The Design

“A favorite stitch. A favorite yarn.”

Designed by Churchmouse friend Karen Alfke and first published in our summer 2012 newsletter, this knitted project doubles up on linen goodness! Knit in linen stitch (and in a linen-blend yarn), the fabric has a deceptively woven look. The free pattern also includes instructions for an optional strap to create a cross-body bag and for creating a little sachet with your leftover yarn!

For this version of our Linen-Linen Project Bag, we chose Rowan Creative Linen—a versatile yarn that combines the cool, dry hand of linen with the soft loft of cotton. At a light worsted-weight, Creative Linen has a slightly rustic texture and nice heft. Strong and hardy in linen stitch, it’s a great choice for our little project bag!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Bag: Approx. 10 x 12"/25.5 x 30.5cm, after seaming. Optional strap: Approx 48"/122cm long.
Sachet: Approx. 3 x 41⁄2"/7.5 x 11.5cm, after seaming.

YARN
Bag: 2 skeins Rowan Creative Linen (219 yds/200m each). Optional: 15 yds/14m in a contrasting color (CC) for tea towel-style striping (see note below).
Or approx. 300 yds/274m total of an equivalent light worsted-weight plant-fiber yarn.
Add approx. 70 yds/64m for optional strap.
Sachet: 1 skein Rowan Creative Linen (219 yds/200m each) yields 7 sachets.
Or approx. 30 yds/27m of an equivalent light worsted-weight plant-fiber yarn per sachet.

Bag shown in color (MC) 621 Natural, and (CC) 635 Stormy.
Sachet shown in color 635 Stormy.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 9 (5.5mm) needles , or size needed to obtain gauge.
Blunt darning needle to finish.
Optional: US 8 (5mm) needles, or one size smaller than gauge needle for strap.
For hanging loop, 9"/23cm piece of ribbon, matching thread and sewing needle.

GAUGE
Approx. 28 sts/40 rows = 4"/10cm, in linen stitch.