In college, my best friend had a fabulous bag. It was part purse, part bookbag, and entirely wonderful. To be honest, I don’t actually remember that much about the bag itself. Was it leather or suede? Round or rectangular on the bottom? How big was it?

What I do remember though is its handle. Instead of ordinary handles, it had a series of rings attached to the top of the bag with one, long, connected handle threaded through them. The simple act of picking up the bag closed it. Putting it down and relaxing the handles opened it to get inside. Completely unique.

That, and they made the prettiest chime when they rubbed against each other.

Darn it, I wanted one! So…

MATERIALS
• Peace Fleece Worsted Weight yarn (200 yds/4 oz.), 3 skeins
• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, in 24” length
• 2 cable needles
• 8 rings for the handle (between 1” and 2” in diameter, your choice)
• Crochet hook (optional)
• One yard of lining material (I used cotton, quilting-weight fabric)
• 12” zipper (optional)
• 1/2 yard interfacing (optional)
• Cardboard, plastic, or TimtexTM interfacing for stiffening the bottom of the bag
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

YARN SUBSTITUTES
Almost any similar-weight yarn that will wear well

SIZE
Bag 10” tall, 5” wide.

Difficulty: Intermediate. Pattern involves reading a stitch chart, picking up stitches, knitting in the round, and very basic shaping. Also, sewing skills, if you choose to make the lining.