#177 Metropolitan Bag by Nora J. Bellows

#177 Metropolitan Bag

Knitting
May 2015
Aran (8 wpi) ?
12 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches
in use a double-strand of yarn in stockinette
US 11 - 8.0 mm
300 - 1500 yards (274 - 1372 m)
Small ("To Go" bag), Medium, and Large
English
This pattern is available for $8.50 USD buy it now

Hardware components are available for these bags at the Noni Store: http://store.nonipatterns.com/products/Metropolitan-Tote-...

I’ve been designing what I want to carry lately: a simple felted bag that has elegant, classic lines, is easy to wear and soft against my body: The large Metropolitan Tote fits that bill. For most days, the only thing inside that bag is the Mini “To Go” bag - is is ideal for just what I need: glasses, wallet, keys, phone. When the phone rings, I pull the To Go out. No searching at the bottom of a big bag. If I need to dash to the market, To Go goes with me. I’m ready for the weekend in a flash with just these two bags.

When I need more than the essentials: that new Ella Coat I’ve been working on, for example, I carry the Medium sized Metropolitan. It can accommodate your medium-sized knitting project or works well as your every-day hand-bag with the short JUL Sweetie Forager handles. If you prefer a shoulder bag, go for the JUL 24” rolled leather Foragers. The small bag is also a must-have: it, too, makes a great every-day bag, works as a small knitting project bag, or fits nicely in the Big tote for an easy-to-grab bag when you’ve got to dash.

Available in 4 sizes, this sleek, simple, elegant felted bag design is as easy to knit and finish as it is to carry. Its simplicity looks fabulous with blue jeans and pretty top, swingy frock, or classic winter coat. In muted neutrals, it can go effortlessly from Fall to Spring with most of your looks. Make it again in the colors of sorbet and it will go with you to the beach, to a party in Paris, or to the new farm to table restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.

Finished Dimensions

To Go Bag
8” (20cm) tall
6” (15cm) wide
3 - 3.5” (7.5 - 9cm) deep

Medium Metropolitan Tote
15” (38cm) tall
12” (30cm) wide
5” (12.75cm) deep

Large Metropolitan Tote
19” (48cm) tall
14” (35.5cm) wide
6” (15cm) deep

Pattern Difficulty
Intrepid Easy: Requires knowledge of knitting, purling, picking up stitches within the knitted fabric, knitting in the round. Hand-sewing and riveting are required for the finishing process.

Gauge
Pre-felted gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4” (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials
Yarn Requirements

To Go Bag
300yds (275m) worsted weight feltable wool in Autumn Gold

Medium Metropolitan Tote
Bottom color (A): 450 yds (412m) worsted weight feltable wool in Denim
Top color (B): 700 yds (640m) worsted weight feltable wool in Autumn Gold
Solid Color: 1150 yds (1052m) worsted weight feltable wool (not pictured)

Large Metropolitan Tote
1500 yds (1371m) worsted weight feltable wool in Autumn Gold

Needles and Other Materials

All Bags
Size 11 (8mm) 24” (60cm) circular needles for Small - Large bags and a 16” (41cm) circular needle for the To Go bag
1 stitch marker to mark round, tapestry needle, sewing needle, and nylon beading thread
Locktite Superglue Extra Time Control

1 Noni Metropolitan Bag kit:
1 Noni label
1 Amazing Magnetic/Rivet-in snap
8 Double-Capped Rivets
To Go and Medium Bags

JUL 11” (28cm) rolled leather “Sweety Forager” handle (pair)
6 - 8 Classic 24mm Bag Feet
1 piece of stiffener for the bag bottom

Medium Bag Only
JUL Latch Closure to keep the blocking spiff

Large Bag Only
JUL 24” (60cm) or 30” (76cm) rolled leather “Forager” handle (pair)

Pictured Samples
Pictured samples were made in Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool (Stonehedge Fiber Mill, Shepherd’s Wool (worsted weight; 100% merino wool; 250 yds 229m 4 oz 110g skein): The small bag (not pictured in the cover picture) was made in Autumn Gold, the medium in Autumn Gold and Denim and the large bag was made in Autumn Gold. The To Go bag was made in Autumn Gold.

For more information about this pattern, visit: http://store.nonipatterns.com/products/Metropolitan-Tote-...

To purchase hardware for this bag, please shop the Noni Store: http://store.nonipatterns.com/products/Metropolitan-Tote-...