How to Create a Stylish Cotton Clutch with I-Cord Strap
Pattern
Yarn: Any worsted cotton yarn you have will do. You will need 1 ball for color A, and 1/2 a ball for color B.
Needles: 5.5MM straight needles and 5.5MM double points for the i-cord edging and i-cord strap.
Notions: Tapestry needle to sew in your ends.
Size: Finished clutch is 7 in by 4 1/2 in.
Gauge: 16 st of pattern = 4 inches, 28 rows = 4 inches.
Stitches Used: Knit (k), Purl (p), Slip Stitch (sl), Knit 2 together (k2tog).
Instructions
Cast On 32 st.
Row 1: {k 2, sl 2 with yarn in front like you are going to purl} repeat {to} till the end.
Row 2: p 1, {sl 2 with the yarn in the back like you are going to knit, p2,} Repeat {to} till the end, ending with a p 1.
Row 3: {sl 2 with the yarn in front, k2} repeat {to} till the end.
Row 4: p 3, {sl 2 with yarn in the back, p 2} repeat {to} till 1 st from the end, p 1.
Rows 5 - 8: Repeat rows 1 - 4.
Rows 9 - 12: Before the start of row 9, add color B by making a loose loop with color B. Insert your hook like you are going to knit, wrap the loose loop instead of the first color, and follow the directions of rows 1 - 4.
Rows 13 – 96 or till the length of 12 ½ inches: Switch back to color A, repeat rows 1 - 4. Bind off.
Assembly of the Bag
Fold the bag over with wrong sides facing each other. Make the side that is folded over 4 inches over the other side. Follow the picture for further clarification.
Pin the sides down for stability while you are knitting up the sides.
I-Cord Edging
Cast on 3 st with Color B onto one of your double point needles. With the wrong side facing up (the flap of the bag will be on the wrong side of the fabric, but the fold-over fabric will both be right sides of fabric), insert the needle in the right-hand side corner of the bag making sure to grab both sides of the fold, and pull the yarn through both layers. {Pick up a new st. You should now have 4 st on the needle. Push the needle down so you are now working from the other end, k 2, k2tog through the back loops}.
Repeat {to} till you have gone all the way around to the other side of the bag. At the corners, pick up a stitch in the same space twice.
. Bind off. Weave in your ends.
I-Cord Strap
Make a 4 st i-cord that is 14 to 16 in long.
Cast on 4 st onto a double point needle, {knit 4, push your stitches to the other end}, repeat {to} pulling your stitches tight as you go. Bind off.
Sew each side of the i-cord to the sides of the bag for a strap.
