Bag Knitting Patterns

A bag has to carry things

That sounds obvious, but it is the thing that many people lose sight of when making their first bag project. Knitted fabric stretches, and a bag full of shopping applies constant downward force to a structure with no seams to resist it. Every good bag pattern deals with this somehow: a firm stitch pattern, a lining, a felted fabric, a reinforced base, or handles that are worked separately and sewn on rather than knitted as a continuation of the body. When you are choosing from this collection, look at how the pattern solves that problem before you look at the colour and overall style.

Types of bag here

• Market and string totes: open mesh or lace in cotton, which stretches enormously to hold your shopping and folds into a pocket.
• Felted bags: knitted large in pure wool, then deliberately shrunk in the machine into a dense, firm fabric that behaves almost like canvas or leather.
• Cabled and textured handbags: lined, structured and usually the most rewarding to knit.
• Project and knitting bags: roomy, drawstring or handled, with a flat base.
• Clutches and small purses: a single evening, and a good home for one precious skein.

Fibre choice matters more than usual

Cotton and linen are the traditional bag fibres for good reason: they are strong, hard-wearing, and their lack of elasticity is a virtue when you do not want the bag to grow. Wool is the choice for felting, where the shrinkage is the whole design. Acrylic is fine for lightweight or decorative bags but stretches out under weight and does not felt at all. T-shirt and fabric yarns give a sturdy, structural bag with very little knitting. If you are substituting, be aware that swapping a wooly yarn into a cotton pattern will usually produce a bag that sags within a week.

Handles, bases and linings

Handles take all the strain. Sewn-on handles are stronger than knitted-on ones, and an i-cord handle worked over several strands, or a strap reinforced with cotton webbing on the inside, will likely outlast the bag itself. Wooden or acrylic bag handles are a neat option for a structured handbag. For bases, a knitted rectangle worked in a firm stitch and picked up around is stronger than starting from a circle, and a piece of plastic canvas or stiff card cut to fit the base transforms how the bag sits. A fabric lining sewn in by hand stops small items falling through the stitches and is the single biggest upgrade you can make to any knitted bag.

Felting, if the pattern calls for it

Felted bags are knitted much larger than the finished size, in non-superwash wool, then machine washed hot with agitation until the stitches disappear. Always felt a swatch first and measure the shrinkage in both directions; it is rarely equal, and vertical shrinkage is usually greater. Check the bag mid-cycle rather than trusting a timer, because felting cannot be undone. Pull the wet bag into shape over a box or a stack of books and let it dry completely before use.

Care and repair

Wash according to the fibre — cotton bags will take a cool machine wash, felted wool bags should be spot cleaned only. Reshape damp and dry flat. If a handle starts to stretch, unpick it and reinforce it rather than waiting for the failure; if the base sags, add a stiffener. A knitted bag that is properly lined and correctly handled will last for years of real use.

Knitted bag questions

Are there free knitting bag patterns here? Yes, free PDFs are included alongside paid designs.

Which yarn is best for a knitted bag? Cotton or linen for strength and shape retention, or non-superwash wool if the pattern is designed to be felted.

Do I need to line it? Not always, but a fabric lining stops stretch and keeps small items from slipping through. It is the best improvement you can make.

Is a bag good for a beginner? Yes — a simple garter stitch tote with sewn-on handles involves no shaping and teaches seaming.

How do I stop the handles stretching? Sew handles on rather than knitting them in one piece, work them over several strands, and reinforce with webbing inside. Browse more knitting patterns for ideas.