This bag was the product of a quest to recreate the dimensions and spirit of an incredible factory-made fabric bag, given to me by a coworker years ago. I wore it into tatters, failed to find a replacement, eventually gave up… and knit one. This pattern is much less detailed than most of my other patterns. The upside: you can make any size you’d like… and it’s free!

This reversible bag is worked in the round from the bottom up, starting from the center of the base and increasing in a heptagon (7 sided) shape. Then, the sides are formed by working in the round. There are decreases for shaping at the center front and center back: angling the center of the bag opening inward, keeping it from flopping around, and keeping your belongings from flopping out. Finally, the bag is split between left and right for short row shaping that forms the angled sides. The top border, strap, and pocket are worked in garter stitch.

Updated 1/25/18- Pattern file was updated, now includes metric measurements, and improved layout and wording. No errata, but it is still pretty freeform, and very different from my “for sale” patterns.

Yarn: Cotton boucle yarn. Yardage will depend on size. Shown in: 300 yds/275m of Araucania Pehuen, Color 8 (100 g/3.53oz, 131 yds/120m) This yarn is discontinued, Cherry Tree Hill Yarn’s “Cotton Boucle” is a good substitute. Or try it with plain cotton yarn, or with linen, hemp, or bamboo.
Gauge: Any gauge. You want fabric that is tight and sturdy, and will likely need to go down a needle size or two from what you’d normally use with the yarn you select.
My gauge was 5.5 sts/in, 22 sts/4in, 22 sts/10cm in pattern stitch.
My row gauge was: 6 rows/in, 24 r/4in, 24 r/10cm in pattern stitch.
Needles: 16in circular, 27in circular, and DPNs. I used size US 4/ 3.5mm.
Notions: stitch markers in 2 colors, small stitch holder or waste yarn.
Size: Any size. Bag shown is: 10in/25cm across the base, 14in/35.5cm wide, 11in/28cm from start of garter base-edge to the top of center front and back, and 14in/35.5cm from the start of the garter base-edge to the base of the straps on the left and right side. Pocket is 7in/18cm wide and 5.5 in/14cm tall.
Skills: cast on, knit, purl, working in the round, increases, decreases, short-rows, kitchener stitch (for strap), pick up stitches, fitting a pattern stitch in-between increases/decreases.
Accessibility Notes: 12 point serif font with bolded and underlined headings, no columns (except for abbreviation key).