This tote features a colorwork pattern called ojo de perdíz (in English, partridge eye) which is a common motif in Andean weaving. I traveled to Jujuy, a northern Argentine province, to learn from the wool farmers and artisans there. Climate change has caused persistent droughts across Jujuy - less water means less yummy grass for herds to graze on, and less refreshing water to cool them down under the high-altitude sun. Farms in Jujuy are fed by vertientes, creeks that run down the sides of mountains. One local, who grew up farming llamas with his dad, told me that all the vertientes in their family farm dried up last summer. His dad and their herd were forced to move to new plot of land. In Jujuy, ponchos are often woven from llama fiber but can include a band of incredibly valuable vicuña yarn. I chose to arrange the ojos de perdíz in a wave to represent the value of water in the Andes, and to highlight the challenges farmers there face.

Construction
After using the provisional cast on technique, you’ll work a rectangle in stockinette stitch and then pick up and knit its edges. You’ll knit the body of the tote in the round, working a stranded colorwork section towards the top. You’ll knit a folded ribbed edge. Finally, you’ll secure leather straps to the outside, and optionally line the tote with fabric.

Materials
Worsted weight cotton (I used Rafia by Lanas Naturales)
100 g / 200 m main color, 25 g / 50 m accent color
US 7 (4.5mm) circular or double pointed needles
2 leather tote bag straps

Gauge
18 sts & 25 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch