The front and back of this bag are each worked in the round and shaped with short rows and strategically spaced decorative increases to form the octagon shape. Each piece is worked outward from the cast-on edge (worked in contrasting yarn to form the handle opening) to the bind-off edge (also worked in contrasting yarn). The front and back are joined with a wedge-shaped gusset of contrasting yarn along the lower half of the bag. The finished bag is felted in the washing machine.
Finished Size: About 15" (38 cm) wide, 15" (38 cm) high, and 3" (7.5 cm) deep.
Yarn: Fiesta Yarns Kokopelli (60% mohair, 40% wool; 130 yd [119 m]/50 g): #K28 chokecherry red (MC), 2 skeins; #K07 cajeta tan (CC), 1 skein.
Yarn weight: #4 - Medium
Gauge: 10 sts and 14 rnds/rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st with 2 strands held together, before felting; about 12 sts and 15 rnds/rows = 4" (10 cm) after felting.
Needles: Size 11 (8 mm): 16" and 24" (40- and 60-cm) circular (cir). Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.
Originally Published: Interweave Knits, Summer 2003