Product Description
This makes a great beach bag, since the sand will fall out of it. Sand in the bottom of my bags is a problem here. :) With a few modifications, you can make this bag into a yoga mat bag, a water bottle bag, or a larger or smaller tote. It's incredibly stretchy, so don't worry if it looks small after it's knit up. Pattern note: A few people have had some issues with the openwork pattern. When you do a K2tog round, make sure you give a good tug on the work to pop the stitches into place. That will put the strand for the P1, M1 is in the right position. Note on the handles- The handles are really strong. The slip stitch plus the way it curls makes a really sturdy handle. I regularly load mine up with all the stuff I need for the beach or other things and while the handles do stretch, they haven’t failed me yet. A lot of it is in the way you sew them on. If you overlap them inside of the garter stitch border and sew a square with an x in the middle, it will add a lot of strength. A simple overcast seam with just the edges stitched together won’t be as strong, but takes less time. **Uses 360 yards of worsted weight yarn
Not a Sandy Bottom Beach Bag by Dorothy Dean
What is Being Made
Not a Sandy Bottom is a beginner-friendly knitted beach bag designed with an open, stretchy construction that allows sand to fall through the fabric rather than collect at the bottom. This practical tote features a finished circumference of 14 inches and a height of 13 inches, making it an ideal size for carrying beach essentials. The design is versatile and can be easily modified to create alternative projects such as a yoga mat bag, water bottle carrier, or larger or smaller tote bags by adjusting yarn quantities and dimensions.
Techniques Used
This knitting project employs several fundamental techniques suitable for beginner knitters. The bag is constructed using circular knitting, worked in the round to create a seamless tubular structure. The pattern incorporates openwork sections that create the characteristic loose, stretchy fabric allowing sand drainage. The project demonstrates the use of magic loop or two circular needle techniques as alternatives to double-pointed needles for the bag bottom, providing flexibility in needle choice based on knitter preference.
Stitches Used
The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which forms the foundation of the bag. The openwork pattern is created through a combination of knit two together (K2tog) decreases and purl (P) stitches, worked over 2-stitch repeats. This simple stitch combination creates the intentional gaps in the fabric that give the bag its sand-draining properties while maintaining structural integrity.
Materials and Gauge
The pattern calls for Lily Sugar N Cream yarn, a 100% cotton fiber in the Ecru colorway. Three skeins are required, with each skein containing 120 yards (110 meters) and weighing 2.47 ounces (70 grams), making this a worsted weight yarn ideal for quick project completion. The recommended gauge is 14 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Needles and Notions
- One set of US #10/6mm double-point needles for the bag bottom
- One 24-inch US #10/6mm circular needle for the main body
- One 24-inch US #8/5mm circular needle for finishing
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Four stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections
Project Characteristics
The bag's exceptional stretchiness means the finished piece will expand considerably during use, so the initial knitted dimensions may appear deceptively small. The cotton yarn selection provides durability and breathability, making it particularly suitable for beach use. The open-work construction is both functional—preventing sand accumulation—and aesthetically interesting, creating a lacy appearance while maintaining the bag's structural capacity. This beginner-level project offers an excellent introduction to circular knitting and pattern reading while producing a practical, wearable accessory.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Designer: | Dorothy Dean |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your experience.