A ribbed shoulder bag, knitted flat in short rows. It is designed for 4 ply yarn in the small and medium sizes, and dk yarn in the large size, but can be worked in any reasonable yarn weight, using needles as recommended on ball band. The handles can be adjusted to any length. There are two alternative handle designs. There are full instructions for a bag without lining, and brief instructions for lining the bag, should you wish to do so. This design will accept a pair of 5 in (13cm) dia. circular bamboo/wood/plastic handles if preferred.

This is a variation on the early 20th century shell bag or scallop bag. This one is not in brioche or crochet, but has a knitted rib body.

Gauge and yardage above is for 4 ply. The DK gauge is 22 sts per 4 in (10 cm) in stockinet on 4mm ndls. Yardage for DK version is 620 yd (564m).

Requirements

• Yarn for small and medium sizes: 1 x 100g ball or 459 yd (420 m) 4 ply yarn.

• Yarn for large size: 2 x 100g balls or 620 yd (564 m) dk yarn. (Note: other weights of yarn can be used, but yardage and needle size will be different).

• Needles for small and medium sizes: Metric 3 mm; UK and Canadian size 11; US size 2 or 3. (Straight, or 60 cm circular). Needles for large size: Metric 4 mm; UK and Canadian size 8; US size 6. (Straight, or 60 cm circular).

• Row Counter

• 11 lockable stitch markers: if possible, 10 of these should be paired in 5 different colours, e.g. 2 blue, 2 green, 2 yellow, 2 red and 2 white. If the lockable markers are all the same colour, tie small pieces of different coloured yarns onto them.

• Half a yard of spare slippery yarn for a temporary cast-on (for faux cable handles).

• Tapestry needle.

• Lining fabric (optional): Half a yard/metre. Cotton patchwork-fabric is recommended.

• Ribbon for faux cable handles: 1.5 yd (1.37m) of narrow ribbon, approx width 0.25 in (0.75 cm) to reinforce handles, OR organza ribbon for twisted icord handles: 3.66 yd (3.35 m) x approx 0.25 in (0.75 cm).

• For lining small bag (optional): 8 in (20 cm) zip/zipper, and 5 in (13cm) zip. For lining medium/large bag (optional): 2 x 7 in (18 cm) zip/zippers.

• 2 magnetic bag clasps: i.e. magnetic pairs of buttons, or press studs (poppers), measuring 0.5in (1.4cm) or larger.

This is a fully-written 11-page pattern. It has separate patterns for small size and medium/large size.