The first thing that I did once I decided to make a bag like the one my daughter brought home with her this week, which you can see here, was photograph, draw, and measure it. Next I knit a test piece and put it through the washer and dryer a couple of times. After that, I decided to change the size of my needles.

Then I knit what will be the bottom of my bag. I used size 9 US (5.5 mm) needles, and medium (4) wool yarn. This piece is 20 stitches across, and has 75 rows. It measures about 6” X 12″. I used two strands of yarn, one Natural Mix and one New Denim, and I wound them together to produce a marled effect. I also used a seed stitch (knit one , purl one, alternating by row).

I think this will be a sturdy bottom for my bag, once it is felted. I left yarn at each end of this piece to attach it to the sides of the bag. Next, I will make the handles for my bag, and then the shoulder strap, using the same yarns and stitch as the bottom piece. I may need to reinforce these with twine, but I will meditate on that!