Cable and Pompom Bag

Cable and Pompom Bag by Sian Brown

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a structured handbag featuring bold cable knit panels combined with decorative pompoms. Designed by independent designer Sian Brown, the Cable and Pompom Bag is an intermediate-level knitting project ideal for crafters looking to expand their skills with cable techniques. The finished bag measures 28 cm wide by 32 cm deep, offering practical everyday carrying capacity with designer appeal.

What Is Being Made

The Cable and Pompom Bag is a knitted tote-style handbag constructed with two distinct cable knit panels that showcase contrasting cable patterns. The bag features a structured silhouette enhanced by faux leather handles and is lined with wadding for durability and shape retention. Pompoms provide a playful decorative accent to this otherwise sophisticated accessory.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that build on foundational skills. Cable knitting is the primary technique featured throughout the design, requiring the use of a cable needle to create twisted rope-like textures. The pattern incorporates stocking stitch as the base fabric, alternating with cable sections to create visual interest and texture contrast. Crafters will practice tension management to ensure proper gauge and finished dimensions, and will work with shaping techniques to construct the bag's structured form.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cable and Pompom Bag utilizes two primary cable stitch patterns:

• Cable 1 (18 stitches): A larger cable pattern worked over 16 rows featuring C12F (cable 12 front) and C12B (cable 12 back) abbreviations. This stitch creates prominent twisted columns worked across 18 stitches, with knit stitches on right-side rows and purl stitches on wrong-side rows. The cable crosses every 8 rows, alternating between front and back crosses to create a dynamic, dimensional effect.
• Cable 2 (8 stitches): A smaller cable pattern worked over 16 rows using C8B (cable 8 back) technique. This stitch is worked across 8 stitches with similar knit and purl row structure, creating a tighter, more delicate cable twist compared to Cable 1.

Both patterns are worked in stocking stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) as the foundation, with cable crosses interrupting the smooth texture at strategic intervals. The pattern abbreviations C12F/B and C8F/B indicate slip stitches onto a cable needle, hold at front or back of work, then knit stitches from the left-hand needle followed by stitches from the cable needle—the fundamental technique for creating cables.

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for Wendy Botanics yarn in the colorway Juniper (5405), a 100% acrylic fiber available in 100-gram balls with 170 meters of yardage per ball. Two balls are required to complete the project. The yarn weight is chunky, making this a relatively quick knit despite the cable detailing.

Essential tools include 6.5mm knitting needles and a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches. Additional materials needed to finish the bag include lining fabric and wadding cut to fit the bag dimensions, and a pair of faux leather handles measuring 40 cm long for the bag straps.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 14 stitches by 20 rows over a 10 by 10 centimeter swatch in stocking stitch. Achieving correct tension is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions of 28 cm wide by 32 cm deep. Crafters should knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and structure.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters are comfortable with basic stitches and shaping. The cable techniques require attention to detail and familiarity with cable needle manipulation, making this an excellent project for advancing beyond beginner-level skills while creating a functional, wearable accessory.