Full Bloom by Rachel Molenaar

Full Bloom

Knitting
July 2012
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
28 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in colorwork pattern
US 2 - 2.75 mm
2.75 mm (C)
300 yards (274 m)
3" x 6" x 6"
English
This pattern is available for $4.50 USD
buy it now or visit pattern website

This cute little bag packs a lot of knitting technique into a single project: stranded colorwork, steeking, and applied i-cord work together to create a colorful bag inspired by old-fashioned wallpaper.

Yardage for each color:

  • Rose color #1 (light): ~35 yards “Rouge”
  • Rose color #2 (medium): ~30 yards “Lipstick”
  • Rose color #3 (dark): ~35 yards “Pimento”
  • Stripe color #1 (light): ~60 yards “Edamame”
  • Stripe color #2 (medium): ~35 yards “Clover”
  • Stripe color #3 (dark): ~90 yards “Ivy”

Lining:

  • ½ yard of lining fabric
  • ½ yard of heavy-duty interfacing
  • thread

In order to achieve the vertical stripes on the finished bag, the body is worked sideways, in the round, using stranded colorwork to make the stripes and roses. The body is then steeked and the first and last rows are grafted. The bottom is worked in the round from picked-up stitches, and the top edges are finished with applied i-cord, which is then extended into i-cord handles.

Directions for a simple lining are included in the pattern, and the reader can refer to more detailed instructions on my blog for a lining with pockets.