Owl Tote Bag / Purse

Owl Tote Bag / Purse by Kraftling

Project Overview

The Owl Tote Bag / Purse is a knitted medium-sized everyday carryall designed by Joleen Kraft and available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This intermediate-level knitting project combines functional bag construction with decorative owl motif detailing, finished dimensions of 35.6 cm wide by 31 cm tall (14 inches by 12 inches). The designer created this pattern to fulfill a practical need for a versatile tote while incorporating an antique purse handle and contributing a unique owl design to the growing collection of owl-themed knitted accessories.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a structured tote bag suitable for daily use, featuring two knitted panels that form the main body of the bag. The design includes attached straps measuring 4 cm wide by 36 cm long (1½ inches by 14 inches), and incorporates decorative elements including buttons and twigs positioned on the sides of the bag to enhance the owl aesthetic. The finished bag is designed to accommodate a purse handle—either an antique handle or a modern alternative—which serves as both a functional closure and a design feature.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Owl Tote Bag pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The bag panels are constructed using basic knit and purl stitches worked in alternating rows to create texture and structure. The pattern uses a straightforward stitch sequence with odd rows worked in purl and even rows worked in knit, establishing a consistent fabric throughout the main body panels. The straps are knitted as separate components and attached to the bag body, allowing for even tension and professional finishing.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Knit Stitch (K): Used on even-numbered rows to create the primary fabric structure
• Purl Stitch (P): Used on odd-numbered rows to establish texture and visual interest in the finished knit
• Cast-On: 50 stitches cast on to begin each bag panel
• Stockinette Variation: The alternating knit and purl rows create a textured fabric rather than traditional stockinette stitch

Yarn and Materials

Yarn: The pattern calls for five 50-gram balls of Cotton Mix by Schoeller & Stahl in grey, providing a total yardage of approximately 275 meters (250 grams total weight). The chunky yarn weight creates a substantial, durable fabric suitable for a tote bag that will withstand regular use. The cotton blend composition offers breathability and a natural drape appropriate for an everyday carryall.

Needles and Tools: The pattern requires 5mm and 4mm knitting needles for different sections of the project, along with a 5mm crochet hook or stitching needle for finishing details. These needle sizes are selected to achieve the specified gauge of 7 stitches and 11 rows per 2 inches on the bag panels.

Additional Materials: Completion of this project requires six buttons for decorative detailing, two twigs (one for each side of the bag) to enhance the owl design, thread and needle for secure attachment of buttons and twigs, and an optional purse handle. The designer notes that an antique handle can be sourced from online marketplaces such as eBay, though modern purse handles are suitable alternatives.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The specified gauge for the bag panels is 7 stitches and 11 rows per 2 inches when worked with the recommended yarn and needles. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for producing a bag with the intended finished dimensions. The completed bag measures 35.6 centimeters in width by 31 centimeters in height (14 inches by 12 inches), with straps measuring 4 centimeters wide by 36 centimeters long (1½ inches by 14 inches).

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and have experience completing simple projects. The intermediate classification reflects the combination of straightforward stitch work with the added complexity of assembling multiple components, attaching a purse handle, and incorporating decorative elements such as buttons and twigs into the finished design.