Octopus Drawstring Bag

Octopus Drawstring Bag by Knits By West

Project Overview

The Octopus Drawstring Bag is a knitted container designed to store small items such as dice, cards, talismans, gifts, or gems. This downloadable knitting pattern, created by designer Deborah Anne West, provides complete instructions for constructing a charming cephalopod-themed bag from start to finish, including the body and decorative tentacles. The pattern features step-by-step guidance with accompanying pictures to clarify the more intricate construction techniques involved in bringing this whimsical project to life.

What You'll Create

This knitting project results in a functional drawstring bag with octopus-inspired design elements. The finished bag measures 10 inches in length and 3.5 inches in width, making it an appropriately sized container for holding small treasures and collectibles. The pattern is economical with yarn consumption, making it an excellent choice for utilizing leftover yarn from other projects.

Yarn and Materials

The Octopus Drawstring Bag pattern accommodates a wide range of yarn weights, including 3-ply, 4-ply, DK, worsted, heavy worsted, and aran weights. This versatility means you can successfully complete the project using various yarn types, from acrylic to hand-dyed wool and other specialty yarns. The designer has tested the pattern across multiple yarn varieties with consistently excellent results, giving crafters flexibility in material selection based on available stash or desired aesthetic.

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended gauge for this pattern is 5-6 stitches and 8-9 rows per inch when working in stockinette stitch. While gauge flexibility is somewhat forgiving for this particular design, achieving a slightly tighter knit is advisable for optimal results. Knitters with a naturally loose tension may benefit from selecting a needle size one size smaller than typically recommended to achieve the desired fabric density.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This advanced-level knitting pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to construct the bag and its distinctive tentacle details. The core fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic knitted surface that forms the bag's body.

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the stockinette fabric throughout the project
• Purl (P): Purl stitches are incorporated as part of the overall stitch pattern and construction
• Yarn Over (YO): This increase technique creates decorative eyelets and shaping elements within the pattern
• Knit into Front and Back (K1FB): This increase method adds stitches to expand the fabric where needed, particularly useful for shaping the bag's body and tentacle sections
• Right Lifted Increase (RLI): An alternative increase technique that provides a refined appearance when adding stitches throughout the construction

The "fiddly bits" referenced in the pattern description—likely referring to the tentacle construction and drawstring integration—are clarified through the included instructional photographs, making this advanced project accessible to experienced knitters willing to work through more complex shaping and assembly steps.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as advanced, reflecting the complexity of constructing the octopus form with its multiple tentacles and the precision required for the drawstring bag closure. However, the detailed photographic guidance helps demystify challenging sections, making it an achievable project for intermediate knitters seeking to expand their skills into three-dimensional and sculptural knitting.