The LaPorte Ave Tote plays with cable size, knitting direction, and light felting to create a slouchy but structurally sound bag. Sharon Dreifuss contrasts an all-natural, softly spun wool single and a tightly plied wool to create cables with both soft and crisp stitch definition.
Finished Size 36" circumference at widest point and 24" circumference at upper edge; 13 1⁄2" high.
Yarn Naturally Naturelle Aran 10 Ply (100% wool; 186 yd [170 m]/100 g): #151 silver gray (MC), 3 skeins. Naturally Harmony 10 Ply (100% merino; 116 yd [106 m]/50 g): #803 dark brown (CC), 10 skeins. Yarns distributed by Fiber Trends.
Yarn Weight #4 - Medium
Needles Top of bag cable and shoulder strap—size 9 (5.5 mm). Cabled belt—size 8 (5 mm). Body of bag—size 15 (10 mm): 24" circular (cir). Belt loop I-cords—size 13 (9 mm): 2 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Markers (m, one in a different color for beg of rnd); tapestry needle; 3" wooden circular belt buckle with center stem; one 3⁄4" round magnetic snap; 4" grosgrain ribbon (for snap backing).
Gauge 10 1⁄2 sts and 15 rows = 4" in St st on largest needle, before felting.
Originally Published Interweave Knits Fall 2009