Suggested yarn: This was designed with the beautiful Pennsylvania Avenue series from Plied Yarn Company. www.pliedyarns.com This fiber is perfect for this application as it has the strength to stand up to long term use and the friction associated with handling the bag. Although many yarns would look lovely in this design, Plied makes an exceptional product that will make this handbag a treasured heirloom. If working at the gauge outlined, and with the same yarn, you will need either a total of 8 skeins = 2CC and 6MC or 7 skeins = 2CC and 5MC if you work with the balance of all of your MC colors for the bottom panel.

Yarn weight: Worsted (9 wpi)

Gauge: 22 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches in Garter Stitch

Needle Size: US 3 - 3.25 mm

Yardage: 318 - 360 yards (291 - 329 m). I am working with a worsted/aran weight fiber but using a 3.25mm (US3) needle to really make this as dense a fabric as possible for durability. If knit at this tension, the yardage is as follows:

MC Color 1: 98m (108yds)
MC Color 2: 64m (70yds)
MC Color 3: 68m (74yds)
MC Color 4: 75m (82yds)
MC Color 5: 198m (216yds)

CC Color: 162m (178yds)

Sizes available: One Size; Adjustable with Needle Size. This large handbag measures app. 24cm (9.5”) at the opening, 51cm (20”) at the widest part at bottom, 27cm (10.5”) in depth at bottom edge, and 24cm (9.5”) in height (including the portion that wraps around the handle).

Language: English

Techniques: This design uses both garter stitch and stockinette stitch, short-row shapes, i-cord edging, lateral braids, and slipped stitches along with a provisional cast-on and center double decreases. Information is included.

Finishing: Wooden Handles were purchased through Amazon for this design. The link is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KH7PD71?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo…

If you don’t have access to Amazon, don’t want to spend the money to purchase a set of three handles, or would prefer to make these yourself, I have included a vector diagram with measurements for you to use for this design element. You could also decide to use a braided cord, rope or woven strap as the handle instead.

Additionally, I cut a cork panel to fit inside the bottom of the handbag to give it more structure. This measures 9.5”x20”. The cork used was purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099KNQLTQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_p....

As previously written, if you don’t want to work with this product you can choose to create your own, but I do recommend using something, otherwise the bottom really falls limp and hangs weirdly. I wanted to stay away from using plastic, however if you had a thick piece of flexible plastic, thin cardboard, or heavy wool felt, it could be cut to the dimensions above and work great too.

One more add-on feature that I would recommend including is a metal framing element. This would be inserted just inside the top lip of the bag under the handles and extending to either side where the lateral braid creates the corners. This can be found here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF1V39PH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_p... The third largest size works perfectly for this design. I did however NOT use this in any of the photographs shown, so it is completely optional! I personally like the way that it looks in this area as it adds a bit of extra structure to the finished piece.

Grafting: There are two different grafting techniques used for this design - one for stockinette and the other for garter stitch.

Diagrams: Vector diagrams are included in this design to serve as both a map for shape placement along with a color planning sheet. I have also included diagrams for cutting an optional liner.