This colorful drawstring bag is inspired by the traditional Portuguese patchwork bag called a taleigo. It’s also a great introduction to intarsia knitting, not to mention a terrific stash buster.

After a provisional cast on, the two faces of the taleigo are knitted separately in flat intarsia, then joined together along the two vertical edges using mattress stitch. This provides structure and keeps the bag from sagging. The base of the bag is added by transferring the provisionally cast-on stitches to a circular needle, knitting a few rows in the round, and closing up the bottom with a three-needle bind off. The top is created by picking up the live stitches at the top, then turning the bag inside out and knitting a folded hem with buttonholes for the drawstrings. Working the folded hem from the wrong side of the body of the bag is an easy way to finish things off with a decorative bind off on the exterior. Finally, two lengths of cord (crocheted, twisted, or store-bought) are drawn through the pocket created by the folded hem and festive tassels are added.

The checkerboard version is knitted in the same fashion with one small variation: the alternating colors enable you to “stair step” a single color all the way across the face of the bag, from right to left. When joining the two faces, all the ends can be tucked into the seams, making for a clean, finished look on the inside of the bag.

Instructions for both versions are included in the pattern.