SIZE: One Size
Finished diameter About 5 in. (12.5 cm)
Finished height About 9 in. (23 cm)
GAUGE:
22 1/2 sts = about 4 in. (10 cm) over slip st pattern on Bag Body.
When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
Making a Gauge Swatch
STITCH EXPLANATION:
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M1P (make 1 st as if to purl) An increase worked by lifting the horizontal strand lying between the needles and placing it onto left needle. Purl this new stitch through the back loop – 1 st increased.
Sk2p Slip 1 st as if to knit, knit the next 2 sts together, pass slipped stitch over – 2 sts decreased.
S2kp (slip-2-knit-pass slipped sts over)
A centered double decrease worked as follows:
1. Insert right needle as if to k2tog, and slip the next 2 sts from the left needle to the right needle.
2. Knit the next st.
3. With tip of left needle, lift the slipped sts (the 2nd and 3rd sts on right needle) up and over the knit st and off the needle – you have decreased 2 sts.
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STITCH PATTERN
K1, p1 Rib (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: K the knit sts and p the purl sts as they face you.
Rep Row 2 for K1, p1 Rib.
NOTES:
1. Base of Bag is worked first, then sts for Body of Bag are picked up on Base. The Handle is worked separately.
2. Body of Bag is worked in a slip stitch pattern with 2 colors of yarn.
3. Base and Handle are worked with 2 strands of yarn held together.
4. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches on the ruffle edge of the Bag. Work back and forth in rows on the circular needle as if working with straight needles.
5. Flowers and leaves are worked separately, then sewn to Bag.
6. Inside support for the Bag is created with cardboard and an empty soft drink bottle.
BASE
With straight needles and 2 strands of B held tog, cast on 70 sts.
Row 1 (WS) and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 2: *Sk2p, k11; rep from * across – 60 sts.
Row 4: *Sk2p, k9; rep from * across – 50 sts.
Row 6: *Sk2p, k7; rep from * across – 40 sts.
Row 8: *Sk2p, k5; rep from * across – 30 sts.
Row 10: *Sk2p, k3; rep from * across – 20 sts.
Row 12: *Sk2p, k1; rep from * across – 10 sts.
Row 14: *K2tog; rep from * across – 5 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long yarn tail.
Thread yarn tail through remaining sts and pull to gather.
Knot securely.
BODY
From RS with A and straight needles, pick up and k87 sts as evenly spaced as possible around outside edge of Base.
Note: When working Rows 1-8 of pattern, slip all sl sts as if to purl. Do not cut yarns between color changes, carry unused color up the WS of the work.
Row 1 (WS): With A, k1, p1, *sl 5 wyib, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: With B, knit.
Row 3: With B, k1, p to last st, k1.
Row 4: With A, k1, sl 3 wyib, *insert needle under the loose strand of Row 1 and knit the next st bringing st out under strand to catch strand behind st; sl 5 wyib; rep from * to last 5 sts, end knit next st under loose strand, sl 3 wyib, k1.
Row 5: With A, k1, sl 3 wyib, *p1, sl 5 wyib; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1, sl 3 wyib, k1.
Rows 6 and 7: With B, rep Rows 2 and 3.
Row 8: With A, k1, *knit next st under loose strand of Row 5, sl 5 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, end knit next st under loose strand, k1.
Rows 9-96: Rep Rows 1-8.
Cut A.
Row 97 (Increase Row WS): With B, (p29, M1P) twice, p to end of row – 89 sts.
Ruffle Edge
With B, work in K1, p1 Rib for about 1/2 in. (1.5 cm), end with a WS row as the last row you work.
Change to circular needle when working Row 1.
Row 1 (RS): K1, *p1, M1P, k1; rep from * to end of row – you will have 133 sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8: K the knit sts and p the purl sts as they face you.
Row 3: K1, *p2, M1P, k1; rep from * to end of row – 177 sts.
Row 5: K1, *p3, M1P p, k1; rep from * to end of row – 221 sts.
Row 7: K1, *p4, M1P, k1; rep from * to end of row – 265 sts.
Row 9: K1, *p5, M1P, k1; rep from * to end of row – 309 sts.
Row 10: Rep Row 2.
Cut B.
With A, knit 2 rows.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Twisted Cord Handle
With 2 double pointed needles and 2 strands of B held tog, cast on 5 sts.
Knit the 5 sts. Do not turn work.
Rows 1-4: Slide sts to other end of needle and knit them, pulling yarn tightly across the back of the work, (do not turn work).
Row 5: Slide sts to other end of needle, k1, sl next st to cable needle and hold in front, k2, k1 from cable needle, k1.
Rep Rows 1-5 until piece measures about 15 in. (38 cm) from beg.
Bind off.
Rose
With B and straight needles, cast on 37 sts.
Rep Rows 1-8 of Ruffle (109 sts total).
Bind off.
Coil the piece into a spiral rose, then sew a few sts through base to secure.
Leaves (make 3)
With A and straight needles, cast on 15 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K6, s2kp, k6.
Row 2: K6, p1, k6.
Row 3: K5, s2kp, k5.
Row 4: K5, p1, k5.
Row 5: K4, s2kp, k4.
Row 6: K4, p1, k4.
Row 7: K3, s2kp, k3.
Row 8: K3, p1, k3.
Row 9: K2, s2kp, k2.
Row 10: K2, p1, k2.
Row 11: K1, s2kp, k1.
Row 12: K1, p1, k1.
Row 13: S2kp.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Assembly
Cut a 15 in. (38 cm) length of the wider ribbon. Press each end of ribbon 1/4 in. (.5 cm) to WS.
With sewing needle and thread, sew long sides of ribbon to inside of Bag at base of ruffle edge, with one short (folded) end of ribbon at each side edge of Bag.
Leave folded ends of ribbon unsewn. This sewn in ribbon will become the casing for the drawstring.
Sew sides of Base/Body tog to make the Bag, leaving the ruffle edge unsewn.
Sew rose and leaves to Body.
Beg at one open end of casing, draw narrower ribbon through the casing for drawstring. Trim ribbon ends.
Sew ends of Handle to sides of Bag at base of ruffle.
Slip cardboard circle into bottom of Bag. Cut soft drink bottle to about 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm) high. Apply masking tape over the cut edge to keep it smooth.
Slip bottle into Bag.
ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES
beg = begin(s)(ning) k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl
rep = repeat(s)(ing) RS = right side
sl = slip st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together WS = wrong side
wyib = with yarn in back