BeeBopper Knitted Tote Bag

This cute, striped knit bag from Authentic Knitting Board is a great size tote for any age. This works up quickly quickly in stockinette stitch. Center seams down front and back of bag add to unique look.



Finished size=12” wide X 11” high.

Materials:

• Bulky yarn by Lion Brand Yarns, Wool Ease Thick and Quick, in 3 colors. 80% acrylic/20% wool. Main color in Cranberry-(1) skein (108 yards per skein) Strap and stripes in Dk Brown-(2) skeins. Small amount of white for accent stripes
• Knitting board 28 needles (18” or 28”)
• Knit hook for lifting stitches
• Crochet hook for finishing edges
• Darning needle for sewing seams
• (1) 1-2” button for closure

Knitting gauge is 2.5 sts=1”

Knit in (2) pieces for bag and (1) piece for closure

Instructions:

1. Main piece with strap (knit 1): Cast On (28) stitches in Brown using anchor yarn.
    
2. Knit (2) rows.
    
3. At beginning of next row, tie on cranberry. Cut and knot Brown.
    
4. Knit (2) rows. Do not cut Cranberry yarn. Lay aside.
    
5. Next row, tie on White yarn. Knit (1) row.
    
6. Next row, tie on Brown yarn. Cut White.
    
7. Knit (2) rows in Brown. Cut and knot Brown.
    
8. Pick up main color, Cranberry. (you will be sewing the side seam and extra yarn will not show)
    
9. Knit (5) rows in Cranberry.
    
10. Next row, tie in Brown yarn. Do not cut Cranberry. Set aside.
     
11. Knit (2) rows in Brown.
     
12. Tie in White yarn. Cut Brown.
     
13. Knit (1) row in White. Cut and knot the White.
     
14. Pick up the main color, Cranberry.
     
15. Knit (2) rows in Cranberry.
     
16. Next row, tie on Brown. Cut Cranberry.
     
17. Knit (5) rows of Brown.
     
18. Next row, tie on the Cranberry. Cut Brown.
     
19. Knit (3) rows.
     

Decrease Rows:

1. Decrease (1) stitch each end, every row, for (9) rows.
    

Strap:

1. Tie on Brown. Cut Cranberry.
    
2. Knit the remaining (10) stitches for (70) rows.
    
3. Bind Off.
    

Main Piece without strap:

1. (knit 1) Knit this piece the same as the other main piece, only without the strap.
    
2. After doing the decrease in Cranberry, do not tie on the Brown.
    
3. Bind Off the (10) stitches with crochet hook.
    

Closure strap:

1. (Knit 1) Cast On (32) stitches in Cranberry using anchor yarn.
    
2. Knit (3) rows in Stockinette. Cut yarn with 2-3” tail.
    
3. Bind Off. (do this by picking up (3) loops starting at end opposite the yarn attached, alternating boards. Pull loop closest to crochet hook thru other (2) loops. Pick up next (2) loops, one from each board. Pull loop closest to crochet hook thru other (2) loops. Continue across the stitches until only one loop remains. Pull yarn tail thru the last loop for a knot. Pull tails into knitting between the layers of knit.)
    
4. Bind off at anchor yarn for a finished edge on both sides of knitted piece.
    

Sewing:

1. Sew the side edges of the (2) main pieces together for front seam and back seam.
    
2. Sew the end of strap to the top edge of bound off stitches on bag.
    
3. Now lay the bag flat and sew the bottom edge to complete the bag.
    

Button and strap:

1. Fold the strap in half. Sew the inside edges together so that the strap is double wide.
    
2. Leave the looped end of strap open so it can slip over the button.
    
3. Sew the ends of strap to back, center, of bag.
    
4. Attach the button to front of bag at seam. Do this about 2” from top edge. Now, bring the strap forward to lay over the button.