How to Finish a Knitting Pouch

It's the finishing that turns a plain tote into a knitting pouch.

A knitting pouch makes keeping your knitting safe from the mysterious gremlins that steal your needles when you put your work down, or the cat that thinks your yarn is the best toy (or bed) ever. Knitting pouches also let you take your work with you, whether you want to work on your project while commuting to work or visiting a friend's house. However it is how you finish your knitting pouch that makes all the difference. Otherwise, there would be little difference between using a knitting pouch and stuffing your work into a tote bag.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles
• Yarn
• Fabric
• Rope
• Thread
• Sewing needle
• Closure (e.g. buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners)

Instructions

Felting

1. If you knit your knitting pouch with wool, felting is a good option. Just place your finished pouch in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and zip or clip the bag shut.

2. Wash the bagged pouch in hot water with a few other items in order to agitate it. The friction applied to the wool is what makes the knit fabric felt. Use cold water for the rinse to set the felting.

3. Allow the pouch to air dry with crumpled paper or plastic bags in it. If you want to felt the pouch even more, dry it for a few minutes in a dryer before shaping it. Shaping has to be done while the pouch is still somewhat damp.

Lining

1. If you are adding a fabric lining to the pouch, cut the fabric slightly smaller than the size of your finished pouch dimensions. You want your lining to mirror the pouch, so be sure to include a gusset if your pouch has one. Likewise, if your pouch has a round bottom, so too should your lining. If you are using a knit lining, knit the pieces slightly smaller than the pouch.

2. Sew together your lining pieces.

3. Stitch the lining into your knitting pouch. Be sure to turn down any raw fabric edges.

Pockets

1. Add pockets by sewing a square of knit or sewn fabric directly onto the pouch. Pockets can be sewn to the inside or the outside of the knitting pouch.

2. Cut or knit your fabric to size. Hem any raw fabric edges.

3. Sew the pocket in place.

Closure

1. If using a button for your pouch's closure, make a button hole or loop for securing the button and secure it to the bag. Stitch the button in place.

2. If using a zipper, open the zipper all the way and place it along the top edge of the bag, face down. Align one side of the zipper with the top edge of the bag. The left side of the zipper (when face-up) should be aligned with the left side of the bag. Stitch the zipper into place. Turn the zipper over. The correct side of the zipper is now facing you. Sew the zipper into place on the other side, making sure to place the zipper under the pouch exterior.

3. If using hook-and-loop fasteners or ties, sew these items into place.

Tips & Warnings

• If you add a lining, tacking the bottom will ensure the lining stays in place (or at least in the bag).

• If you are adding interior pockets and a lining, sew your pockets to the lining before stitching the lining into place.

• If you are knitting or sewing your handles, wrap your knitting or fabric around an equally long length of rope to give your handles more stability. If you do this, use a few extra stitches to secure the handle to the pouch.

• Consider carefully the type of closure you use for your knitting pouch. A zipper may look nice, but it could snag your yarn. Likewise, your yarn could be snagged or marred by hook-and-loop fasteners or an awkward button.

• Felting shrinks knit wool fabric.

References

• Knit Ca; Cable Bag; Maryna Shevchenko
• Lion Brand Yarn: Tips and Techniques > Fabulous Felt
• Martha Stewart; A Brand New Bag; Martha Stewart Living; June 2005
• Berroco: Knitting Tote

Resources

• Ravelry: Search > Free Knitting Tote Patterns
• Lion Brand Yarn: Patternfinder > Free Bag, Tote, Purse Patterns