Hue + Me: Folio Tote
Crochet is usually king when it comes to bags and totes, but who says knitting can't have a seat at the table? With a couple specific design choices, a knit bag can be just as functional and dare I say, more chic, than a crochet bag! My favorite choice for the season is the new Folio Tote - free pattern below, printable PDF for purchase here, and all the yarn you need from Lion Brand here.
One of the difficulties with a knit bag is the stretch factor. Crochet fabric is dense and tight while knit fabric tends to have more drape and drag to it. How to combat it? Choose a smaller than usual needle and embrace the slouch! The Folio Tote is worked up in a tight stockinette stitch and forms a silhouette that is meant to collapse and look relaxed.
Stockinette is the most classic knit fabric, but the caveat is that it curls like crazy. While that can be a style choice, I opted for a doubled over top edge - almost like a double brim beanie - to lock in the curl and create an even sturdier handle. Win, win!
When I developed the original Hue + Me palette, and even when I added the six new colors, one thing I was always conscious of in addition to making the whole palette flow was to create "buddies" for each color. These are pairs of colors that are close in hue but vary in shade and tone. Oftentimes there are actually triplets in the palette - groups of three colors that basically look like they're from the same family. One of these groupings is Toast, Mustard, and Arrowwood. I love the monochromatic mood these three colors produce when paired up so I chose to use two of them for the Folio Tote to give it a fresh, modern feel.
The color pairings are truly endless with Hue + Me, and I love how personalized this project can be because of that. Choose colors that match your winter coat, represent your school or favorite team, or that feel seasonally special!
This is a beginner level knitting pattern and the only techniques are the knit stitch and working in the round.
MATERIALS
2 skeins Lion Brand Hue + Me in Arrowwood (617-132)
1 skein Lion Brand Hue + Me in Toast (617-124)
(bulky, weight 5; 137yds/125m per skein)
Size US 10.5 (6.5mm) circular knitting needles, 24”/60cm long
Stitch markers or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS
(A) Width: 13”/33cm
(B) Length: 16”/40.5cm
GAUGE
13 sts + 19 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette in the round
ABBREVIATIONS
CO – cast on
K – knit
Rep – repeat
St(s) – stitch(es)
Notes: Bag is worked in the round from the top down.
With color A, CO 84 sts. Being careful not to twist sts, join in the round and place marker for beginning of round.
K in the round until work measures 3”/7.5cm.
Fold work up into itself so that the CO edge is aligned with the sts on the needles and the wrong sides are facing each other. Using the left needle, pick up the first CO st and knit it together with the first live st. Continue this process all the way around so that the CO edge is now connected to this last round to form a doubled tube.
Create the handle:
Next round: K 9, bind off 24, K 17, bind off 24, K to end of round.
Change to color B.
Next round: K 9, CO 24, K 18, CO 24, K to end of round.
K in the round for 2.5”/6.5cm.
Change to color A.
K in the round for 1.5”/4cm
Change to color B.
K in the round for 2.5”/6.5cm.
Change to color A.
K in the round until work measures 14.5”/37cm from handle.
Bind off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Use mattress stitch to seam bottom edge across.
Secure and weave in all ends.
Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.
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