Felted Floral Bag

Knit a versatile wool bag with bright floral accents. This pattern from Patons is for the beginning knitter and fun for everyone.

MATERIALS

• Patons® Classic Wool
  • (100 g/3.5 oz; 205 m/223 yds)
• Main Color (MC) (77044 Mercury) 2 balls
• Contrast A (77307 Wisteria) 1 ball
• Contrast B (77531 Currant) 1 ball
• Contrast C (77435 Water Chestnut) 1 ball
• Contrast D (00212 Royal Purple) 1 ball
• Contrast E (77223 Lemongrass) 1 ball
• Contrast F (00240 Leaf) 1 ball
• Circular Knitting Needles: size 5 mm (U.S. 8) 16 ins [40 cm] long.
• Doubltpointed Needles: set of four size 5 mm (U.S. 8) or size needed to obtain tension.
• Toggle.
• Piece of cardboard 2 x 4 ins [5 x 10 cm].
• Fabric marking pencil.

MEASUREMENTS
Approx 12 ins [30.5 cm] wide x 10½ ins [26.5 cm] high excluding handles (after felting).

TENSION
19 sts and 25 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

INSTRUCTIONS
Beg at center of Base, with MC and set of 4 needles, cast on 8 sts (2, 2, 3 sts). Join in rnd placing a marker on first st.
1st and alt rnds: Knit.
2nd rnd: *Inc 1 st in next. Rep from * around. 16 sts.
4th rnd: *Inc 1 st in next st. K1. Rep from *
around. 24 sts.
6th rnd: *Inc 1 st in next st. K2. Rep from * around. 32 sts.
8th rnd: *Inc 1 st in next st. K3. Rep from * around. 40 sts.
Cont in this manner, inc 8 sts evenly around following alt rnds until there are 112 sts, changing to circular needle to accommodate inc sts when necessary. Place marker at end of last rnd.
Cont even knitting in rnds until work from marker measures 8 ins [20.5 cm].
Next rnd: *K12. K2tog. Rep from * around. 104 sts.
Next rnd: Purl.
Next rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 3 times more. Cast off.
Important to know before felting
• Record all the measurements and changes before and after felting. You will be able to adjust the method to produce proper results.
• Always test a sample. Different colored yarns may felt differently.
• Colorfastness can be affected by very hot water.
• Any knitting that has been properly felted becomes very dense and matted.
How To Felt
• Using low water level, run a Hot/Cold cycle for 5 to 15 min. Add a pair of old jeans for agitation.
• Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda for a small load. After one cycle, check for size. Repeat if necessary.
• Run through the rinse and dry spin cycle.
• Do not use a clothes dryer.
• Shape piece to correct measurements.
• Lay felted piece on a dry towel, away from direct heat or sunlight.
• If an edge ripples, baste a thread through the edge and gather in.
Remove the thread after the felting is dry.

Handles (make 2).
With MC and set of 4 needles, cast on 10 sts (3, 3, 4 sts). Join in rnd placing a marker on first st.
Knit in rnds until work from beg measures 21 ins [53.5 cm]. Cast off.

Button Loop
With 2 strands of MC, cast on 32 sts. Cast off loosely.

Plain Posy (make 1 each with A, B, C and D).
Cast on 48 sts.
Beg with a knit row, work 6 rows stocking st.
Next row: (RS). *K8. Rotate left-hand needle clockwise 360 degrees (see photo). Rep from * across ending with K8 – 6 ‘petals’ made.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 24 sts rem.
Next row: *P2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 12 sts rem.
Next row: *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 6 sts rem. Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end tightly through rem sts.

2 Color Posy (make 2 each with D or A as Color 1 and A or D as Color 2) (make 1 each with B or C as Color 1 and C or B as Color 2).
With Color 1, cast on 48 sts.
Beg with a knit row, work 6 rows stocking st.
Next row: (RS). *K8. Rotate left-hand needle clockwise 360 degrees (see photo). Rep from * across ending with K8. Break Color 1.
Next row: With Color 2, Purl.
Next row: *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 24 sts rem.
Next row: *P2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 12 sts rem.
Next row: *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 6 sts rem. Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end tightly through rem sts.
Leaf Pieces (make 1 each with E and F).
Cast on 48 sts.
Work 10 ins [25.5 cm] in stocking st ending with a purl row. Cast off.

FINISHING
Felt all pieces.
Note: Felted posies should coil naturally into correct shape without sewing. After felting, coil into correct shape before laying flat to dry.
Sew on Handles having ends 1 inch [2.5 cm] inside top edge. Fold toggle loop in half and attach to top edge of Bag at center back. Sew sides of loop tog approx 1¼ ins [3 cm] from fold. Sew toggle to front to correspond to loop.
Trace leaf template onto cardboard and cut out cardboard. Using cardboard and marking pencil, trace 10 leaves onto each Leaf Piece. Cut out shapes. Attach 2 leaves (1 of each color) to center back of each posy. Arrange 10 posies around top edge of bag as shown and sew in position.