Tutorial: A Felted Mini Bag

Felted Mini Bag

This felted-mini bag is a quick project which measures approximately 5 inches wide and 6 inches tall when felted. It uses two strands of yarn throughout to create a sturdy felted fabric.

This project can be found on Ravelry. If you are a member, you can cast on your project here.

A tutorial complete with photos is available here for this pattern.

Materials:

Patons Classic Wool Merino 100g (3.5 oz.) or any Worsted 10 ply 100% wool yarn.
Four size 5.5 mm (US 9) double pointed needles
1 button

Tension:

Tension is not critical to this bag. The finished result will depend largely on how hot the water used for felting and how long the felting time.

Body of the Bag:

To begin, set up your work to be knit in the round on the double pointed needles. Using two strands of yarn, cast on 42 stitches dividing them evenly around the three needles using your stitch marker to mark the end of each round.

Knit in stocking stitch until you have a 7 inches (18 cm) tube.
Next row: *K2 tog. K 10*. Repeat from * to * to the end of the rnd. 38 sts.
Knit 3 more rnds.
Next row: K2 tog to the end of the rnd. 19 sts.
Knit 3 more rnds.
Next row: K2 tog to the end of the rnd. 10 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Next row: K2 tog to the end of the rnd. 5 sts.
 
Cut your yarn leaving enough length to thread it through the remaining stitches. Pull these stitches together and sew in the end.
 
Flap:
 
With the right side of your work facing and using 2 strands of yarn, pick up 18 stitches along the back of the pouch at the cast on edge. Make certain to center your stitches.

Knit in stocking stitch for 4 inches (10 cm) ending with a purl row.

To shape the top of the flap:

Next row: K2 tog. Knit to last 2 sts. K2 tog.
Next row: P2 tog. Purl to last 2 sts. P2 tog.
Repeat these two rows until you have 2 sts remaining. Use these two remaining stitches to make the button loop closure for the pouch. On these two stitches, knit 3 inches (7.25 cm).
Cast off.
Cut your yarn leaving the end long enough to sew the loop into position.

I-cord Strap:

Make I-cord for the strap of your bag using two of the double pointed needles.

With two strands of yarn, cast on 2 sts. Do not turn your work. *Slide stitches to the other end of the needle. Pull yarn to the front of the stitches. Knit 2.* Repeat from * to * until the I-cord measures 48 inches (122 cm). This makes a shorter strap. If you want a longer one, keep sliding those stitches!

Felting the Bag:

To felt the bag, use the lowest water level and put the hottest water you can into your washer along with a small amount of laundry soap. Place the bag and the I-cord into an old pillowcase tied securely shut with a rubber band. Put the pillowcase and an old pair of jeans (for extra agitation of your wool) into the washer. I set the washer on the highest agitation and the longest cycle.

Check the progress of the felting periodically until the stitching has disappeared and is felted to your liking. I will reset the wash cycle back to the beginning before it goes to the rinse cycle, if my piece needs more time in the washer.

Once you remove your bag from the washer, it should be shaped and left to dry. Put a plastic cup or tin can inside the bag to give it shape while drying. Stretch the I-cord to a desired length before leaving it to dry.

Assembling the Bag:

When dry, position the holes for your strap on either side of the bag and about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the top edge. Use a knitting needle to poke holes in the side of your bag for the I-cord to be threaded through. Then, choose a pretty button for your closure and enjoy your bag!

This pattern and the photographs are all © Allison of Dominant Hands. All rights reserved. For personal use only. This pattern may not be used for commercial purposes and items made from this pattern may not be sold without permission of the author.

Questions? Comments? E-mail me at dominanthands@hotmail.com. Visit me at Ravelry.