Felted Carryall

Felting strengthens the knitted fabric enough to make it possible to create a supersize bag big enough for a day's essentials.

Size
Circumference 56" (142cm) before felting; 43" (109 cm) after felting
Length 18" (45.5 cm) before felting; 9" (23 cm) after felting (excluding Handles)

Materials
4 balls # 277 Country Sunset (A)
4 balls # 275 Autumn Trails (B)
4 balls # 273 Spring Desert (C) or colors of your choice

1.Size 13 (9 mm) 24" (60 cm) circular knitting needle or size to obtain gauge
2.Stitch markers
3.Large-eyed, blunt needle
4.Size N-13 (9 mm) crochet hook
 
Gauge
10.75 stitch + 12 rows = 4" (10cm) in stockinette stitch (knit every round), before felting. Be sure to check your gauge.

Note
Lion Brand Landscapes has an acrylic core wrapped with wool. When it is washed, the wool felts around the acrylic, which gives the finished item an interesting texture and appearance. However, it does not felt exactly like 100% wool and may take longer to felt than pure wool.

Handles-Make 2
With A, cast on 4 stitches. Knit 4 rows; break off yarn, leaving a 6"(15 cm) tail. Cast on an additional 4 stitches to needle with original 4 stitches. Working only on new set of 4 stitches, knit 4 rows.

Knit across all 8 stitches and work in garter stitch on all 8 stitches for 12" {30.5 cm). Knit 4 rows on first 4 stitches and bind off. Knit 4 rows on remaining 4 stitches and bind off. Fold Handle in half lengthwise and sew edge, leaving the 4-stitch tabs free.

Ties—Make 2
With A, cast on 34 stitches. Bind off immediately on next row.

Bag
Base
Cut strands of A as follows to be used later in finishing: approximately 53 strands, each 5" (12.5 cm) long, for decorative Fringe; and 4 strands, each approximately 10" (25.5 cm), for sewing Handles and Ties.
With A, cast on 50 stitches, do not join. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 7" (18 cm). Do not break yarn.

Body
Continuing with A, knit 50 stitches across row; pick up and knit 25 stitches down short edge of Base; pick up and knit 50 stitches on bottom edge of Base; pick up and knit 25 stitches down remaining short edge; place marker, and join, being careful not to twist—150 stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit every row) until all balls of A are finished; change to B and continue in stockinette stitch until all balls of B are finished; change to C. When Body measures 18" (45 cm} bind off loosely.
 
Assembly
Separate tabs at ends of each Handle, and place 1 tab on inside and other tab on outside of Bag; stitch securely to end of Bag. Weave in ends.

Fringe
With crochet hook, attach Fringe as follows: Fold 1 strand in half to form loop. Insert crochet hook from right side through a stitch in 3rd row down from top of Bag and pull loop partway through.

Tuck tails into loop and tighten against fabric of Bag. Continue around top of Bag, placing a Fringe strand approximately every 3rd or 4th stitch.

Felting
Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. To felt additionally, dry by machine on regular setting until almost dry. Remove from dryer and lie flat to shape.

Finishing
Sew ties securely to top edge of Bag.