11-07-2017

This is working up so quickly - I’m so excited… I can practically feel those warm tropical breezes blowing while I plink away LOL.

11-13-2017

All done but the felting. Made 8-stitch I-cord handles and attached the bottom flap before felting. Also reverse mirrored the striping for the I-cord trim… hope it was worth all the fiddly yarn switching. :) Fun project!

Handle: Using Size 11 DPN’s (or circulars, if that’s all you have).
Make a loop, leaving a 12 inch tail to sew onto the bag.
R1: Kfb, turn.
R2: P2, turn.
R3: Kfb, kfb, turn.
R4: P4, turn.
R5: K1, kfb, kfb, k1, turn.
R6: P6, turn.
R7: K1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1, turn.
R8, 10, 12: P8, turn.
R9, 11: K8, turn.
Starting on Row 13 - do 8 stitch I-Cord until Handle is long enough (these were about 12 inches long, before felting). Don’t worry about the gap where you carry the yarn across the back - it helps the main part to lie flat after felting. Then reverse to decrease:

K8, turn, P8, turn, k8, turn, p8 turn.

K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, turn.
P6, turn.
K1 k2tog, ssk, k1, turn.
P4, turn.
K2tog, ssk, turn.
P2, turn.
K2tog, pull through tail, again, leaving 12 inches or so to sew onto bag.

I attached before felting to help mesh it better with the knitted fabric of the bag itself. Any kinks can be straightened either by hand blocking or steaming after felting.