This felting knitting pattern for a purse features self striping Taos yarn. It is knit in pieces to take advantage of the striping effect and then seamed together. The result is colorful stripes in two directions that looks so much more complex than it really is to knit! The bag has a soft, organic shaped look.

Gauge:
4.25 sts and 5 rows=1" in St st

Materials:
Crystal Palace Bamboo or DAISY Needles Size 10.5 US (6.5 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Size J-10 (6 mm) crochet hook
Snap
Crystal Palace Yarns TAOS 2 - 50 gr balls - #06 Albuquerque

Instructions

Front
Piece 1:
CO 13 sts. Work in St st 12" or 60 rows. BO.
With RS facing, along side edge pick up 54 sts.
Work in St st 3" or 15 rows. BO.
Piece 2:
Same as Piece 1.
Seam Piece 1 to Piece 2 along long side.

Back
Work as for Front.

Bottom Panel
Determine which direction you want Front and Back to face.
Along bottom edge of either Piece, with RS facing pick up 54 sts.
Work in St st 2" or 10 rows. BO.
Seam other Piece to Bottom Panel, matching direction chosen for first Piece (or not if you wish).
Side Panels
Along side of Bottom, with RS facing pick up 11 sts. Work in St st 12" or 60 rows. BO.
Rep on other side.
Finishing
Seam Side Panels to Front and Back.
Work 1 rnd single crochet around top edge.
Weave in ends on WS.

Handle
Divide remaining yarn into thirds. Tie together one end. Twist (but don't twist so much that it kinks) and tie the other end. Seam each end to middle inside of each Side Panel. If you wish to make a thicker handle, make I-cord.

Felt
Put the bag in the washer along with a pair of jeans or canvas tennis shoes. Use a small amount of detergent and a low water level with a hot temperature. Wash for five minutes. Stop the cycle and check to see if is felted as tightly as desired; the longer you wash it, the smaller and more felted it will become. If the bag is not quite felted enough, continue washing and carefully check every few minutes. When felted, remove and rinse in cold water. Blot with towel. Top edges will be somewhat scalloped. You can leave these or shape the bag; the fabric will still be malleable so don't be afraid to pull it in various directions. Once it is the desired size and shape, you can stuff it with plastic bags or styrofoam blocks if needed. Allow to dry completely.

Sew on snap.

Pattern Copyright 2006 Crystal Palace Yarns/Straw Into Gold, Inc. - We are happy to share this  pattern with knitters. The pattern may be used for non-commercial personal or knitting guild use. It is not to be used in any publication in print nor should it be reproduced in electronic/digital format without permission. Knitting shops carrying CP Yarns TAOS are welcome to print and share this pattern with customers of our yarns.

Visit Barbara Breiter's Web site www.knittingonthenet.com for more knitting patterns and information.

Retail shops in the USA should contact CPY Wholesale for information on purchasing
Crystal Palace Yarns and email cpyinfo -at- straw.com (replace the -at- with @)

or write to:
Crystal Palace Yarns, 160 23rd St., Richmond, CA 94804
phone: 510-237-9988,  fax: 510-237-9809