Genoa Tote Bag

Genoa Felted Tote Bag by Javori Designs

Project Overview

The Genoa Felted Bag is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Andi Javori that creates a practical and stylish tote bag. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a finished felted bag measuring 14" x 10" x 3 ½" (35.5cm x 25.5cm x 9cm) before felting, with the felting process adding durability and a refined aesthetic to the final piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a felted tote bag—a versatile everyday bag suitable for carrying essentials. The bag features a structured design with defined dimensions and optional reinforcement elements. The felting process transforms the knitted fabric into a denser, more durable material that holds its shape exceptionally well, making it ideal for a functional accessory.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Genoa Felted Bag employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to create visual interest and structural integrity:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch used throughout the project, providing a smooth, classic fabric base
• Cable Crossings – The pattern incorporates decorative cable techniques including C2R (Cross 2 Right) and C2L (Cross 2 Left) stitches, which create twisted, interlocking stitch patterns that add texture and visual depth to the bag
• Felting – The finished knitted piece undergoes a felting process that matts the wool fibers together, creating a thicker, more structured fabric with enhanced durability

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Genoa Felted Bag pattern calls for sport weight yarn, specifically two skeins of premium wool:

• Yarn A: 1 skein of Beet Street Yarn Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn in color LL6 (100% Wool, 600m/150g)
• Yarn B: 1 skein of Beet Street Yarn Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn in color EX (100% Wool, 600m/150g)

Both yarns are 100% wool, making them ideal for felting. The two-color combination allows for creative colorwork or contrast effects within the bag design.

Tools and Notions

The pattern requires US6 (4.0mm) knitting needles or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch.

Optional materials include Pellon Peltex 70 Ultra Firm Stabilizer for reinforcing the bag bottom, providing structure and preventing sagging. Additional optional elements include fabric lining material to place over the interfacing, along with a needle and matching thread for securing the lining if desired.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, the Genoa Felted Bag is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with cable stitches and understand gauge and felting techniques. The pattern's single size makes it accessible without requiring size adjustments.