Little Bag

Little Bag by Lizzie Rose Knits

Project Overview

The Little Bag is a free downloadable knitting pattern designed by Lizzie Rose Knits. This project combines flat knitting and circular knitting techniques to create a practical, finished bag suitable for storing small items. The pattern is estimated to take approximately 5 hours to complete, making it an accessible project for knitters with intermediate skills.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a small, functional bag constructed through a two-stage knitting process. The bag begins with a flat rectangular panel that serves as the base and sides, which is then transformed into a three-dimensional vessel by picking up stitches along the edges and working in the round to create the body and top of the bag.

Techniques Used

The Little Bag employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure:

• Flat knitting: The initial panel is worked flat on straight needles, using alternating knit and purl rows to create a textured fabric base
• Slip stitch edge: Slipping the first stitch of each row creates a neat, finished edge that is ideal for picking up stitches later
• Picking up stitches with a crochet hook: After completing the flat panel, a crochet hook is used to pick up stitches from the sides, transitioning the project from flat to three-dimensional construction
• Circular knitting: Once stitches are picked up, the pattern transitions to working in the round using the knitter's preferred method (double-pointed needles, circular needles, two circular needles, or magic loop technique)
• Increase stitches (kfb): Knit front and back increases are strategically placed to shape the bag and accommodate the transition from the flat base to the rounded body

Stitches Used

The Little Bag uses fundamental knitting stitches that create a clean, straightforward fabric:

• Knit stitch: The primary stitch used throughout both the flat and circular sections
• Purl stitch: Used in alternating rows during the flat knitting phase to create texture and visual interest
• Slip stitch: Applied to the first stitch of each row during flat knitting to create a polished selvage edge
• Knit front and back (kfb): An increase stitch used strategically in the circular knitting section to expand the stitch count from 80 to 84 stitches, shaping the bag's body

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend, a DK weight yarn. One skein provides 7.05 ounces (200 grams) and 392 yards (358 meters), which is sufficient to complete this project.

Needles and Hooks: The pattern requires 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles for the flat knitting phase. For the circular knitting phase, knitters may choose their preferred method of working in the round: 4.5mm (US 7) double-pointed needles, a 4.5mm circular needle, two 4.5mm circular needles, or the magic loop technique. Additionally, a 5mm crochet hook is needed to pick up stitches from the sides of the completed flat panel.

Pattern Construction Details

The bag is constructed in two distinct phases. The flat phase begins by casting on 20 stitches and working alternating knit and purl rows with slipped stitch edges until the piece reaches 6 inches (15 centimeters) in length, approximately 40 rows. The circular phase begins by picking up 20 stitches from each side of the flat panel using the crochet hook, creating a total of 80 stitches. After one plain round, increases are worked at four points around the bag to expand to 84 stitches. Subsequent rounds are worked in stockinette stitch (knit all rounds) until the bag reaches the desired height of 5 to 6 inches (12 to 15 centimeters), after which the stitches are bound off to finish the top edge.