Medium Aevum • Simple striped bag This project takes about 1/2...

Simple striped bag

This project takes about 1/2 skein of “worsted weight” knitting yarn (the normal weight for sweaters), and a 16-inch circular needle, size 5 or 6. Cast on 60 stitches. Join them into a round, being careful not to twist the row of stitches when you join it. Knit plain (knit every stitch — no need to purl) until you think it’s long enough (8 inches is a good length) and bind off.

Stripes

If you want to try a small adventure and introduce some variety, take a few yards of yarn in a color you like, the same thickness as your basic yarn, and at some point just start knitting your new stitches with that yarn instead. When you get around to your starting point again (1, or 2, or more rounds later) drop the new color and pick up your old yarn, being careful not to pull too tight and pucker the knitting. Repeat stripes at whatever interludes you like.

Finishing

When finished, flatten the cylinder of knitting and overcast the two sides together at the bottom with a large needle and a strand of the same yarn (going once through each front and back stitch). Braid a carrying strap from leftover yarn (or any other yarn you like). Sew it neatly onto the top of the bag at two opposite points.

Cut or make two drawstrings — they work better if they are not wool. Shoelaces, smooth cotton string, and braided cotton embroidery thread work well. Thread both drawstrings in and out between the stitches in the third row from the top of the bag. Knot the two ends of each drawstring together. Pull one drawstring from each side to close the bag.

Decoration: Simple bags like this often show up in medieval paintings with three to five tassels along the bottom. These can be made out of leftover yarn.

Source: sca.org