Mal: It’s of interest to me how much you seem to know about that world.
Shepherd Book: I wasn’t born a shepherd, Mal.
Mal: You have to tell me about that sometime.
Shepherd Book: No, I don’t.

Wasn’t Born a Shepherd is the fourth design in my Firefly/Serenity series based on the character Shepherd Book. It is a felted wide messenger bag/satchel with a double knit colorful patterned strap and braided i-cord side attachments.

The strap is fully reversible and has a pattern with stylized crosses to help you in your mission to bring “religiosity to the fuzzy-wuzzies.” I imagine Shepherd carrying his Bible and a box of strawberries in this bag (ample room for both) as he brings the word to those who need it.

The other designs from this series are: a wrap for Inara called The Ambassador, a poncho for Zoe called Big Damn Heroes, and a shawl for Wash called Leaf on the Wind. Come join my Ravelry group for info/tests on upcoming designs!

NOTES:

• Gauge: UNFELTED swatch on US 11 (8mm): 16 sts x 20 rows in 4.5”x4.5” (11.4cm) in stockinette worked flat, FELTED becomes 3.5” (8.9cm) wide x 3” (7.6cm) tall
• The pattern includes instructions for 2 strap lengths: shorter strap (35”/89cm) and longer strap (52”/132cm). The bag in the main photos is with the shorter strap.
• If you use something other than the listed yarn, you may want to do a test felting swatch to make sure the shrinkage will be the same. Or if you’re anything like me, you can throw caution to the wind and just cross your fingers and hope it will all work out.
• The yarn in the main photos is 6 colors of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky as follows: MC - Silver 3 skeins/411yds/300g, C1 - Wallaby 1.6 skeins/220yds/160g, (C2 - Honey, C3 - Avocado, C4 - Masala, C5 - Porcini, C6 - Yonder) each 0.23 skeins/32yds/23g (for shorter strap, shown) or 0.35 skeins/48yds/35g (for longer strap, instructions provided)
• You do not have to use the full 6 colors, but you will need at the VERY least 3 colors if you would like to use to use the MC in the strap. If you choose fewer colors, just be aware that the amounts you need will change!

Thank you to my TESTERS EXTRAORDINAIRE: Kioryn, Dulseigh, LisaCinFL, lenasmom, shiomi, Garchompgirl, Laurelwoodsong, elasater, echeverialaui, Cristallynx

This pattern is now available through the Knit Picks Independent Designer Partnership! It is listed as Shepherd Felted Satchel and can be purchased there along with the listed yarn with their super cool “Kit Builder!”