Brigitte Shopping Bag in Rowan Kid Classic and Summerlite 4 Ply - ROC013 - Downloadable PDF

Brigitte Shopping Bag by Elinor Voytal – Knitted Bag Pattern Summary

The Brigitte Shopping Bag is a beautifully crafted knitted tote designed by Elinor Voytal and published by Rowan as a free downloadable PDF pattern (reference ROC013). This intermediate-level project produces a stylish, structured shopping bag featuring elegant lace panels, a decorative border, and embellishments including Swarovski beads. The finished bag measures approximately 32 cm (12½ in) wide at the base and 34 cm (13½ in) deep, making it a practical yet luxurious accessory.

Yarns Used

The pattern calls for two distinct Rowan yarns, each contributing different textures and weights to the finished piece:

• Yarn A – Rowan Kid Classic in shade Feather (828): An aran-weight yarn used for the main body of the bag, including the lace pattern sections. Two 50 g balls are required. Kid Classic is a luxuriously soft yarn with a subtle halo, making it ideal for showcasing lace stitches with beautiful drape and definition.
• Yarn B – Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply in shade Still Grey (422): A 4-ply weight yarn used for the finishing sections of the bag. One 50 g ball is required. Summerlite 4 Ply is a lightweight, crisp cotton yarn that provides a clean contrast to the softness of Kid Classic.

Needles Required

• 1 pair 5 mm (no 6) (US 8) needles – used for the main lace body of the bag worked in Rowan Kid Classic
• 1 pair 3 mm (no 11) (US 2/3) needles – used for the finishing sections worked in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 17 stitches and 33 rows to 10 cm, measured over the lace pattern using 5 mm (US 8) needles and Rowan Kid Classic. Achieving the correct tension is particularly important for a bag, as it directly affects the finished dimensions.

Techniques and Construction

The Brigitte Shopping Bag is worked flat on straight needles and incorporates several distinct knitting techniques across different sections of the bag. The construction progresses from a lace-patterned body through a decorative border section, with yarn and needle changes marking the transitions between these areas.

Lace Pattern

The main body of the bag is worked in an 8-row repeating lace pattern using Rowan Kid Classic on 5 mm needles. This lace creates an open, airy texture that showcases the soft halo of the Kid Classic yarn beautifully. The lace section continues until the work measures 30 cm, with a decrease of one stitch at the centre of the final lace row to shape the piece.

Key stitches and techniques used within the lace pattern include:

• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the lace
• sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) – a left-leaning decrease used to balance the lace design
• sl 1, K2tog, psso (slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over) – a central double decrease creating a sharp lace point
• P3tog (purl three together) – a purl-side decrease used on wrong-side rows of the lace
• yon (yarn over needle), yfrn (yarn forward and round needle), and yfwd (yarn forward) – various yarn-over increases that create the characteristic open holes of the lace pattern

Border Pattern

Following the lace body, the pattern transitions into a 2-row repeating border pattern, still using Rowan Kid Classic on 5 mm needles. This border uses a distinctive technique of working decreases while deliberately leaving