Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Tote Bag Knitting Patterns

, by . Leave a Comment

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

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Stacking Stars Knitting Pattern

There are so many things I love about the Stacking Stars pattern from Frankie Brown.

First, it looks like a kid’s toy, which it totally could be, though the intent is to stack the stars into a Christmas tree bit of decor.

I love the rainbow gradient, which makes it all the more cheerful, and serves as a reminder that, while you can plan out your colors beautifully, you can also use your stash for your own brilliant hodgepodge of a star tree.

It includes patterns for nine different sizes of stars, from 2 inch to 6 inch, which makes the perfect pile to look like a tree. What’s more, these stars are worked in garter stitch, so it’s a pretty easy pattern, even if you’re new to knitting. And the stars are solid, so not only can you use them to make your own amazing stack of a tree, you can make more to decorate packages, use as Christmas tree ornaments, make a darling garland, or all of the above.

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn but of course you could play with the yarn weight, too, to make stars that are even larger or smaller than the ones shown. And the bigger ones are made by just working more repeats, so you could continue to work as established to make larger ones to suit all your crafty purposes if you like.

Frankie’s patterns are free on Ravelry, but they ask that people who enjoy their patterns send a donation to the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. Through the years they have raised more that £26,000 for the charity, which helps families of kids with liver disease. You can donate to Frankie’s fundraiser here. They have tons of great holiday projects and other designs you can check out on their designer page on Ravelry.

[Photo: Frankie Brown]

Leave a Reply