Bowling Bag in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic - Downloadable PDF

Bowling Bag in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic – Knitting Pattern by Wendy Kippax

This intermediate-level knitting pattern by designer Wendy Kippax guides you through creating a stylish, structured bowling bag — a classic silhouette reimagined in a rich, autumnal colour palette. Published by Deramores and available as a downloadable PDF, this project is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more textured stitch patterns. The finished bag measures 30cm in length, 12cm in width, and 15cm in height, making it a compact yet practical accessory perfectly sized for everyday essentials.

Design Overview

The bowling bag takes its name from the iconic rounded shape associated with traditional bowling bags — a structured, barrel-style form with a zippered closure. Wendy Kippax is known for drawing inspiration from history, travel, textures, and vibrant colours, and this design reflects that sensibility through its warm, earthy tones and richly textured stitch work. The combination of multiple colours and two distinct stitch patterns gives the finished bag a sophisticated, handcrafted quality that stands out from simpler knitted accessories.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK Acrylic yarn in three colourways, each used as a separate yarn designation:

• Yarn A: 1 x 100g ball in Paprika
• Yarn B: 1 x 100g ball in Butterscotch
• Yarn C: 1 x 100g ball in Gingerbread

Together, these three shades create a warm, tonal palette that complements the textured stitch patterns beautifully. Deramores Studio DK Acrylic is a DK weight yarn, offering excellent stitch definition — an important quality when working complex surface textures like those featured in this design. Acrylic yarn is also a practical choice for a bag, providing durability and ease of care.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires one pair of 4mm straight knitting needles. In addition to yarn and needles, the following extras are needed to complete the project:

• A closed-end zip measuring 30cm for the bag's top closure
• 4 x 1.5cm buttons for decorative or functional detail
• A tapestry needle for seaming and finishing
• Pins or stitch markers for marking sections during construction

Stitches and Techniques

Two distinct stitch patterns are used throughout the bag, each with its own tension specification, suggesting they are used across different sections of the design:

Woven Stitch

The woven stitch produces a dense, fabric-like texture that mimics the look of woven cloth. It is typically worked by alternating knit stitches with slipped stitches carried across the front or back of the work, creating a tight, interlocked surface. The tension for this stitch in the pattern is 24 stitches x 18 rows over 10cm.

Herringbone Cross Stitch

The Herringbone Cross stitch is a more intricate textured pattern that creates a distinctive diagonal, interlocking visual effect reminiscent of herringbone fabric. It typically involves crossing stitches over one another in a regular sequence, producing a bold surface texture with excellent structural integrity — ideal for a bag that needs to hold its shape. The tension for this stitch is 34 stitches x 25 rows over 10cm, reflecting its denser, more compressed nature.

Key Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern includes the following defined stitch abbreviations used throughout the instructions:

• SL1 — Slip one stitch
• Wyif — With yarn at front of work
• K2togtbl — Knit two stitches together through the back of the loop