You can knit this bag in the round or as two pieces. Knitting in the round feels like magic: Because you’re always working on the right side, you can produce stockinette stitch without ever having to purl.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The bag in the round took 4 hours to knit.
SIZE
Width: 17¼ in. (44 cm); height: 13 in. (33 cm).
YOU WILL NEED
• 5 x 100 g balls (approx. 17½ oz.) of Sirdar Bigga in Etna, shade 671
• If working in the round: 32-in. (81-cm) long size US 17 (12 mm) circular needle
• If working in 2 pieces: a pair of size US 17 (12 mm) needles
• large crochet hook
GAUGE
7½ sts and 10 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over st-st on size US 17 (12 mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; cont = continue; k = knit; p = purl; RS = right side; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette stitch; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.
BAG IN THE ROUND
Using circular needle, cast on 66 sts. Turn and k 1 row. Making sure that sts are not twisted on needle, join in a round and k every row in st-st until bag measures 13 in. (33 cm).
Shape base. Next round [Bind off 6 sts, k until there are 27 sts] twice. Cont on 27 sts for first side, turn and beg with a p row, st-st 4 rows. Leave sts on needle. Work 2nd side to match.
TO FINISH
With RS together, using a spare needle and taking 1 st from each side together each time, bind off. Sew row ends to bound-off sts at each side of base. Weave in ends. Thread a length of yarn through cast-on edge, draw up slightly, and secure ends. This will strengthen the top edge and stop it from curling.
Handles. Mark a st each side of center 15 sts of one side of bag. Make a core for the handle: Thread yarn through top of bag at one marker, then thread through bag at other marker, leaving a 20-in. (51-cm.) loop. Repeat until core for handle has 6 strands. Overlapping ends at top of handle, cut yarn. Using a large crochet hook, work a row of single crochet over this core. Fasten off and weave in yarn ends. Repeat for other handle.
BAG IN TWO PIECES
1st side Cast on 35 sts. Beg with a k row, st-st until side measures
13 in. (33 cm).
Shape base. Bind off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 27 sts. St-st 4 rows. Leave sts on a holder.
2nd side Work as given for 1st side.
TO FINISH
Join base sts in same way as bag in the round. Join side seams and sew row ends to bound-off sts at each side of base. Make handles in same way as given for bag in the round.
ABOUT THIS YARN
Sirdar Bigga is a 50% wool, 50% acrylic, thick and soft, super-bulky yarn. There are about 44 yds.(40 m) per ball. The colorway shown here is dyed with short bursts of pink, brown, and natural, creating a speckled effect (see page 157 for resources).
TIPS
• If you are knitting the bag in the round, join in each new ball of yarn by knotting the ends. Use a square knot (that’s right over left and under, left over right and under) to make a neat, flat knot. Pull hard to make sure the knot is tight; then, as you knit, make sure the ends are on the wrong side. Trim the ends.
• If you are knitting the bag in two pieces, join new balls of yarn at the sides.