Knitting Pattern – Shopper- Shopping Bag – Beach Bag BIG NETTY – No.218E

Knitting Pattern – BIG Netty Shopping Bag by WoolAffair

Project Overview

BIG Netty is a spacious knitted shopping bag and beach bag designed by WoolAffair. This beginner-friendly knitting pattern creates a functional tote with generous dimensions of 60 cm width by 45 cm height, with total length including handholds reaching 70 cm. The large, open-net construction makes it ideal for carrying groceries, beach items, or everyday shopping needs while allowing contents to be easily visible.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large netted shopping tote bag featuring an open mesh construction. The bag includes integrated handholds for comfortable carrying and is designed with a simple, practical aesthetic suitable for both casual shopping and beach use. The net-like structure provides breathability and flexibility, making it perfect for wet items or produce.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The pattern utilizes circular needles (minimum 32 inches in length) to work the bag in the round, creating seamless construction
• Selvedge stitch: Edge stitches are worked as selvedge stitches to create clean, finished edges
• Yarn over increases: Yarn over stitches create the openwork, netted texture characteristic of the design
• Bind-off and cast-on techniques: Strategic binding off and casting on stitches within rows create the handleholds
• Decrease methods: Knit 2 together and purl 2 together decreases shape the bag structure

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): Primary stitch for building the fabric
• Purl stitch (p): Used in alternating rows to create texture variation
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative openings in the mesh pattern
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): Decrease stitch for shaping
• Purl 2 together (p2tog): Decrease stitch worked on purl rows
• Selvedge stitch (SS): Edge treatment stitches for neat finishing

Materials Required

Yarn: 400 grams of super bulky weight yarn with a yardage of approximately 120 meters per 200 grams. Super bulky yarn creates quick results and produces the substantial, open-net texture essential to this design.

Needles and Tools: Circular knitting needles in US size 15 with a minimum length of 32 inches for working the main bag body, plus US size 36 needles (12 inches) for smaller sections. Additional tools include a sewing needle without a tip and scissors for finishing.

Gauge Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 7 stitches by 10 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working stockinette stitch on US size 15 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for creating a bag with the intended finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it accessible to knitters new to bag construction. The straightforward stitch combinations and clear abbreviations guide knitters through the process, though familiarity with circular needle techniques is beneficial.