Mini Felted Bag

This was another one of my Christmas projects. I only have one more Christmas present to post about after this one but it has yet to be delivered yet as it proved to be a bear and I just recently finished it.

This was made for my friends toddler. I figured what little girl didn't need a little bag so I designed this little number. It is very simple and knit all in one piece, all the finishing that needs to be done are sewing up the two side and felting it.

I must say I LOVE this bag and when I get a bit of time plan on making myself a larger version of the same thing. It would make a perfect tote bag so I may experiment with large needles and 2 stands held together.

Anyway without further adieu here it is...



Materials:

any wool worsted weight yarn (must be 100% wool in order to felt)
- I used Patons Classic Wool in the colorway Rosewood

size 10 straight needles

Pattern:

CO 40 stitches

TO FORM HANDLE:

Knit 5 rows

Row 6: K12, BO 16, K12

Place 1st 12 stitches on a spare needle or stitch holder

On 2nd set of 12 work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows (ending on knit row)

Leave those stitches on the needle

Go to 2nd set of 12 stitches and rejoin yarn

Work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows (ending on a knit row)

Next Row: P12, CO 16, P12 (rejoining the stitches so you are back to 1 complete row)

*Please don't be scared by this it is basically the same premise as making a buttonhole where you CO and rejoin the stitches. I tried to explain this the best way I could but if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

THIS FORMS THE HANDLE

Here is a picture of the finished handle. It doesn't have to look perfect since you will be felting it.


The Body:

Work in stockinette stitch until bag is 22 inches long

TO FORM 2ND HANDLE:

P12, BO 16, P12

Place 1st 12 stitches on a spare needle or stitch marker

Knit 6 rows in stockinette stitch ending on a purl row

Move to the other 12 stitches and rejoin yarn

Knit 6 rows in stockinette ending on a purl row

Next Row: K12, CO 16, K12 (the same as with the first handle)

To Finish:

Knit 5 rows (40 stitches total)

BO all stitches

Sew up the two sides to form a bag

Felt bag and block


Here is a picture of the finished bag.

The dimensions were as follows:

BEFORE - 8.75"W x 11"T (bag) 1.25"T x 4"W (strap)
AFTER - 8"W x 7"T (bag) .75"T x 3.75"W (strap)

More Christmas Presents

Felted Purse

This was another Christmas present that I made for a good friend of mine. It was first experience with felting and I like the results.


Materials:

Bernat Felting Natural Wool or any other bulky weight wool yarn
size 11 needles


Pattern:

CO 66 stitches on straight needles

work in stockinette stitch for 22 inches

(You could use circular needles and work 3 rows flat then pick up stitches along the other 3 edges and then work in the round for 11 inches)


Work for Flap:

K2tog, knit until last 2 stitches, k2tog

repeat for 6 more rows (7 rows total)

after finishing decreases knit straight until the flap is your desired length


Finishing:

Sew up the two sides to create the purse


For Strap:

CO 105 stitches (on circular or 14 inch needles)

Knit 5 rows

BO

You could also CO 7 stitches and knit until the desired length


Here is a picture if the finished purse BEFORE felting.

The finished dimensions before felting are 11"W x 11.5"T x 5" flap
The strap measured 1.5"W x 39.5" long

Here is a picture AFTER felting.

The finished dimensions were 9"W x 6.25"T x 3" flap

I think I may have let it felt a bit too long since it shrunk so much but it still looked fine, next time I may keep a better eye on it just so it would be a bit bigger. All in all I would say my first felting experience was a good one.