Lilly Valley Bag

Here is the first draft of a felted bag of original design. My sincere apologies for the lack of photographs at this time.

This bag was inspired a bit by the shape of the calla lily and the desire for lots of pockets. While first knitting this piece, I was afraid I would run out of yarn and these pockets are not as deep and functional as I originally envisioned. Keep on the look out for this bags big sister in the future.

Materials Needed:

• approximately 8 ounces bulky weight wool (two colors works well, but is not required)
• size US 11 24 inch circular needle

Gauge before felting is not vitally important with this project because it is not a sized item and a great deal of pulling can effect the final size of the object if one keeps the fabric wet. I knit this piece at a gauge of 3.5 sts/inch on US 11.

Directions:

Provisionally CO 42 stitches and work flat in st st to create a rectangle. End with a RS (knit) row.

Place marker and pick up stitches along the narrow edge of the knit rectangle, then pick up the 42 provisionally CO sts, finishing by picking up the sts on the second narrow edge.

Begin working these sts in the round for 3 inches.

BO the sts making up the first narrow edge of the rectangle, knit to end. Purl the next row, then you will begin the decrease pattern.

Decrease Pattern

Row 1: Knit 1, SSK, knit to 3 sts before the end, K2TOG, Knit 1, turn

Row 2: Purl

Continue decrease pattern until only narrow edge stitches remain, put these remaining stitches on a holder.

Now you will be creating the inner layer of the purse.

With a new ball of yarn pick up and knit stitches along a wide edge of the base rectangle, then sts along the narrow portion, and finally stitches along the second wide edge.

You will work the inner layer flat, with the same decrease pattern as the outer layer.

Strap:

The strap is created with three knit I-cords braided together. This construction allowed for the strap not to lose much length during the felting process.

Divide sts into 3 equal parts, and knit 3 i-cords, do not BO, put sts on holder. Once all 3 are made, they are then braided together, then carefully grafted to the opposite side of the bag body.

Optional Interior Pocket:

I chose to use some purple wool to create some inner pockets as a tribute to colorful flowers.

Pick up and knit stitches along the narrow edge of the rectangular base, the simply knit flat for the desired length. BO these stitches and sew the sides of the flap created down to the bag body itself.

Finishing

Loosely weave in all ends. This does not need to be perfect because the felting will grab these ends tightly with the knit fabric. Machine felt this entire piece to your preferences.

I felted this piece completely and then pulled the bag into shape. You can do this by not spinning out the excess water. Felted fabric is very stiff when dry; however, when fully wet one can pull and shape it to your desire. I did not lose very much size on my bag thanks to this process.