Details

Yarn:
Noro Kureyon (100% wool, 100m, 100 g). Colour (A): 55, 2 balls. Jumbuk Wools (100% wool, 100g). Colour (B): Lot no B1, 1 ball.

Needles:
6.5 mm straight needles
4.5 mm circular needles (80 cm)

Notions:
Stitch marker; approx 0.5 m of 12.5 mm dowelling; four large wooden beads to fit dowelling (plus stain and varnish, if desired); plastic quilting template or similar lightweight product for base insert (eg the bottom insert of a supermarket green bag).

Tension:
Base: 14 stitches and 23 rows to 10 cm on 6.5 mm needles in moss st using Jumbuk Wools
Body: 18 stitches and 35 rows to 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles in moss st using Noro Kureyon

Finished dimensions:
30 cm x 18 cm (from base to top of handle)

Pattern: moss stitch:
(knit flat)
Row 1 (RS): K 1, p 1.
Row 2 (WS): P1, k 1.
Repeat as indicated.
(knit in the round)
Row 1: K 1, p 1, and continue around as indicated.

Skills set:
Knitting in the round

Wintergarden handbag

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Sophie Pitcher

This bag's name comes from the colours of the Noro wool used to make it -- wintery, with hints of spring blossom pinks and purples peeking through.

Wintergarden handbag

Moss stitch shows off the yarn's colours

Base (make two)

Using two strands of Colour B, cast on 42 stitches on 6.5 mm needles. First row: *K 1, p 1, repeat from * to end. Second row: *P 1, k 1, repeat from * to end.
Continue in moss st for 24 more rows. Cast off loosely.

Body

Knit the two base pieces together to form a pocket for the base insert, as follows: stack base pieces, one on top of the other. Using a single strand of Colour A and 4.5 mm circular needles, pick up and knit sts working through both base pieces as follows: beginning at one corner, pick up and knit 41 sts along the first long side of the rectangle, pick up and knit 25 sts along the short side. Pick up and knit 41 stitches along the second long side. Next, working through bottom base piece only, leaving pocket open for the insert, pick up and knit 26 stitches on the second short side; pm to indicate beginning of round (133 sts). Work in moss st until bag measures approx. 16 cm from base.

Shape handle tabs

Continuing in pattern: work 14 sts, cast off 13 sts; work 14 sts, cast off 25 sts; work 14 sts. Cast off 13 sts; work 14 sts and cast off last 26 sts, leaving four sets of 14 sts remaining on needle for four handle tabs. Using a separate strand of yarn for each handle tab, continue in moss st on circular needles but work back and forth across all four handle tabs for 26 rows. Cast off remaining stitches, leaving a tail of about 30 cm for sewing up.

Finishing

Fold each handle tab in half and pin in place on inside of bag. Using tail, sew up from the inside using whipstitch, taking care that stitches do not show through to outside of bag. Place plastic insert in pocket created at bottom of bag. Weave in any remaining ends.

Make handles

Cut dowel into two lengths, each approx 25 cm. Stain and varnish to colour desired. Slip dowels through stitched handles, apply PVA glue if necessary, and cap each end of each dowel with beads. You may need to use a drill to enlarge holes and could also use stainable wood putty to fill holes if desired.