I had made many other bag patterns before but could never find one that ticked all the boxes for things I liked in a bag. So, I designed this bag which has them all!

Sturdy bottom

Nice and stretchy for holding lots of groceries

Comfortable handles

Wide enough opening

Easy to follow stitch pattern for main part of bag so you can just mindlessly get it done

This bag is knit in the round on circular needles from the bottom up. After the flower base is finished, the body is knit on larger needles in an easy to remember pattern so you don’t forget where you’ve left off. Then, the mouth of the bag is finished off on smaller needles again. After casting off, an applied i-cord is knit onto the top edge, then the i-cord continues for the handle. This is then seamed to the cast on edge with the invisible kitchener stitch. Two handles are to be completed. A detailed photo tutorial is included for making the applied i-cord handle and written instructions are given for doing the kitchener stitch.

This pattern can be done with any cotton yarn, not just 8 ply. Try a 5 or 4 ply as well if you desire a lighter bag.

Gauge: gauge is not important for this pattern. Use the recommended needles or near sizes, and it will turn out well.

Needles:
• 4mm/6 US circular needles 30 cm/ 12 in
• 4mm/6 US double pointed needles for the base, unless comfortable starting with a small number of stitches with magic loop method.
• 9mm/13 US circular needles 30cm/ 12 in

The bottom of the bag starts with 5 stitches and quickly grows to 110. It is possible (I did it this way!) to use circular needles doing the magic loop, even starting this small. If you are uncomfortable with this, use double pointed needles.

This would be a great confident beginner pattern. Stitches required are knit, yarn over, k2tog, m1, slip stitch.