Big Honkin Bag(1)
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Big Honkin' Bag Big Honkin' Bag by Jana Pihota My day job requires constant travel and my bag is critical. I require lotsa things from my bag. First it must be large enough to carry a GPS, my wallet, some snacks, a book and one (okay, maybe two) knitting projects. Deep exterior pockets are necessary for my room key, water bottle and boarding pass. Lastly, it must be durable, washable and squishable as I am constantly stuffing it under plane seats and pitching it into airport security tubs. I started designing the Honkin' Bag while in The Middle of Nowhere, Alabama where yarn choices were limited. Well, darn near everywhere has a Walmart and I fell back on the old standby, cotton "dish cloth" yarn in a soft camel. Okay, so it might not be elegant, but the price for 7 skeins (under $11) fits my economic crisis knitting budget and I like working with natural materials. I think we all deserve a great cotton bag for spring and this is it. The bag construction is basic. The textured front, back and stockinette bottom gusset are knit in one piece on either long single points or a circular needle. The side stockinette gussets with 1k, 1p rib pockets are set in the sides with single crochet. The upper edge is a provisional cast on leaving live stitches for the attached I-cord trim. Finally, I-cord braided handles are attached to the bag body with metal rings and stockinette tabs, giving it some designer panache. Lining is
Transcript of Big Honkin Bag(1)
Big Honkin' BagBig Honkin' Bagby Jana Pihota
My day job requires constant travel and my bag is critical. I require lotsa thingsfrom my bag. First it must be large enough to carry a GPS, my wallet, somesnacks, a book and one (okay, maybe two) knitting projects. Deep exteriorpockets are necessary for my room key, water bottle and boarding pass. Lastly, itmust be durable, washable and squishable as I am constantly stuffing it underplane seats and pitching it into airport security tubs.I started designing the Honkin' Bag while in The Middle of Nowhere, Alabamawhere yarn choices were limited. Well, darn near everywhere has a Walmart and Ifell back on the old standby, cotton "dish cloth" yarn in a soft camel. Okay, so itmight not be elegant, but the price for 7 skeins (under $11) fits my economiccrisis knitting budget and I like working with natural materials. I think we alldeserve a great cotton bag for spring and this is it.
The bag construction is basic. The textured front, back and stockinette bottomgusset are knit in one piece on either long single points or a circular needle. Theside stockinette gussets with 1k, 1p rib pockets are set in the sides with singlecrochet. The upper edge is a provisional cast on leaving live stitches for theattached I-cord trim. Finally, I-cord braided handles are attached to the bag bodywith metal rings and stockinette tabs, giving it some designer panache. Lining is
optional, as the bag is in a pretty tight gauge. I chose to line my bag in satin withseveral pockets.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTSFINISHED MEASUREMENTSBag Height: 12 inchesBag Width: 18 inches at baseBag Depth: 4 inchesHandle Length: 24 inches
MATERIALSMATERIALSElmore-Pisgah Peaches & Creme [100% cotton; 122 yd per 70.9 gskein]; color: camel; 7 skeins1 set(s) US 4/3.5 mm double-point needles1 29-inch US 2/2.75 mm circular needleSize E /3.5mm crochet hookTapestry needleWaste yarn4 - 1.5 inch metal ringsMagnetic purse closure (optional)Lining fabric (optional)
GAUGEGAUGE19 sts/27 rows = 4 inches in St st
PATTERN NOTESPATTERN NOTESDimensional Squares Pattern:Row 1 [RS]: Knit.Row 2 [WS]: Purl.Row 3: Knit.Row 4: K2, *P2, K11; rep from * to last 4 sts; P2, K2.Row 5: P2, *K2, P11; rep from * to last 4 sts; K2, P2.Row 6: Rep Row 4.Row 7: P2, *K2, P2, K7, P2; rep from * to last 4 sts; K2, P2.Row 8: K2, *P2, K2, P7, K2; rep from * to last 4 sts; P2, K2.Row 9: Rep Row 7.Row 10: [K2, P2] twice, K3, *[P2, K2] twice, P2, K3; rep from * tolast 8 sts; [P2, K2] twice.Row 11: [P2, K2] twice, P3, *[K2, P2] twice, K2, P3; rep from * tolast 8 sts; [K2, P2] twice.Row 12 and 13: Rep Rows 10 and 11.Row 14: Rep Row 8.Row 15 and 16: Rep Rows 7 and 8.Row 17: Rep Row 5.Rows 18 and 19: Rep Rows 4 and 5.Row 20: Purl.
Rib Stitch:Row 1 [RS]: K1, P1, rep toend of row.Row 2 [WS]: P1, K1, repto end of row.Alt Rows 1 and 2.
Applied I-Cord:Using dbl pts, cast on 4st. *Slide sts to opp sideof dp. Pull yarn snuglyacross back of work. Pickup next st from live edgestitches, K2tog, K to end.Rep *to end.
PATTERNPATTERNBag BodyBag BodyUsing waste yarn andprovisional cast on, CO62 sts with circ ndl.Rows 1 and 2: K all sts.Row 3: Kfb all sts to lastst, k1. 123 sts.Work 4 rep DimensionalSquares Pattern (Rows 1-20).Next Row: K2tog across row to last st, k1. 62 sts.P 1 Row.K 1 Row.Work in St st for 25 more rows (4 inches).Next Row: Kfb all sts to last st, k1. 123 sts.P 1 Row.Work 4 rep Dimensional Squares Pattern Rows 1-20.K 1 Row.P 1 Row.Next Row: K2tog across row to last st, k1. 62 sts.Leave sts on ndl.
Bag HandlesBag HandlesWith dbl pt ndls, k 4 st I-cord for 24 inches.Repeat 5 more times.Using 3 I-cords, braid handle, knotting each end.Fold end of each handle over metal ring and stitch in place.Rep for second handle.
Bag GussetsBag GussetsUsing waste yarn and provisional cast on, CO 23 sts with circ ndl.
Row 1 [RS]: Slp 1, K rem sts.Row 2 [WS]: Slp 1, P rem sts.Work in St st for 10.5 inches.Work Rib Stitch for 6.5 inches.BO in pattern.Rep for second gusset.FINISHINGFINISHINGFold up Rib Knit section just to lower pattern edge with St st [RS]facing on gusset piece.With RS facing, pin gusset and pocket in place on bag body betweenfront and back, forming 4 inch base.Set in gusset and pocket with sc.Rep for opp side.Pick up all live sts around bag top with circ ndl.K 1 rnd.BO using Applied I-Cord Technique.Using circ ndl, pu and k 10 st on inside right below I-Cord edge atbag body corner.Work 13 rows St st (1.75 inches).BO, leaving 10 inch tail.Fold tab over handle ring and stitch in place using 10 inch tail.Repeat for rem 3 corners.Weave in ends.Line bag and add magnetic closure if desired.
