Bags in Sirdar Smudge - 7864- Downloadable PDF

Bags in Sirdar Smudge – Pattern 7864: Two Knitted Bag Designs

Pattern 7864 from Sirdar is a downloadable PDF offering two distinct knitted bag designs, both worked in Sirdar Smudge yarn. Each finished bag measures approximately 35 x 30 cm (13¾ x 11¾ inches), making them a practical, everyday size suitable for shopping, carrying essentials, or use as a stylish tote. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore cable knitting and structured construction methods.

Design One: The Cabled Bag

The first design is a structured Cabled Bag, featuring decorative cable panels that give the finished piece a classic, textured appearance. Cables are one of the most recognisable and satisfying techniques in knitting, created by crossing groups of stitches over one another to produce a twisted, rope-like effect on the fabric surface.

Stitches and Techniques

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the foundation fabric of the bag, formed by alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic surface
• Garter stitch (g-st) – used in the base construction, worked by knitting every row to produce a dense, ridged fabric with good stability
• C4B cable – the signature cable stitch of this design; worked by slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the back, knitting 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 held stitches from the cable needle, creating a four-stitch right-leaning cable cross
• Cable needle technique – a short auxiliary needle is used to hold stitches temporarily while the cable cross is worked, a fundamental skill in cable knitting
• Thumb cast-on method – used for casting on stitches during construction
• Shaping with cast-off and cast-on within a row – used to create handle openings within the knitted fabric itself, a neat integrated approach to forming slots for wooden handles

Construction

The back and front panels are worked identically, simplifying the knitting process. The base is constructed separately in garter stitch and then joined to the main panels. The handle openings are formed directly within the knitted fabric by casting off and casting on stitches within the same row, creating neat slots through which the wooden handles are attached. A stocking stitch casing is folded over to finish the top edge neatly.

Finishing

• Base and side seams are joined, with the side of the base sewn to the cast-on stitches for a tidy, structured finish
• A lining fabric (1 metre required) is cut to shape and slip-stitched into the interior for a professional, durable result
• A pair of 14 cm x 20 cm (5½ in x 8 in) wooden handles are attached through the knitted handle slots

Materials

• Yarn: Sirdar Smudge shade 009 – 3 x 100g balls
• Needles: 1 pair of 6mm (UK 4 / USA 10) knitting needles
• Cable needle required
• 1 pair of wooden handles (14 cm x 20 cm)
• 1 metre of lining fabric

Tension

The cabled pattern requires 12 stitches and 17 rows to 10 cm (4 in) on 6mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential to ensure the bag knits up to the stated measurements.

Design Two: The Bag with Threaded Handles (Shopper Bag)

The second design is a more relaxed Shopper Bag, worked primarily in stocking stitch for a clean, smooth fabric. Rather than integrated wooden handles, this version features a practical strap made from upholstery webbing