Artesian Tote in Imperial Yarn Columbia - P114 (Downloadable PDF)

Artesian Tote in Imperial Yarn Columbia – Felted Knitted Water Bottle Tote Pattern (P114)

This downloadable PDF pattern by designer Jean Lampe, published by Imperial Stock Ranch, guides knitters through creating the Felted Artesian Tote — a charming, functional water bottle carrier worked in 100% wool and then felted to produce a dense, moisture-absorbing fabric. The finished tote is sized perfectly to cradle a standard water bottle, keeping iced drinks cool in both summer and winter. Because 100% wool naturally absorbs moisture, the tote prevents the condensation drips and water rings that plastic or synthetic carriers cannot. This is an intermediate-level knitting project and an excellent introduction to the felting technique for knitters who are comfortable working in the round.

What Is Being Made

The project is a felted water bottle tote bag with a knitted strap, worked in multiple colors of Imperial Yarn Columbia 2-ply wool sourced from the historic Imperial Stock Ranch in Maupin, Oregon, USA. The tote is knitted larger than its finished size and then deliberately felted — shrunk and matted in a washing machine — to achieve its final compact, sturdy dimensions. The result is a tightly structured, insulating carrier that stands up on its own and resists moisture transfer.

• Finished size before felting: 10 inches (25.5 cm) in length, 14 inches (35.5 cm) in circumference
• Finished size after felting: 9½ inches (24 cm) in length, 12 inches (30.5 cm) in circumference
• Note: Felted dimensions may vary slightly depending on individual felting conditions.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round — the body of the tote is worked seamlessly in the round on circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming
• Felting (wet felting via washing machine) — the completed knitted piece is intentionally agitated in hot water to shrink and fuse the wool fibers, creating a dense, firm fabric with no visible stitch definition; this is a hallmark technique for 100% wool projects
• Provisional cast-on — used when beginning the strap, allowing live stitches to be accessed later if needed
• Decreasing — worked at the top of the tote to shape and close the bottom or crown of the bag using k2tog (knit two together) decreases in a series of rounds
• I-cord or flat strap knitting — the strap is worked flat by slipping the first stitch of every row to create a neat, tidy edge over a long length of 52 inches (132 cm) before felting
• Finishing — yarn tails are threaded through remaining live stitches and pulled closed; ends are woven in on the wrong side to secure

Stitches Used

• Reverse stockinette stitch — the main body of the tote is worked in reverse stockinette stitch, which gives the outside of the bag a distinctive purl-bump texture; this texture felts beautifully and adds visual interest
• Knit stitch (k) — used throughout, including in the strap and decrease rounds
• K2tog (knit two together) — a right-leaning decrease used to shape the tote in the final rounds, reducing stitch counts in a structured sequence
• Slip stitch (sl 1) — used at the beginning of every strap row to create a clean selvedge edge

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in reverse stockinette stitch, measured before felting. Achieving the correct pre-felting gauge is important because the felting process will shrink the fabric by a predictable amount to reach the stated finished measurements.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for Imperial Yarn Columbia 2-ply (100% Columbia wool), a yarn spun from fleece raised at the Imperial Stock Ranch in Maupin,