Hexagon Felted Bag in Plymouth Gina - F506

Hexagon Felted Bag in Plymouth Yarn Gina – Pattern F506 Summary

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio (pattern code F506) guides knitters through the construction of a striking Hexagon Felted Bag made using Plymouth Yarn Gina. The finished bag measures approximately 10 inches wide and 10 inches tall (not including the handle), making it a practical and eye-catching everyday accessory. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is offered free with yarn purchase.

What Is Being Made

The project is a felted handbag constructed from geometric hexagon motifs. The bag's body is assembled from two hexagons, each made up of six individual knitted triangles sewn together. A strap and gusset are worked separately and joined to complete the structure. The felting process transforms the loosely knitted fabric into a dense, sturdy material perfectly suited for a bag that needs to hold its shape and withstand daily use.

Design and Construction Overview

The construction method is modular and highly satisfying for knitters who enjoy working in pieces and assembling them. The overall workflow breaks down into three main stages:

• Knitting the triangles: A total of 12 individual triangles are knitted, which are then assembled into two hexagon panels — one for each side of the bag.
• Assembling the hexagons: Six triangles are joined using mattress stitch to form each hexagon motif. The pattern specifically notes that the selvedge should be kept small and not too bulky, ensuring clean seams after felting.
• Strap and gusset: A separate strap and gusset piece is cast on and worked to connect the two hexagon panels and provide the bag's handle.

Techniques Used

This pattern introduces and reinforces several important knitting and finishing techniques, making it an excellent intermediate-level project:

• Knitting in the round on double pointed needles (DPNs): Each triangle is worked in the round on three DPNs, with stitches distributed evenly — 22 stitches per needle at cast-on.
• Modular / geometric construction: Building a larger shape from repeated smaller units (triangles into hexagons) is a hallmark of modular knitting, a technique that allows for creative color play and structured design.
• Decreasing: Each triangle is shaped entirely through strategic decreases. The pattern uses SSK (slip, slip, knit) at the beginning of each needle and K2tog (knit two together) at the end, creating six decreases per round and forming the triangular geometry.
• Mattress stitch seaming: The triangles are joined using mattress stitch, a nearly invisible seaming technique worked on the right side of the fabric that produces a flat, neat join — especially important here since the seams will be visible on the finished bag's exterior.
• Felting: The completed knitted bag is felted — a process in which the wool fibers are intentionally agitated, usually in a washing machine with hot water, causing them to shrink and mat together. Felting produces a thick, non-fraying fabric with a smooth surface. The gauge note confirms that each triangle measures 5 inches by 5 inches both before and after felting, indicating the triangles are relatively stable through the felting process.
• Finishing in the round / joining: Using a yarn needle to draw the yarn through the final remaining stitches and fasten off is a standard technique for closing the tip of each triangle neatly.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) — the primary stitch pattern used throughout the triangles, worked in the round as all knit stitches
• Garter stitch — referenced for the strap/gusset section, providing a firm, reversible fabric ideal for a bag handle
• SSK (slip, slip, knit) — a left-leaning decrease used at the start of each needle to shape the triangles
• K2tog (knit two together) — a right-leaning decrease used at the end of each needle to mirror the SSK and maintain symmetrical shaping