Tote Bag in Mirasol Pima Kuri - M5099 - Downloadable PDF

Tote Bag in Mirasol Pima Kuri - M5099: A Knitted Bag Pattern by Fran Morgan

This pattern by designer Fran Morgan provides instructions for knitting a stylish and practical tote bag using Mirasol Pima Kuri yarn. Rated as an Easy skill level, this project is an excellent choice for beginner knitters looking to build confidence while creating a functional, everyday accessory. The finished bag measures 25cm/10in wide and 15cm/6in deep, making it a compact yet versatile carry-all.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a knitted tote bag with carefully shaped sides. The design incorporates structured side shaping to give the bag its form and dimension. Four buttons, each 4cm/1½in in diameter, are used as part of the construction or embellishment, adding a charming, tactile detail to the finished piece. The bag is worked flat using a circular needle, a common approach that allows for a comfortable grip on a larger number of stitches without the weight and restriction of straight needles.

Techniques Used

Although rated beginner-friendly, this pattern introduces a thoughtful combination of shaping techniques that help knitters develop their skills:

• Side shaping — the bag is shaped along its sides to create structure and depth rather than remaining a simple flat rectangle.
• Increases (m1) — a make one increase is worked by picking up a stitch in a previous decrease stitch, a clever technique that neatly restores stitches while maintaining a tidy fabric.
• Decreases (k2tog) — a knit two together decrease is used during the shaping rows, creating a clean, right-leaning reduction in stitch count.
• Slipped stitches — stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn forward at the end of certain rows, a technique that creates a neat, reinforced edge, particularly useful on a bag that will see regular use.
• Picking up stitches from previous rows — the m1 increases are worked specifically into the stitch created by a prior k2tog, linking rows together in a structured and intentional way.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch — the primary stitch pattern throughout the bag. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row when working flat, producing a ridged, reversible fabric with natural elasticity and excellent stitch definition. It is also wonderfully sturdy, making it ideal for a bag that needs to hold its shape.
• k2tog (knit two together) — a basic decrease stitch used in the shaping sections.
• m1 (make one) — an increase stitch worked by lifting and knitting into a stitch from a previous row.
• sl pw (slip purlwise) — stitches slipped with the yarn held to the front, used to create a clean selvedge edge.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Mirasol Pima Kuri, a worsted weight yarn — 2 x 100g skeins in color #15. Pima Kuri from Mirasol is crafted with the quality and texture characteristic of the Mirasol brand, offering a smooth, durable fabric well-suited to accessories like bags.
• Needles: Circular needle, 4mm (US 6), 60cm/24in long, or the size needed to achieve the correct tension.
• Notions: Stitch holder, yarn needle, and 4 buttons measuring 4cm/1½in in diameter.

Tension

The pattern requires a tension of 20 stitches and 42 rows to 10cm/4in over garter stitch. Achieving the correct tension is important to ensure the bag knits up to the stated finished measurements. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size as necessary.

Who Is This Pattern For

This pattern is ideal