What is a person to do when faced with the reality of having to frog her latest project? Throw it in a corner and make a bag!
I've been looking at several knitting bags online, and just haven't found one I like... so, after thinking about what I want my bag to have, and what I want it to hold, this is what I came up with. I used materials I already had in my stash, so I think total it maybe cost $5.
Features... magazine/pattern slot. Detachable yarn bag (has magnets to hold it to the side of the bag, additional pockets for my needle roll and circular needle case. Water holder, key fob, and zippered pocket on the outside.
Finished measurement are 9 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 6 inches across.
Knitter’s carry-All Tote
Outside:
Cut 2 pc. Of pattern fabric 22 x 17
Cut 2 pc. Of black canvas 7x 22
Cut 2 pc. Of black canvas 3x 22
Cut 2 pc. Fusible stiff interfacing 22x 17
Iron interfacing to wrong side of patterned fabric
*Lay out interfaced pattern fabri can from the top, measure 2 ½ inches down and draw a line across the length (22 inch) of the fabric
Measure from the bottom 6 ½ inches and draw a line across the length of the fabric.
Using the lines as a guide, lay your 3 x 22 inch black fabric just below the top line. Using ¼ inch seam sew along the black fabric (so your sew line will be ¼ inch below the line you drew). Now fold the black fabric upward and press. The black fabric should be flush with the interfaced top of the patterned fabric. Do the same for the bottom. Place your black fabric just above the line, and sew along the length using ¼ inch seam. Now fold the black fabric down and press. The black fabric should now be flush with the bottom of the interfaced pattern fabric. Baste along the top and bottom. **
Repeat *-** for second out pc.
If a zippered pocket is desired, add that now. (I am not good with describing my zippering process, so you’ll have to look that up, I’ll just confuse you)
Lay the two outside pcs. Right sides together and sew along the sides using 5/8 inch seam allowance. (use 5/8 allowance from here on out unless otherwise specified). Press seams open and top stitch on both sides of the seam to hold in place (this greatly reduces bulk).
Now sew along the bottom of the bag, Press bottom corner together so the side seam and bottom seam come together. This will form a “triangle” or point at the bottom corner of the bag. Measure 2 ¾ inches from the point and then sew across the point. Do the same for the other side. Now, press open the bottom seam (you will have to take a few stitch out of the corners to allow the seam to lay flat.) Top stitch the bottom the same way you did the sides. Tack the points under.
INSIDE:
Cut 2 pcs. Black canvas 22 x 17
Cut 2 pcs. Patterned fabric 38 x 8 ½
Taking the black fabric, lay them right sides together and sew one side only. Press open seam and topstitch in place.
Place patterned fabric right sides together and sew all around leaving an opening to turn and press.
Measure 3 ½ inches from the bottom of the black inner fabric and using a fabric pencil, draw a line all the way across.
Now measure 3 inches from each of the raw edge sides of the inner fabric, make a small mark with the fabric pencil.
Using these marks, lay out your patterned fabric, so that it is 3 inches from each side, and 3 ½ inches from the bottom of the black fabric. Pin in place and sew bottom and sides of the patterned fabric.
From either edge of the patterned fabric, measure 14 inches, sew a line down. (this forms the magazine pocket). Then from the other side, measure 8 ½ inches, sew a line down. This forms the pocket for my circular needle case. Then from that line, measure 6 inches, (this holds my needle roll),and sew a line down . The remaining pocket forms the water bottle holder.
Now sew the remaining side seam of the black inner fabric.. press seam open and topstitch.
For the magnet tabs, I purchased some small round super strong magnets. I made 4 small pouches and sewed the magnets inside. Sew your first magnet tab about 6 inches from the bottom of the black inner fabric on the seam. Sew the second magnet tab 3 inches above that. Now sew along the bottom of the black inner section. Follow the same rules for making the corners, and folding them under as you did for the outer layers.
I cut and covered a 15 x 5 ½ inch pc. Of sturdy plastic to give the bottom support and placed that between the outer and inner layer.
Make handles as desired, at desired length.
Now place the inner bag into the outer bag and fold edges together so the raw edges are hidden. Pin your straps in place between the layers. If you wish to have a key fob, make that and pin in place between the layers. Sew around the outside top edge of the bag.
DRAWSTRING YARN BAG:
Cut 2 circles 6 ½ inch diameter of each black and patterned fabric
Cut 2 pcs. 12 x 19 1/2 of each black and patterned fabric
Sew circles together with wrong sides together.
Sew black fabric at side seam (12 inches)
Sew patterned fabric at side seam
Put black and patterned fabric together with wrong sides together and baste along the bottom.
Sew circle in place. Serge the seam.
Push inner fabric down to the inside out of the way. Using button hole function, make 2 holes for the drawstring about 3 inches down from the top of the black fabric. Pull up the inner fabric and fold the sides together so raw edges are hidden. Sew around the bag just below the button holes. Thread cord through and attach drawstring stop. Had sew remaining 2 magnet tabs to the out side of the bag. Be careful to line them up so the magnets are attracted to each other.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask, I'll do my best to answer any questions.
