Knitted String Market Bag

Imagine strolling through a bustling market with your hands-free, stylishly carrying your fresh produce in a lovely Knitted String Market Bag. This versatile accessory not only adds a touch of charm to your shopping trips but also helps reduce the use of plastic bags, making it a sustainable choice. With its lightweight design and durability, it's the perfect blend of fashion and functionality, making your shopping experience both eco-friendly and delightful. So next time you head out for some groceries, don't forget to grab your Knitted String Market Bag and embrace both style and sustainability with a smile!

Knitting abbreviations:

• K = Knit | K2 tog = Knit 2 together | YO = Yarn Over
• KFB = Increase by knitting into the front and back of a stitch

Equipment:

• Size 7 Circular Needles (16")
• Size 7 Double Pointed Needles
• Size 7 Straight Needles (optional for handle)
• Stitch Marker
• Blunt Large Eye Needle
• 2 oz Ball of Sugar 'N Cream Cotton Yarn in a variegated color
• 1 oz of Sugar 'N Cream Cotton Yarn in a complimentary solid color

Instructions:

Cast On

Using the circular needles and the solid color yarn, cast on 60 stitches.

Place a marker and join to begin knitting in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Bag Rim:

Rounds 1 – 6: Knit

Round 7: { K2, KFB } across round (80 sts)

Round 8: Knit

Break off the solid color yarn and attach the variegated yarn.

Begin Mesh Pattern using the variegated yarn:

Round 1: { YO, K2 tog } across round

Round 2: Knit

Repeat these two pattern rows until you have used up the 2 oz ball of variegated yarn, ending with a Round 2 row. This should be about 48 rows, and the mesh portion should measure about 7".

Break off the variegated yarn and attach the solid color yarn.

Bag Bottom using the solid yarn:

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: { K6, K2 tog } around (70 sts)

Round 3: Knit

Round 4: { K5, K2 tog} around (60 sts)

Round 5: Knit

Round 6: { K4, K2 tog } around (50 sts)

Round 7: Knit

Round 8: { K3, K2 tog } around (40 sts)

Round 9: Knit

Round 10: { K2, K2 tog } around (30 sts)

Round 11: Knit

Change to double pointed needles, placing 12 stitches on one needle, 9 stitches on another needle, and 9 stitches on another needle.

Round 12: { K1, K2 tog } around (20 sts)

Round 13: Knit

Round 14: { K2 tog} around (10 sts)

Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through a large eye blunt needle and then draw through the remaining stitches, removing them from the needles. Pull tight and take any additional stitches necessary to close the hole. Tie a knot, and weave in the end.

Bag Handle:

( The handle can be knit on the straight needles, or by working back and forth on two DP needles or the circular needles),

Using the solid color yarn, Cast on 7 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures 16". Bind off. Sew the ends of the handle to opposite sides of the bag.

Notes:

Optional Bag Bottom: If you are a beginner knitter and do not want to use the double pointed needles for the last three rows, an alternate method for the bottom is to stop at row 11 and just proceed on to finish the bag using the instructions to gather the remaining stitches and pulling to close the hole (however the bottom of the bag may look just a little bunchier).