total

length of 21”/53 cm.

Stashlings

As with the smaller bag, look for a mix of sleek and grassy textures such as

ribbons and mohairs, tapes and silks/cottons, with a touch of sparkle. Knit two

strands together of your thinner yarns to maximize the hand: these bags benefit

from knitting thick on thinner-than-usually-recommended needles, in this case

5mm. For instance, I doubled my silk with the Dune mohair.

The exact yarns I used include small quantities (with one exception, less than 1/8

of a hank) each of:

¼ hank Judi&Co’s Luminesse in Tortoise or try Louisa Hardings Sari ribbon in

color 20, a near-perfect match

Tili Tomas Pure&Simple in Ginger

Great Adriondack’s Chamois in Paprika

Trendsetter Segue ribbon in Moss

Trendsetter Dune in copper/moss

Curious Creek’s Kalahari in Savanna Grasses

Curious Creek’s Oban in Savanna Grasses

Curious Creek’s Etosha in Savanna Grasses

Patagonia hand-dyed chunky cotton (now extinct) in green

Colinette Giotto in Lichen

Fleece Artist Double Sea Silk in bronze


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Instructions

With any sturdy yarn (I used Colinette Giotto), cast on your preferred number of

stitches. I cast on 38 for the dimensions described above.

Row 1: Knit 1 row

Rows 2-12: Add in another yarn in a contrasting shade to the first. Here, I’m

using browns and greens so the yarn I chose for the alternating purls is the

Patagonia cotton in moss green. Begin K2P2 rib, keeping the first yarn for

the knits and the second yarn for all the purls to create the colored ribbing

featured in the design. Carry the unused yarn behind your work, Fair Isle

style, keeping tension even and looping the used yarn in the loops (see photo).

Repeat this k2p2 pattern in these colors for 10 rows, making sure that

stitches knit on the reverse are purled on the right side and stitches purled

on the reverse are knit on the right side so that you are creating textured

stripes in your work.

Rows 13-63 (or to length desired): Repeat this k2p2 pattern, changing yarn

groupings every 10 rows. Experiment with different yarn combinations for

your knits and purls. Alternating glossy yarns with more textured varieties

increases surface interest.

Row 64 (or to within 3 inches of the end and well into the flap): begin

changing yarns every 5th row and make a buttonhole large enough for your

chosen closure midway across (I bound off 8 stitches to accommodate my

choice).

Rows 65-: Continue working one last group of 5 stitches before knitting a

final row in a single color and binding off.

Finishing

Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Depending on how adept you are at Fair

Isle, this part will be either a minor matter or a task best done with a cup of

tea in a favorite chair.

Press lightly with the steam setting.


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Lining

I lined my bag with a piece of velvet though satin, silk or even cotton would work

well. Remember that the sturdier the lining, the sturdier the bag. If making straps,

affix straps BEFORE completing lining.

To begin, lay your pressed knitting on top of the lining fabric and cut around

the outside edges.

Fold down approximately ½ inch/1 cm around the edges and press gently.

Arrange your knitting wrong side up and place the folded lining right-side up

on top. Sew in place all around the edges using small stitches.

Sew together

Fold the bag inside out with sides together so that you have an overhanging flap

approximately 5” long. Sew together sides below the flap, reinforcing corners on

either side. Turn right-side out and press again gently.

*Straps (apply before lining)

If you choose to change your clutch to a shoulder bag, either purchase cording or

make your own i-cord as follows:

Using double-pointed needles:

Cast on 3 stitches and knit to the end of the row.

Without turning your work, slide stitches back to beginning of needle and

knit back across

Repeat until cord reaches desired length.

Bind off until one stitch remains on the needle.

Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail before slipping loop from the needle and

drawing the tail through loop. Pull tail to secure.

To attach the straps, sew each end as invisibly as possible to either corner of the

bag just above the flap. If you find this cause the bag to sag in the middle,

consider knitting a reinforcing band 1.5” wide equally the width of the bag which


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slips under the flap between the lining and the bag and sewn into place. By

attaching the cords or straps to this reinforcement instead of the bag directly,

the bag will better hold its shape.

A little pouch for jewels…

*PLEASE CHECK JANETHORNLEY.COM FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

INFORMATION FOR THIS OR ANY OF MY PATTERNS OR EMAIL

ME AT [email protected].


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LITTLE BAGS WITH HUGE POSSIBILITIESfiles.constantcontact.com/a51ad17a001/3d898f26-3e... · Enter the festive little ornamental gift bag, small enough to knit quickly, festive enough