KNITTED GIFT BAG

KNITTED GIFT BAG

Size 3.75 mm DPNs long length
Aran weight yarn  Add a thread of metallic yarn for a festive touch.
The tension should be fairly firm.  I got 4.5 sts and 7.5 rows to the inch.

Using the circular cast on method, wrap the yarn so there are 11 sts on each
side.

This cast on is used on toes of Eastern socks. Knitter's Winter 1994, Issue
#37 explains this cast on in the Knitter's School on page 75. ( I learned it
when I made my little blue/green yellow sock.) Normally, this cast on is used
with a small number of stitches so to help in knitting the first row, I
wrapped the yarn around 3 needles. As I knit each stitch, I moved the middle
needle to the left to allow the stitch to be formed.

Knit across each needle turning in a clockwise direction at the end of the
first needle and wrapping the working yarn around the tail yarn.  22sts

Row 1   Place a marker for the beginning of the row.  Pick up one stitch on the
end.  Knit across the needle adding another dpn.  Pick up one stitch on the
other end and knit acros the other needle adding another dpn.  24 sts
Row 2   Knit
Row 3   Knit increasing 1 st in every 6th stitch. ( I increase by picking up
        the bar in the back of the stitch.) 28 sts      
        The increases form a diagonal line on the bag.
Row 4   Knit
Row 5   Knit increasing 1 st in every 7th stitch.  32 sts
Row 6   Knit
Row 7   Knit increasing 1 st in every 8th stitch.  36 sts
Row 8   Knit

Continue increasing pattern until you have the desired width. If you forget
where you are, count the stitches and divide by four.  The answer is the
stitch where you make the increase.  I ended the first bag increasing in
every 20th st at which point it was approx 5 inches high.

Knit a minimum of more 2 rows without increasing.  If the bag is too short,
continue knitting without increases until it is the desired height.

Eyelet Row for drawstring.  Yfd, K2tog. Continue across row.

Ruffle Rows     Knit into the front and the back of each stitch or yarn over. Knit
2 rows for a short ruffle.  Knit more rows for a bigger ruffle.
Cast off.  Sew in ends.

For the cord, either crochet a long cord or make a four stranded round braid.
Thread cord through the eyelets and knot the ends together.  Pull the excess
length of cord evenly to the inside of the bag on opposite sides.  Tie in a
bow. The looped ends form a handle.

I knit the first bag in red yarn and it looked like a strawberry.
Strawberries are one of my very favourite fruits and DH insists that it could
not have come out any other way.  I also drive a red Honda Civic hatchback
which I call The Strawberry. This was totally unconcious but could have
possiblities as fruit bags to go with fruit caps!

A smaller bag can be made by casting on fewer stitches.  It is possible to
change the position of the increases for a different shape as well.

Happy Holidays Paulette_Lane@msn.com

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