Felted floral market bag by Catherine Christie

Felted floral market bag

Knitting
April 2007
Wild & Woolly 12ply
Wild & Woolly 8ply
DMC Cotton Perle Ball 3
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch (in the round) using 6mm needle and 12ply yarn; 8wpi
US 10 - 6.0 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
737 yards (674 m)
95cm / 37.5" circumference, 32cm / 12.5" up sides, handles 60cm / 23.5" long; cord 48cm / 19" after felting.
English

From the description: It was probably inevitable that my two passions of wool and gardening would converge. Throw in a fascination with felting and the result is this knitted and felted market bag. Decorated with a twining stem of leaves and three-dimensional flowers that beg to be touched, this project has many interesting parts that can be knitted while the main bag is in progress.

The handles are knitted lengthwise rather than in narrow strips. This is for two reasons: the first is simply that I hate turning my work after 5 sts for hundreds of rows! The second reason is that it makes a very comfortable grip, and the cast-on and cast-off edges for a much more stable edge than row ends do, even after felting.

The flowers and leaves could also be used to embellish all sorts of things: a hat, a garment, or you could even make a corsage! I like the truly 3-D effect of the embellishment as knitting usually relies on texture and pattern for surface interest.

Needles and notions:

  • two 6mm / US10 circular needle (60cm/24” and 80cm/32”)
  • 1 set of 5mm / US8 double pointed needles
  • 1 pair 3.75mm / US5 needles
  • 30m / 33yd smooth waste yarn similar in weight to the MC yarn, in a contrasting colour
  • 6 stitch markers, 4 in one colour (Col A) and 2 in another (Col B)
  • large-eyed, blunt needle for sewing up
  • straight pins; sewing thread; tapestry needle
  • 1.2m / 1.3yd heavy-duty plastic boning (available from specialty fabric suppliers such as bridal salons)
  • 1 roll kitchen cling film

Measurements: The measurements of this bag have been calculated to suit this yarn; be aware that if you substitute another feltable yarn your final bag may vary.

  • Before felting: 140cm / 56” circumference, 50cm / 19.5” up sides, handles 65cm / 25.5” long; i-cord 60cm / 23.5”.
  • After felting: 95cm / 37.5” circumference, 32cm / 12.5” up sides, handles 60cm / 23.5” long; cord 48cm / 19”

Pattern notes: This bag is worked on a circular needle from the top down in garter stitch.