Pattern description from Alterknits: “These bags are a fun and useful way to use up stash yarn. The bag is knitted in stripes in the round, then the bottom is sewn up and the bag is felted. Knitted handles can be added before felting, but I actually prefer to create handles with transparent plastic tubing from the hardware store. To personalize the bags, I write or stamp inspirational words or messages on ribbon and slip the ribbon into the tubing.”

Finished Measurements: Medium: 19” x 26” before felting; 17.5” x 15.5” after felting; Large: 22” x 35” before felting; 20” x 20” after felting.

Yarn: Assortment of mostly worsted-weight yarn from you personal stash (NOT machine washable). Approximately 900 yards total for medium bag and 1250 yards total for large bag.

Note from Alterknits: “The bulk of yarns used for these bags are worsted weight. It is fine to incorporate lighter-or-heavier-weight yarns into your color and yarn sequence, but keep in mind this will make the diameter of the bag slightly different in the sections where this yarn is used. If you plant to knit the bulk of your bag with worsted-weight yarn, limit the number or round you knit with yarns of other weights to six at a time and always intersperse the variant-weight yarn in between sections of worsted-weight yarn. You can also use double or triple strands of a lighter-weight yarn in order to match the gauge of your worsted-weight yarn. Once the tote is felted, the worsted-weight yarn surrounding your variant yarn will help keep your tote the size you had intended. Novelty yarns are another great addition to this project. Again, be sure you place your novelty (non-felting) yarns in between multiple rows of wool yarn that will felt.”

Needles:

• One 29” circular (circ) needle size US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
• Two double-pointed needles (dpn) size US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
• Change needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker. Optional (for handle): About 3 feet transparent plastic water-pressure tubing, two 17”-long pieces wide double-fold bias tape or ribbon, fabric marker or rubber stamps/ink, sharp tapestry needle, embroidery floss, 4 (about 1.25”) buttons, hole puncher.