Saltwater taffy bag

Saltwater Taffy Bag by Corrina Ferguson

Project Overview

The Saltwater Taffy Bag is an intermediate-level knitted bag designed by Corrina Ferguson. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a colorful, textured bag using a distinctive two-color construction method that combines garter stitch base work with intarsia colorwork on the front panel.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted bag featuring a unique construction approach. The bag begins with a provisional cast-on to create a base worked in garter stitch, followed by additional stitches cast on at the sides to expand the fabric. The front of the bag is then worked in intarsia, a technique that allows for large blocks of contrasting colors to be incorporated into the knitted fabric. The sample shown uses vibrant limeade green and Victorian pink colorways, creating a striking visual effect reminiscent of saltwater taffy candies.

Techniques Used

• Provisional Cast-On: The pattern begins with a provisional cast-on method, which allows live stitches to be picked up later for seamless construction
• Garter Stitch: Used for the base of the bag, creating a textured, reversible fabric
• Intarsia Colorwork: The front panel is worked using intarsia technique, enabling large sections of contrasting colors without carrying yarn across the back
• Cable Stitches: Decorative cable elements are incorporated throughout the design
• Felting: The finished bag is felted, which significantly changes the gauge and creates a durable, structured fabric

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p): Used in combination with knit stitches for textural variation
• Cable 8 Front (c8f): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle
• Cable 8 Back (c8b): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, a chunky-weight yarn. The sample uses 3 skeins of limeade (green) and 2 skeins of Victorian pink, totaling approximately 320 yards of green and 160 yards of light pink.

Needles and Notions: US Size 13 (9.0 mm) 24-inch circular needles are used for the main construction, with matching US Size 13 (9.0 mm) double-pointed needles for smaller sections. Additional tools include a cable needle for cable stitches, a tapestry needle for finishing, and a crochet hook for executing the provisional cast-on.

Gauge and Felting

The pattern provides two gauge measurements reflecting the dramatic changes that occur during felting. Before felting, the gauge is 12 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches. After felting, the gauge becomes significantly tighter at 16 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches. This substantial gauge change is characteristic of felted knit projects and results in a denser, more structured finished bag.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern requires familiarity with multiple knitting techniques including cable work, intarsia colorwork, and felting. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions and managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously.