The Leda Bag is a drawstring bag featuring a swan colourwork motif available in a variety of sizes. Choose from a small or large swan motif and individual swans facing the same direction or lover swans, facing each other. Whether you want a small pouch to carry along lucky trinkets, or to stash shells you find along the beach, a bag to carry along your favourite book, or a large project bag for your current work in progress, there is a size for your every desire. Knit from the top down in the round, the drawstring closer is knit first, followed by stockinette to create the majority of the bag’s depth. The chosen swan colourwork motif is knit, followed by additional stockinette to complete the depth of the bag. The bottom opening is seamed closed. An i-cord drawstring is knit and inserted into the drawstring closure through previously worked drawstring holes. You have the option to duplicate stitch additional details on the swan motif and to reinforce the drawstring holes using a crochet hook. Modification options for height adjustment, width adjustment, and differing yarn weights are provided.

The sample is a Small Lover Swans version knit in size M.

Difficulty: 1.5 / 5 - Suitable for beginners interested in learning colourwork techniques.

Small Swan Size: XS, S, M, L
Small Swan Finished Height: 12.5, 19.5, 30, 40.5 cm 5, 7¾, 12, 16 inches
Small Swan Finished Width: 9, 18, 28, 38 cm 3½, 7, 11, 15 inches

Large Swan Size: XS, S, M, L
Large Swan Finished Height: 15, 23.5, 32, 40 cm 6, 9¼, 12½, 15¾ inches
Large Swan Finished Width: 14, 22, 30, 37 cm 5½, 8¾, 12, 14½ inches

Gauge: 20 stitches x 27 rounds = 10 x 10 cm 4 x 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Suggested Needle: 3.75mm US 5 circular needles

Suggested Yarn:

Main Colour (MC)
25, 50, 100, 150 g Fingering weight yarn held together with
25, 50, 100, 150 g Lace weight yarn
Or
25, 50, 100, 150 g Sport weight yarn held single

Contrast Colour (CC)
10-15 g Fingering weight yarn held together with
5-8 g Lace weight yarn
Or
20-15 g Sport weight yarn held single

Optional: Duplicate Stitch Yarn
Detail Colour 1 (DC1): 1-3 g Sock or Sport weight held double
Detail Colour 2 (DC2): 1-3 g Sock or Sport weight held double

Blue Example:
MC (Blue): Isager Alpaca 2 (50 g = 250 m / 273 yds) held together with The Knitting Loft Dust Mohair (50 g = 432m / 473 yds)
CC (White): Knitting for Olive Merino (50g = 250m / 273yds) held together with Knomad Cirrus (50 g = 400 m / 437 yds)
DC1 (Black): Sandnes Garn Mandarin Petit (50 g = 180 m / 197 yds) held double
DC2 (Brown / Orange): Berroco Vintage Sock (100g = 400 m / 437 yds) held double

Additional materials:
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Measuring tape
Scissors
Optional: 3mm crochet hook

Size Guide:
The Leda Bag is designed with multiple available sizes to fit your needs. There are two different swan motifs, a Small Swan and Large Swan with the option to knit single Swan motifs facing the same direction or knit Lover Swan motifs facing each other. The two versions differ minimally in size, choose the motif you prefer and select your preferred size based on the finished measurements.

The Small Swan version, sizes XS, S, M, L are designed to have a final height of 12.5, 19.5, 30, 40.5 cm (5, 7¾, 12, 16 inches) and width of 9, 18, 28, 38 cm (3½, 7, 11, 15 inches).

The Large Swan version, sizes XS, S, M, L are designed to have a final height of 15, 23.5, 32, 40 cm (6, 9¼, 12½, 15¾ inches) and width of 14, 22, 30, 37 cm (5½, 8¾, 12, 14½ inches).

Size XS is designed to carry small items for everyday use. Size S is designed to carry small projects, paperback novels, a camera, or everyday essentials. Size M is designed to carry larger projects, hardcover novels, tablets, or can be used as a drawstring purse. Size L is designed to carry large projects nearing completion, multiple items, or can carry a change of clothes. This is a short list of possible items you can carry within the various sizes of the Leda Bag, with so many more options available.