Product Description
In college, my best friend had a fabulous bag. It was part purse, part bookbag, and entirely wonderful. To be honest, I donât actually remember that much about the bag itself. Was it leather or suede? Round or rectangular on the bottom? How big was it?
What I do remember though is its handle. Instead of ordinary handles, it had a series of rings attached to the top of the bag with one, long, connected handle threaded through them. The simple act of picking up the bag closed it. Putting it down and relaxing the handles opened it to get inside. Completely unique.
That, and they made the prettiest chime when they rubbed against each other.
Darn it, I wanted one! Soâ¦
MATERIALS ⢠Peace Fleece Worsted Weight yarn (200 yds/4 oz.), 3 skeins ⢠US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, in 24" length ⢠2 cable needles ⢠8 rings for the handle (between 1" and 2" in diameter, your choice) ⢠Crochet hook (optional) ⢠One yard of lining material (I
Dawn's Bag by Deb Boyken
Project Overview
The Dawn Bag is a knitted handbag designed by Deb Boyken that combines practical functionality with a distinctive closure mechanism. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile bag measuring 10 inches tall and 5 inches wide, suitable for everyday use as both a purse and bookbag. The bag's most notable feature is its innovative handle system: a series of rings attached to the top of the bag with a single long handle threaded through them, allowing the simple act of picking up the bag to close it and relaxing the handles to open it for access.
What You'll Create
This project produces a functional knitted bag with a structured body and a unique ring-and-handle closure system. The design merges practical storage capacity with an elegant, interactive opening mechanism that creates a pleasant chiming sound when the rings move against each other during use.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
The Dawn Bag employs cable knitting techniques, as evidenced by the inclusion of cable needles in the materials list. Cable stitches create textured, twisted vertical lines in the fabric that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished bag. The project uses standard knitting construction methods appropriate for an intermediate skill level, allowing knitters with some experience to successfully complete the piece.
Materials Required
- Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted Weight yarn (200 yards per 4 ounces), 3 skeins. Worsted weight yarn provides a medium thickness suitable for creating a durable, structured bag. Yarn substitutes of similar weight that wear well are acceptable alternatives.
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 24-inch length for the main knitting
- Cable Needles: 2 cable needles for executing cable stitches
- Hardware: 8 rings for the handle, each between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, chosen according to personal preference
Finished Dimensions
The completed bag measures 10 inches in height and 5 inches in width, creating a compact yet functional accessory suitable for carrying essentials.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Designer: | Deb Boyken |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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