Yarn Stash

This shopping bag is perfect for holding balls of yarn, as it stretches out the more you put in.

It also allows for a lot of leeway when knitting it – you can use 4-ply or DK, make the strap longer or shorter or even change the size of the needles. All it really requires is a pair of very large needles, a pair of smaller needles and 100g of cotton yarn.

You will be knitting the bag all in one piece, starting at the top of one side and finishing at the top of the other and then sewing up the sides. You will need to know how to knit with needles of different sizes, how to pick up stitches and how to cast off using the three needle bind-off.

Items needed:

• 100g of DK or 4-ply cotton yarn
• 4mm/6 (US)/8 (UK) straight needles, plus one spare 4mm needle
• 20mm straight needles
• A row counter
• A tapestry/sewing needle

Tension

Tension is not particularly important here, but you will be knitting off of a 4mm needle onto a 20mm needle, so please knit loosely!

Pattern

Cast 50 stitches on the 4mm needles.

Knit 2, purl 2 until end of row for 10 rows on the 4mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 20mm needle from the 4mm needle.

Knit 4 rows on the 20mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 4mm needle from the 20mm needle.

Knit 3 rows on the 4mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 20mm needle from the 4mm needle.

Knit 4 rows on the 20mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 4mm needle from the 20mm needle.

Knit 19 rows in stocking stitch with the 4mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 20mm needle from the 4mm needle.

Knit 4 rows on the 20mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 4mm needle from the 20mm needle.

Knit 3 rows on the 4mm needles.

Knit 1 row onto a 20mm needle from the 4mm needle.

Knit 4 rows on the 20mm needles.

Knit 2, purl 2 until end of row onto a 4mm needle from the 20mm needle.

Purl 2, knit 2 until end of row for 9 rows.

Cast off in pattern.

Fold bag in half, with the wrong side of the stocking panel inside, and sew up along the sides.

At the top of bag, with your 4mm needle and along one of the seams, pick up five stitches from either side of the seam, resulting in 10 stitches on the needle.

Knitting with two strands of yarn, knit in stocking until happy with the strap length or almost out of yarn.

With spare 4mm needle, pick up five stitches from either side of the other seam, resulting in 10 stitches on the needle.

Cast off the strap onto the top of the bag using the three needle bind-off.

Use and enjoy!