Log Cabin Tote

A great way to mix color, patchwork knitting starts with a center motif and works its way out with picked-up stitches. Changing color every time you work a new section helps keep track of the pattern.
 
Size
Approximately 12" tall x 12" wide x 2" deep (30.5 x 30.5 x5 cm), excluding Handle

Materials
Lion Brand Lion Suede 100% Polyester 3 OZS (85 C) 122 Yards (110 M) Ball
1 ball each #133 Spice (A)
#132 Olive (B)
#146 Fuchsia (C)
#178 Teal (D)
#147 Eggplant (E) or colors of your choice

1.Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles or size to obtain gauge
2.½ (1/2 m) cotton quilting fabric to coordinate for lining
3.1 yard (1 m) Ultra Bond fusible adhesive
4.Iron
5. Large-eyed, blunt needle

Gauge
14 stitches + 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch (knit every row). Be sure to check your gauge.

SQUARES - make 8
With A, cast on 4 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Bind off.

With right side facing and B, pick up and knit 4 stitches along side edge of square, beginning in last cast-on stitch of A and picking up 1 stitch in each ridge. Knit 8 rows.

Bind off, leaving last stitch on needle and do not break yarn. Turn work clockwise. Count stitch on needle as first stitch, pick up and knit 3 more stitches along edge of B square and 4 stitches along bound-off edge of A square—8 stitches. Knit 8 rows.

Bind off and break yarn. Turn work clockwise. With right side facing and C, pick up and knit 8 stitches along edge, beginning in last bound-off stitch of B. Knit 8 rows. Bind off, leaving last stitch on needle and do not break yarn.

Turn work clockwise, pick up and knit 11 more stitches from next edge—12 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Bind off and break yarn. Turn work clockwise.

With right side facing and D, pick up and knit 12 stitches along next edge, begin in last bound-off stitch of C. Knit 8 rows. Bind off, leaving last stitch on needle and do not break yarn.
Turn work clockwise, pick up and knit 1 5 more stitches from next edge—1 6 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Bind off and break yarn. Turn work clockwise.

With right side facing and E, pick up and knit 16 stitches along next edge, begin in last bound-off stitch of D. Knit8 rows. Bind off, leaving last stitch on needle and do not break yarn.

Turn work clockwise, pick up and knit 19 more stitches from next edge—20 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Bind off and break yarn.

Finishing
Arrange 4 Squares each for Front and Back of Purse and sew together.

Side—Make 2
With B, cast on 7 stitches. Knit 80 rows. Bind off.

Base
With A, cast on 7 stitches. Knit 80 rows. Bind off.
Sew 3 Side seams, leaving 4th seam unsewn for now.

Sew Base to lower edge of Front only. Entire Purse should still lay flat for easy lining. With right side facing and C, pick up and knit 92 stitches across top edge of Purse. Knit 1 row. Bind off. Weave in ends.

Trace around flat Purse piece onto paper side of fusible adhesive. Use ruler to straighten lines and corners. Fuse fusible adhesive to wrong side of lining fabric following product instructions.

Cut out through all layers along traced lines. Peel off paper backing. Turn lining over, adhesive side down, onto wrong side of knit Purse. Fuse to knitting using low heat and firm pressure.

Do not slide iron while fusing. Make sure lining piece matches knit edges all around. Now sew remaining Side seam and remaining 3 seams around Purse Base.

Handle
With D, cast on 7 stitches. Knit every row to desired length. Bind off. Cut fusible adhesive and lining fabric to same width as handle and 2" (5 cm) longer. Fuse fusible adhesive to wrong side of lining fabric.

Trim 1/2" (13 mm) off width, then turn over and fuse to wrong side of knit Handle, leaving 1" {2.5 cm) overhang at each end. Sew Handle to top edge of Purse at sides. Fuse lining overhang to inside of Purse.