Edendale Bag

Edendale Bag by Sharon Slarke

What is Being Made

The Edendale Bag is a textured knitted tote bag designed as a simple rectangular construction with no complex shaping. This intermediate-level project creates a practical, structured accessory measuring 39cm (15¼ inches) wide by 35cm (13.75 inches) tall. The bag features a firm, durable fabric ideal for everyday use, finished with woven fabric lining and bamboo handles measuring 21cm (8¼ inches).

Construction and Techniques

This knitting project employs a straightforward construction method that makes it accessible for intermediate knitters. The bag is knitted as a single rectangle, eliminating the need for complex shaping or increases and decreases. Assembly is minimal, requiring only side seams to be sewn and handle casings to be attached. The designer deliberately chose to knit on smaller needles—3.75mm—to create a firmer, more structured fabric that will hold its shape and support the weight of items carried in the bag. This technique of needle sizing to achieve desired fabric density is a fundamental approach in garment construction.

Stitch Pattern

The Edendale Bag features the Trellis Cross Stitch, a textured stitch pattern sourced from volume three of Creative Knitting, a 1980s English knitting series. This stitch pattern works over a multiple of 6 stitches and combines knit and purl stitches with cable techniques to create visual interest and texture across the bag's surface.

The Trellis Cross Stitch pattern is constructed as follows:

• Row 1: Purl 2 stitches, then repeat knit 2, purl 4 across to the last 4 stitches, ending with knit 2, purl 2
• Row 2: Knit 2 stitches, then repeat purl 2, knit 4 across to the last 4 stitches, ending with purl 2, knit 2
• Row 3: Begins with a right-leaning cable cross (Cr3R), created by slipping the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and leaving them at the back of the work

The cable techniques incorporated into this stitch pattern create the characteristic textured appearance that defines the bag's aesthetic. The combination of knit, purl, and cable stitches produces a fabric with visual depth and dimension.

Materials and Yarn

The Edendale Bag is designed to be knitted using DK weight yarn (also known as 8 ply yarn). The pattern specifies Sirdar Escape as the recommended yarn, a blend of 51% wool and 49% acrylic, with each 50g ball providing approximately 110 meters (120 yards). A total of 6 balls is required to complete the project.

The pattern accommodates yarn substitution, allowing knitters to use any other DK or 8 ply weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content. This flexibility makes the project adaptable to personal preferences and yarn availability.

Tools and Notions

Essential knitting tools for this project include 3.75mm needles (or the size required to achieve the specified gauge) and a cable needle for executing the cable stitches within the Trellis Cross Stitch pattern. Beyond the knitting supplies, the bag requires woven fabric for lining to finish the interior and a pair of bamboo handles measuring 21cm (8¼ inches) to complete the finished accessory.

Gauge

The specified gauge for the Edendale Bag is 31 stitches to 10cm (4 inches) when working the Trellis Cross Stitch pattern using 3.75mm needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and the intended fabric density that provides the bag's structure and durability.