Sun-Dappled Handknit Handbag

By: Kari Capone

By: Kari Capone

Make a beautiful handknit bag to tote around any time of year.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Approximately 11"/28 cm high x 13"/33 cm wide (not including handles)

PLUS Enter to win the Luxury Yarn and Bag Kit Giveaway as part of our 12 Days of Christmas in July giveaways as well as our 12 Days Grand Prize!

Materials List

YARN: Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus (94% Cotton/6% Nylon, 251 yds/229m per 100 g skein); 1 skein
NEEDLES:
- US 11 (8.0 mm) single pointed needles
- US 15 (10.0 mm) single pointed needles
NOTIONS:
- Bag handles
- 1 stitch marker
- 2 safety pins
- Thread
- Sewing needle
- Darning needle
GAUGE: 10 stitches x 12 rows = 4" square using size 15 needles in the open netting stitch

CONSTRUCTION:

The Sun-Dappled Handknit Handbag is created by first knitting the mesh outer portion flat, using smaller needles for the stockinette stitch and larger needles for the mesh portion of the knitted piece.
Next, the liner is sewn inside the knitted fabric.
Then, you will fold the stockinette sections of the knitted piece around the handles and sewn to secure the handles in place.
Finally, seam the sides of the bag with mattress stitch, and weave in all ends.

DIRECTIONS - KNIT THE BAG:

Starting with US 11 (8.0 mm) needles, CO 39 sts using the Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl
Work Rows 1 - 2 for a total of 10 Rows.
Switch to US 15 (10.0 mm) needles.
Row 3: K2, * yo, k2tog; rep from * to end.
Repeat Row 3 until your work measures 20” long from cast on edge.
Switch to US 11 (8.0 mm) needles.
Work Rows 1 - 2 for a total of 10 Rows.
Bind off all stitches loosely.

DIRECTIONS - ATTACH LINER TO THE BAG:

With the Right Side facing, fold your knitted piece in half and mark with a jumbo stitch marker.
Open knitted work and lay flat. The Wrong Side will be facing you.
Turn the liner inside out (so that you see the pretty fabric when you open your bag!) Using safety pins, pin the liner to your knitted piece so that the bottom of the liner bag aligns with the jumbo stitch marker.
Using a sewing needle and thread, stitch the top hem of the liner to the knitted piece, removing pins as you sew past them.
Fold the knitted piece up gently around the liner and pin the other top hem to the knitted piece if necessary. Stitch this hem to the knitted piece.

DIRECTIONS - ATTACH THE HANDLES:

Fold the stockinette section of knitting over one purse handle, so that the knit stitches are showing. Using a tapestry needle, sew seam.
Repeat with the second handle.
Weave in all ends.