The All Day At The Beach Bag is worked flat in a slip stitch textural pattern, which creates three-dimensional textured stripes as well as a firm fabric that is suitable for bags. The intarsia technique is also used, creating a bold botanical motif using three colours.

The front and back of the bag are made by knitting two large rectangular panels, each worked with a garter stitch edge stitch at both sides, and finished by working an I-cord cast (bind) off along the top edge. Next, two long, thin rectangles are knitted, each with an I-cord edge stitch at the sides for neat edges. The second rectangle is joined to the first by picking up stitches from the cast-on edge of the first rectangle, then knitting in the opposite direction. The two joined pieces create a long, thin strip that forms the gusset of the bag as well as the strap.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

1. Height: 33cm (13in)
2. Width: 43cm (17in)
3. Depth: 8cm (3¼in)
4. Length of the straps, measured from I-cord cast (bind) off: 53cm (21in)

YARN
Heavy weight DK or lightweight aran (worsted weight) yarn in a blend of wool and plant fibres for strength.

MC: 412m (451yds)
CC1: 168m (184yds)
CC2: 170m (186yds)

Yarn used in the sample: De Rerum Natura Robinson (70 per cent Organic merino d’Arles (France) and 30 per cent recycled cotton, including 2 per cent of other recycled fibres, 250m / 273yds – 100g / 3½oz)

MC: pêche melba, 2 skeins
CC1: grand bleu, 1 skein
CC2: azur, 1 skein

NEEDLES
3.75mm (US 5) circular needles or size needed to obtain
the correct tension (gauge).

TENSION (GAUGE)
26 sts x 46 rows equal 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) in the slip stitch
pattern, measured after washing and blocking.

SKILL LEVEL
4 of 5