How to Knit a Cotton Shopping Bag
A cotton mesh-style knit shopping bag makes an ideal replacement for wasteful paper and plastic bags. The cotton is hardwearing and washable so it can be used repeatedly. It stretches to hold a large volume of shopping, is strong enough to carry heavy items and yet it is lightweight and scrunches up to fit inside a purse or pocket. The pattern is suitable for an experienced knitter or a novice looking to learn some new techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 balls of 100 percent cotton yarn, worsted weight or similar
- Size 8 circular knitting needle (16 or 24 inches)
- Stitch marker
- Stitch holder (optional)
Instructions
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1
Using two of your double-pointed needles, cast on eight stitches. Divide these stitches between four double-pointed needles so that there are two stitches on each needle. Be careful not to twist the stitches and be sure to place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.
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2
Knitting in the round, knit the eight stitches as follows: on each needle, knit 1 (K1); wrap the yarn under and over the right-hand needle without knitting (this is called a "Yarn Over" and is abbreviated as YO); then knit the second stitch. At the end of the first round you should have 12 stitches in total with three on each needle.
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3
Knit all 12 stitches for one round. For the following round: K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 on each needle. You should have 20 stitches in total with five on each needle. Knit all 20 stitches for one round.
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4
For the next round, K1, YO then knit until there is one stitch left on the needle; YO; then K1. Repeat this for each needle, then knit all the stitches on the next round. Repeat these two rounds until there are 25 stitches on each needle or for a larger bag continue until the base of the bag is your desired size.
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5
Transfer all your stitches to the circular needle. Work one round in the following pattern to create a stretchy mesh fabric: Knit two stitches together (K2Tog), YO, repeat until the end of the round. Work the next round by knitting every stitch.
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6
Repeat the above two rounds until the sides of the bag measure around eight to ten inches in height, then work five rows of ribbing in the following manner: Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat.
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7
Knit 10 stitches in the established ribbing pattern; bind off 40 stitches; knit 10 stitches in the established ribbing pattern; bind off 40 stitches. At this point you can leave the second set of 10 stitches on the cable, or transfer them to a needle holder.
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8
Knit the first set of 10 stitches flat following the ribbing pattern until the handle measures around 12 to 20 inches or your desired length. Bear in mind that the bag and handle will stretch considerably when you use it to carry shopping.
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9
Join the handle to the other side of the bag and bind off all the stitches using the three-needle bind-off method. To do this, slip the 10 stitches from the other side of the bag onto one of the double-ended needles or any spare knitting needle of a similar size. Hold the "live" stitches on both needles together in your left hand. Use the empty needle in your right hand to bind off one stitch from the front and one from the back needle together as if they were one stitch. Bind off all the stitches in this manner and weave in any loose ends.
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Tips & Warnings
You can substitute other types of yarn for cotton but try to choose a non-stretchy and washable yarn.
The size of the bag is customizable--change the size of the base or sides by knitting in the established pattern until they are the size you want.
You can make the bag more colorful by knitting in stripes, or using a contrasting color for the ribbing section and the handle.
