Texel Bag in Rowan Moordale - Downloadable PDF

Texel Bag in Rowan Moordale

Project Overview

The Texel Bag is an advanced beginner knitting project designed by Lisa Richardson. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a structured bag using the Rowan Moordale yarn in a sophisticated colorwork design. The finished bag measures approximately 39.5 cm from the cast-on edge, making it a practical accessory for everyday use.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted bag with a defined shape and professional finish. The design incorporates a colorwork section followed by ribbed edging, creating visual interest and structural integrity. The bag features optional elastic detailing for added functionality and support.

Yarn Materials

The Texel Bag uses Rowan Moordale yarn, a premium worsted-weight yarn (373 yards per 100g). The pattern calls for:

• Yarn A: Feather 001 (2 x 100g balls) – the primary color
• Yarn B: Turmeric 003 (1 x 100g ball) – accent color
• Yarn C: Blue Moor 008 (1 x 100g ball) – accent color

The combination of these three Moordale shades creates a cohesive, sophisticated colorway suitable for contemporary knitwear.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires a combination of needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• 1 pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed sections
• 1 pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for the main patterned body
• 1 circular needle, 4mm (US 6), at least 80 cm long for seamless construction
• Optional: 55 cm length of 3 cm (1¼ inch) wide elastic for added structure

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Texel Bag employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for an advanced beginner level:

Colorwork Patterning: The bag features a 36-row repeat pattern worked in three colors. This repeat is worked 5 times, then rows 1 through 24 are completed once more, creating visual depth and interest through strategic color changes. This technique requires careful attention to yarn management and color placement.

Gauge and Tension: The pattern is worked to a tension of 27 stitches and 62 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the patterned section using 4mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the bag to reach its intended finished dimensions.

Ribbed Edging: After the colorwork section is complete, the pattern transitions to a classic knit-purl rib. The ribbing is worked as follows: Row 1 (right side) alternates knit one, purl one across; Row 2 reverses this sequence. This two-row rib repeat continues for 6 cm from the marked rows, creating an elastic, finished edge that frames the colorwork beautifully.

Stitch Techniques: The pattern incorporates standard knitting stitches including knit stitches, purl stitches, and color changes. The construction method uses markers to denote the transition point between the patterned body and the ribbed top, ensuring clean lines and professional finishing.

Finishing: The bag is cast off in rib, which maintains the elasticity of the ribbed section and creates a neat, professional edge. The optional elastic can be incorporated for additional structural support, particularly useful for a bag that will hold items.

Skill Level Considerations

Classified as advanced beginner, this project assumes familiarity with basic knitting techniques including casting on, knit and purl stitches, and color changes. The primary challenge lies in managing three colors throughout the 36-row repeat and maintaining consistent tension across the colorwork section. The transition to ribbing and final cast-off provide straightforward finishing techniques that reinforce fundamental skills.