Materials:
· A: 1 skein Lion Brand Wool 100% Wool (perfect for felting) (blue)
· B: 1 skein Lamb’s Pride Bulky 85% Wool/15% Mohair (M-10 Crème)
· C: 1 skein Yarn Bee Haute Fur (china blue)
· Button (I used a 1” button)
· Beads, Matching Thread and Needle
· Fabric for Lining
· US 6 Double-Pointed Needles
· US 11 Circular Needles 16”
· US 11 Needles
· Yarn Needle
· Scissors
· Stitch Marker
· Tape Measure
Directions:
I used large needles because I like to work with them. If you prefer smaller needles, use them. The bag will shrink after the felting process.
1. Bottom: Using US 11 needles and a single strand of color A cast on 30 stitches. Knit 10 rows. Cast off.
2. Handles: Using US 6 double-pointed needles and a single strand of color A cast on 6 stitches. Without turning your work, switch the needles in your hands and slide the stitches to the other side of the needle in your left hand, with the yarn still hanging from the left, instead of the right, as it usually would-knit across. Pull the yarn tight so that the fabric rolls in to itself. Knit until the I-cord is 15 inches long. Cast off. Repeat one more 15” I-cord.
3. Button Loop: Using US 6 double-pointed needles and a single strand of color A cast on 3 stitches. Follow the directions in #2 until the I-cord is 8” long and cast off.
4. Bag: Using US 11 circular needles and a single strand of color A and C cast on 80 stitches. Place your stitch marker at the end of the row. Work 8” in knitting. Change to color B only and knit 4”. Cast off.
5. Assembly: With your yarn needle sew the bottom of your bag on to the bag. Find the middle top of the bag and sew on the button loop. Measure and sew the handles 1/3 in from each side of the bag (ex. If the bag measures 15”, sew the handles 5” in from each side of the bag.)
6. Felting: In a top loading washer, wash the assembled bag in hot water with detergent. Agitate on the longest cycle. Pull out the bag from time to time to check on the felting. More agitation will result in a tighter, smaller bag. Rinse in cold water and roll in a towel to get the moisture out. Shape and let dry.
7. Beads: After the bag has dried sew on the beads to add a little sparkle.
8. Button: Sew on the button.
9. Lining: Measure your finished bag and cut out and sew a liner for the bag. (My liner was from some scraps so it was a little small. I sewed the corners of the bag together, which gives it a little more form.) My finished bag was 10” length by 7” height.
10. You are ready to use the bag! Have fun!
