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.

Knit Flowers to Decorate a Tote Bag

Free Pattern – Folio Tote

Bags to Knit for Your Travels

Knit a Bag for Your Market Shopping

Knit a Giant Bag to Hold Your Knitting Stuff

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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