How to Knit a Bulky Tote Bag

Materials Required

Knitting Needle Size 10 or 6 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight (5) Bulky/Chunky (12-15 stitches for 4 inches)

Gauge: 14 STS x 25 Rows = 4 x 4 inches (Garter Stitch)

Finished Size: 14 x 7 x 6 inches

Materials List

• 3 skeins of DGY Reclaimed Chiffon Ribbon
• Size 10 (6 mm) needles of either:
• 24 in.
  Circular Needles & 1 Extra Needle for BO
• 16 in. Circular Needles and Double Pointed Needles
• 4 Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Darning Needle
• Bag

Notes

To SSK or SSP, slip the next two stitches, one at a time as if to knit/purl.

For SKK, insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches and knit together.

For SSP, insert the left needle into the back of these two stitches and purl them together.

To BLCO, hold the yarn from the needle in between your fingers and thumb, insert the needle tip under the loop of yarn on the outside of your thumb. Let the loop slide off the needle and gently pull tight, continuing until all the stitches are cast on.

Blocking: Blocking is not necessary.

Instructions

CO 104 STS and join in the round. PM at the end of the round.

Work Garter Stitch for 4 rows (2 purl ridges)

Handles

#1 K 11, BO 16, K 36, BO 16, K 25

#2 P 11, BLCO 16, P 36, BLCO 16, P 25

Work Garter Stitch for 12 more rows (6 purl ridges)

Switch Skeins. Work in Garter Stitch for 18 rows (9 purl ridges)

Switch Skeins. Work in Garter Stitch for 18 rows (9 purl ridges)

Switch Skeins. Work in Garter Stitch for 6 rows (3 purl ridges)

(There should be 30 purl ridges for the whole tote at this point)

Flat Bottom Decreases

(You may switch to DPNs if you prefer!)

RND 1: SSK, K34, K3TOG, PM, SSK, K10, K2TOG, PM, SSK, K34, K2TOG, PM, SSK, K10, K2TOG

RND 2: SSP, P to 2nd ST before marker, P2TOG, SM, P to marker, SM, SSP, P to 2nd ST before marker, P2TOG, SM, P to end marker.

RND 3: SSK, K to 2nd ST before marker, K2TOG, SM, SSK, K to 2nd ST before marker, K2TOG, SM, SSK, K to 2nd ST before marker, K2TOG, SM, SSK, K to 2nd ST before end marker, K2TOG

R4-11: Work R2 to R3 4 more times

R12: Work the same as R2

R13: SSK, K to 2nd ST before marker, K2TOG, Remove Marker, K2TOG, Remove Marker, SSK, K to 2nd ST before marker, K2TOG, Remove Marker, K2TOG, Remove Marker.

Redistribute the 26 STS evenly between the remaining 2 needles (or the two tips of your circular needles). Use the 3rd needle to do a three needle BO.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast On
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• ST(s): Stitch(es)
• BO: Bind Off
• SSK/SSP: Slip Slip Knit / Slip Slip Purl
• PM: Place Marker
• SM: Slip Marker
• K2TOG/P2TOG: Knit 2 Together / Purl 2 Together
• BLCO: Backwards Loop Cast On