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The Sparkleberry Bags get their name from the sparkleberry tree, which has bell-shaped flowers that remind me of the shape of these bags. Sparkleberry trees are native to Florida. Their profuse blooms and long flowering period attract numerous butterflies and other pollinators. Small black berries in summer attract birds.

The pattern is the same for both bags except that one is worked with a single strand of wool and the other is worked with a double strand of wool. While not quite one half the size, the single strand bag is considerably smaller and would make a great gift bag! The larger of the two bags is the perfect size for your favorite little person to carry their special treasures.

You may make the bags in one color with a single stripe, two colors with additional stripes or any configuration that pleases you. You can make it in your favorite colors or as a stash buster project to use up non-superwash wool you have left from other projects.

Yarns Used:
Cascade Yarns 220® (100% Peruvian Highland Wool), 220 yds / 200 m, 3.5 oz / 100 g) per skein.

Multiple colors of Cascade 220® used in both samples.

Yardage:
MC: 98 (212) yds / 90 (194) m
CC: 6.5 (14) yds / 6 (13) m

Yardage estimates include 10% +/- those used in the sample.
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Needles:
US 10 (6 mm) / US 11 (8 mm) circular, 16” / 41 cm
US 10 (6 mm) / US 11 (8 mm) double pointed needles

Notions:
Stitch markers: 4 (1 contrasting for beg of rnd)
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Button
Tapestry Needle

Gauge:

Single strand pre-felting:
14 sts x 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm for Garter Stitch (swatch on US 10 needles)
16 sts x 20 rnds = 4” / 10 cm for Stockinette Stitch (swatch in round on US 10 needles)

Double strand pre-felting:
11 sts x 22 rows = 4” / 10 cm for Garter Stitch (swatch on US 11 needles)
12 sts x 16 rnds = 4” / 10 cm for Stockinette Stitch (swatch in round on US 11 needles)

The gauges above are pre-felting, but exact gauge is not required as the item will be felted.

Single strand post-felting:
20 sts x 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm for Garter Stitch (swatch on US 10 needles)
17 sts x 33 rnds = 4” / 10 cm for Stockinette Stitch (swatch in round on US 10 needles)

Double strand post-felting:
15 sts x 25 rows = 4” / 10 cm for Garter Stitch (swatch on US 11 needles)
15 sts x 25 rnds = 4” / 10 cm for Stockinette Stitch (swatch in round on US 11 needles)

The gauges above are post-felting on samples. Gauges will vary by yarn and knitter.

Size:
Two sizes (single strand, double strand)
Please see the schematic and final measurements for details.

Special Techniques:
Knitting in the round
Increases using kfb
Decreases using k2tog
I-cord bind off and i-cord handle
Three needle bind off

Measurements pre-felting:
Bag:
Height: 4.5 (5.5)” / 11.5 (14) cm
Circumference top: 15 (19)” / 38 (48.5) cm
Circumference center: 18 (24)’’ / 45.5 (61) cm
Button Loop: 5 (7)” / 9 (13.5) cm

Base:
Length: 6.75 (8.75)” / 17 (22) cm
Width: 3.5 (4.75)” / 9 (12) cm

Strap:
Length: 10 (14.5)” / 25.5 (37) cm

Measurements post-felting:
Bag:
Height: 3 (4)” / 7.5 (10) cm
Circumference top: 12 (15)” / 30.5 (38) cm
Circumference center: 14.5 (19)” / 37 (48.5) cm
Button loop: 3.5 (5.25)” / 9 (13.5) cm

Base:
Length: 5.5 (6.25)” / 14 (16) cm
Width: 3 (4)” / 7.5 (10) cm

Strap:
Length: 8 (11)” / 20.5 (28) cm

This pattern was professionally tech edited.

Thanks to preview knitters: KnittinTheBlues, mamamoreland and SleepyMamaDragon.