Tote Bag Knitting Patterns

I have a weakness for knit (or otherwise handmade) bags. I know no one really needs more bags, but it’s hard to resist the allure of a portable project that you can carry things in when you’re done. A knit bag to hold your knitting? There’s nothing better.

I also like my bags big, so I can carry around knitting, probably a book, maybe some water, all the things of life in one place. So with that in mind I’ve collected some great tote bag knitting patterns for you to take with you wherever you’re going.

The Mohave Slouchy Tote Bag from Mama in a Stitch is a free pattern that’s worked from the bottom up, starting with a flat base and then joining to work in the round. It’s worked with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, or you could use a bulky or super bulky yarn if you’d rather.

Another simple and free pattern is the Knit Market Tote from Yarnspirations. Worked in worsted weight cotton yarn, it has an easy stitch pattern and is worked in pieces. The bottom is knit flat, while the body is worked separately in the round and sewn to the base along with the straps.

One problem with some knit bags is that knitting doesn’t make a totally firm fabric, so little things can work their way out of the bag if you don’t add a lining. That’s not a problem if you felt the bag, like the Lily Tote from Jilly J Bean on Etsy. This simple striped bag (of course you could make yours solid, too) is quick to knit and features integrated handles.

A tote bag is a great canvas for playing with colorwork, and the Summertime Tote from Tamara Jordan on Ravelry allows you to do just that. The pattern comes with two options for colorwork, but since there’s no shaping it’s easy to design your own pattern, embroider on the bag after it’s done, whatever you like. The pattern is worked in the round from the top down in worsted weight yarn and includes instructions for adding a lining if you want.

While we’re playing with colorwork, why not throw in double knitting? This spectacular cat tote bag from Nifty Knitter Designs is completely reversible, double thickness and large. This is not a beginner project but imagine how awesome it would be to carry this bag around? You can get a copy of the pattern on Etsy.

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Free Pattern – Folio Tote

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Knit a Bag for Your Market Shopping

Knit a Giant Bag to Hold Your Knitting Stuff

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Not too long ago I was seeing a crochet pattern for a glasses holder shaped like a bear all over the Internet. It was super cute, and also useful as a place to put your glasses on your bedside table instead of just throwing them somewhere random.

This project stewed in my brain for a little while and I decided I needed to make a knit version, but I didn’t want to make a bear. If you know anything about me you might know that I’m a cat person, so of course my version had to be a cat.

The base is just a basic little basic worked from the center out to the desired size, then up the sides as long as you want them. Knit some ears and add embellishments to make it whatever kind of animal you want.

The way I figured out to work the base from the center out was to use a crochet cast on, which gives you an easier way to pick up stitches from the back of the cast on than if you worked a more traditional cast on for a knitting project. It’s kind of fun to do things in a different way from time to time.

This little project is adorable if I do say so myself, and even as a plain little basket not made into an animal it’s a cute way to keep your glasses or other little things in one place. I’m tempted to make one for my desk to hold pens or even little little scissors and sewing needles that are always on my desk but somehow always seem to get lost on my desk.

If you need a little holder for your glasses on your table, check out the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

[Photo: Our Daily Craft]

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