Felted Bag

Felted Bag by Vickie Hartog

What Is Being Made

This is a felted knit bag designed by Vickie Hartog. The bag is constructed using a unique two-part construction method: an i-cord foundation that forms the base structure, followed by a main bag body worked in the round. The finished piece undergoes a felting process to create a dense, textured fabric with a professional finished appearance.

Construction Technique and Process

The Felted Bag uses a distinctive construction approach that begins with an i-cord worked on double-pointed needles. The i-cord serves as the foundation and measures 166 rows in length. This tube-like structure is then turned sideways, and live stitches are picked up along its length to begin the main bag body.

The main bag is worked in the round using a circular needle, which eliminates seaming and creates a seamless construction. Stitches are picked up from both sides of the i-cord foundation, doubling the stitch count to 166 stitches total (83 stitches picked up and repeated once). The bag body is then worked following a stitch graph for approximately 62 rows before shaping occurs in rows 62 through 73.

After the knitting is complete, the entire bag undergoes a felting process that transforms the knit fabric into a denser, more structured material. This felting step is essential to the final appearance and durability of the finished bag.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• I-cord: A fundamental technique that creates a small knit tube by working stitches on double-pointed needles without turning the work between rows. Stitches are slid to the opposite end of the needle and worked again, creating the characteristic rounded tube shape.
• Knit stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the pattern
• K2Tog (Knit two together): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count by one
• PSSO (Pass slipped stitch over): A stitch technique used in combination with other decreases for shaping
• Stitch markers: Used to denote pattern repeats and round beginnings
• Graph-based knitting: The main bag body is worked following a stitch graph, allowing for patterned or textured design elements

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This pattern is worked using worsted weight yarn held doubled throughout, which creates a thicker, more substantial fabric ideal for felting. The pattern calls for double-pointed needles (dpn) for the initial i-cord construction and a circular needle for working the main bag body in the round.

Skill Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with fundamental techniques including cast-on methods, basic stitches, working with double-pointed needles, and circular needle techniques. Familiarity with reading stitch graphs and understanding felting principles is beneficial for successful completion.

Format and Delivery

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it accessible for immediate use and convenient reference during the knitting and felting process.