Easy Any-Gauge-Goes Knitted Colorwork Bag

I love knitting, and this bag is really fun to knit. You start at the top, begin some colorwork, and Kitchener stitch the bottom of the bag closed. The colorwork is very beginner friendly. The bag uses two colors of any weight of yarn, and you could easily modify the pattern to use scraps. You can also make this any size, making a stunning tote or beautiful phone carrier, like I did.

I made this bag completely from scratch, the only thing in mind when I designed this was that I wanted something practical. I really hope you enjoy this original (And first ever knitted design!) work of mine.

Supplies

~Two colors of any weight of yarn (I used worsted weight yarn. The multi-colored one I used was Caron Jumbo in the Garden Grows colorway, and the solid is Red Heart Super Saver in the colorway Black.)

***I used most of what I had caked up for my multicolored yarn, but barely cut into my black yarn.***

~Corresponding circular needles for your weight of yarn, at least 24” cord (I used U.S 7, 4.5mm needles, 24” cord)

~Tapestry/Darning Needle (Mine is from Joanns)

~Scissors

Do you have your supplies? Great, let’s go!

Step 1: Cast On

Depending on your yarn weight and needles size, and the overall size of the bag you want to make, (my bag measured 5x7 inches) you will need to cast on more or less stitches. The thicker the yarn and needles, the less stitches you will need for the same size as me, and for thinner yarn and smaller needles, you will need more stitches to achieve the same measurements as my bag. Continuing on, the instructions given will be for what I did, use the guidelines I talked about above to further inform your decisions on what you make.

Cast on a multiple of 2 + 1 stitches. For my size, cast on 45 stitches.

Step 2: Start Your First Rounds

Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Knit three rounds in your main color, which is the one you will see the most of.

Step 3: Begin the Colorwork!

R4: Knit 1 round in your contrasting color. ( I corrected the color jog on the side of the work using this tutorial by Very Pink Knits. I used this method for all the jogs that I remembered to fix, which was definitely not all of them. ;))

There will be two rounds of simple colorwork to start.

R5: *Knit 1 with contrasting color, knit 1 with main color* repeat * to * until last stitch, knit 1 with contrasting color.

R6: *Knit 1 with main color, knit 1 with contrasting color* repeat * to * until last stitch, knit 1 with main color.

Step 4: New Colorwork Section!

R7: Knit stitches as presented. (Knit the main color stitches with the main color, and knit the contrast color stitches with the contrast color.)

R8 and 9: As for round 7.

Step 5: Striping Section

R10: Knit 1 round in contrast color.

R11: Knit 2 rounds in main color.

Step 6: Continue Colorowork

Repeat the colorwork section, Steps 3, 4, and 5. I repeated the colorwork three times, and then continued on for about 1 1/2 inches of plain stockinette stitch at the bottom. Stop anywhere from 3/4 - 2 inches short of your desired length.

Step 7: Start the Bottom Section

My bottom section was 15 rounds. This made for a larger section without colorwork, as shown above in the picture. I like this look, but you could do more or less colorwork if you would like. Personally, I think a general rule of thumb for this is the smaller the bag, the smaller the plain section at the bottom, and the bigger the bag, the bigger the plain section at the bottom. Feel free to tweak this, though! :)

Step 8: We Are Almost Done!

Kitchener stitch the bottom of the bag closed. If you make a mistake with your Kitchener stitch and get holes along the bottom, you can cinch those closed with your tail yarn after you finish. You can use this tutorial to do the Kitchener stitch if you never have.

Step 9: Optional: I-Cord Strap

If you would like, you can make a strap for your bag. I made mine around 14 inches long.

Along your cast on edge, right by your beginning of round, pick up and knit 3 stitches. (It's okay if this isn't perfect!)

Knit an I-cord for as long as you would like. Never done this before? Look here to learn how.

When it reaches the length you want, do as follows:

On the side of your round (directly across from where you last picked up), pick up one stitch and knit it. Then slide the second stitch on your needle over the first stitch, binding off one stitch.

Repeat picking up a stitch and binding off a stitch twice more. You should still have 3 stitches on your needle.

After this, simply bind off. Any method works here.

Step 10: Final Touches and Your Done!

Turn your work inside out. Weave in all of the ends. I wove in my ends near the colorwork in the colorwork floats. After this, cut all your ends. You're all done! Congratulations!

I hope you had fun! Thanks for knitting!

:)