Free Pattern - Farmer's Market Bag

Photos and commentary on the bag are here and here. If you have any questions or suggestions, or would like the pattern sent to you in a .pdf, leave a comment for me.

Materials:
Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky
3 skeins M-145 (Spice) - A, 1 skein each M-185 (Aubergine) - B, M-97 (Rust) - C, M-16 (Seafoam) - D

Size 11 24-29” circular needle, size 11 double-pointed needles (set of 5)

Notions:
Stitch marker, tapestry needle

Size: 15” long, 3.75” wide, 11” high (after felting)
18” long, 4” wide, 16” high (before felting)

Base:

Cast on 13 stitches. Knit 2 rows in A, then 2 rows in B. Repeat these four rows 28 times more. End with 2 rows in A. Bind off all stitches.

Bag:

With RS facing, pick up and knit 12 stitches from short side, 58 stitches from long side, 12 stitches from short side, and 58 stitches from long side. Place marker and join for working in the round (140 stitches). Work color pattern twice, using Motif 1 for the first repeat and Motif 2 for the second repeat. End with 8 rows in A.

Color Pattern:

8 rows - A
4 rows - B
2 rows - A
1 row - C
Work the 9 rows of Motif 1 or 2
1 row - C
2 rows - A
4 rows - B

Motif 1:

Row 1: *k1 (D), k3 (C); repeat to end of row
Row 2: *k1 (C), k1 (D); repeat to last stitch
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: Knit all stitches in C.
Row 5: Knit all stitches in D.
Row 6: Knit all stitches in C.
Row 7-9: Repeat Rows 1-3.

Motif 2:

Row 1: Knit all stitches in C.
Row 2: k3 (C), k1 (D), k3 (C); repeat to end of row.
Row 3: k2 (C), k1 (D), k1 (C), k1 (D), k2 (C); repeat to end of row.
Row 4: k1 (C), k1 (D), k3 (C), k1 (D); repeat to end of row.
Row 5: k1 (D), k5 (C), k1 (D); repeat to end of row.
Row 6: Repeat Row 4.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9: Knit all stitches in C.

Prepare for straps:

Bind off 12 stitches, k13 and move to a dpn, bind off 32 stitches, k13 and move to a dpn, bind off 12 stitches, k13 and move to a dpn, bind off 32 stitches, k13 and move to a dpn.

Knit straps:

With A, knit the 13 stitches from one dpn back and forth using the fifth dpn until strap measures 18”. Using the three-needle bind-off, join these 13 stitches to the 13 stitches on the dpn on the same side, being careful not to twist. Repeat with the other two dpns.

Knit pockets:

Pouch for fragile items: With A, cast on 26 stitches. Knit back and forth until there are 26 garter ridges. Bind off all stitches. With circular needle, pick up and knit 24 stitches along one side, 25 stitches along the bottom, and 25 stitches along the other side. Knit back and forth for two inches. Bind off all stitches.

Cell phone pocket: With C, cast on 13 stitches. Knit back and forth until there are 13 garter ridges. Bind off all stitches.

Key pocket: With A, cast on 13 stitches. Knit back and forth until there are 10 garter ridges. Bind off all stitches.

Wallet pocket: With C, cast on 20 stitches. Knit back and forth until there are 13 garter stitches. Bind off all stitches.

Finishing: Weave in ends. Felt bag and pockets to desired size. Block bag to desired shape and let dry. Using a tapestry needle and appropriate color, secure pockets to inside of bag.

Notes:

1. For a taller bag, work another repeat of the color pattern, using Motif 1 again. You may need additional yarn. If you do this, I recommend getting an extra skein of Spice and working the base in Spice only (no stripes), so you have enough Aubergine for the additional repeat.

2. Work additional or different-sized pockets as desired. I chose these to hold the items I like to have with me at the market; your needs may vary.

3. Work pockets in any color you’d like. Add colorwork or stripes for added fun.

4. Felting: There is a very nice tutorial on felting here. There are many opinions on how to do this properly, and for every person who says “Never felt with old towels,” there’s one who says “Always felt with old towels.” This is what I do (felting purists, stop reading now): I put the item in an old pillowcase and tie it shut and chuck it in the washing machine with a pair of old jeans and a little detergent. I run it through the entire washing cycle on hot, then check. It usually takes me three cycles for the desired result. My felting method was inspired by the stacking washer/dryer in my apartment that doesn't have particularly hot water or fancy features like skipping the spin cycle or whatever. Your preferences and washing machine may vary. The best bet is to do a swatch and try it out in your own washing machine and adjust as needed.

5. Be sure to strand loosely when working motifs. The strands will shrink quite a bit when felting, and if you’ve pulled them too tight, the bag will pucker.

Farmer's Market Bag Pattern Copyright 2006, Allison Campbell. Please feel free to knit this pattern for yourself or someone you love, and to share it with friends. If you would like permission to reproduce this pattern for commercial use, contact me. Feel free to link to this page, but DO NOT copy and paste this pattern, or upload any photos, to your own, or any other, website or printed matter without prior permission. Please contact me if you notice any errors. Enjoy!