The Magnolia Tote is as practical as it is striking. Different styling offers different utility with the changing silhouette: it is my favorite farmer's market companion; with the sides pulled out straight, and roomy enough for orchard-ripe apples, fresh kale, collards, multi-colored carrots, and fresh, home-grown mushrooms. Once home and divested of treasures, tuck in the sides for a more efficient silhouette: this tote is ideal for shopping in narrow store aisles. Keep the top snapped but reach in the sides for your wallet, or snap your tiny purse, Ready, Set, Go!, to the JUL leather handle (like I always do), and your cash and cards are at the ready when you get to check out.
Felted bags are naturally insulated, so this tote is as great for picnics as it is for your latest knitting project.
The finishing can be minimal, as you see here: the top edge is secured and strctured by an Amazing Snap flanked by two rivet-in snaps hidden behind the JUL flat-strap 28 inch Forager handles. I left the bottom soft so it drapes against my side. For a more structured, formal appearance, the finishing can be more elaborate, with a structred bottom decorated with bag feet, a pocket filled lining, and even embroidery! Let Magnolia be the latest canvas for your creativity.
This pattern is also for sale on Ravelry.
See the Additional Details tab below for information about pattern difficulty, finished dimensions, gauge, required materials, and other information about the pictured samples.
Intrepid Intermediate to Experienced Knitters: pattern requires knowledge of knitting and purling using stranded color work methods with careful attention to maintaining an even tension. Requires knitting flat, knitting in the round on circular needles, and picking up stitches. Sewing is used in the finishing process for more elaborate finishing details.
Tote body is 23.5" (59.7cm) wide across the entire front/back at top with bag folded flat
The height is 13.5" (17.5cm) from bottom edge to top edge
Tote bottom: 10.5" (26.75cm) wide x 9" (23cm) deep
Between 12 - 13 sts and 14 - 15 rows over 4” (10cm) with double-stranded worsted weight yarn on size 11 (8mm) needle worked in color pattern. The most important aspect of gauge here is consistency througout piece and even tension. If you can, please try to achieve gauge on a size 11 needle as that size was critical in the felting process. Please also make sure your carries are loose enough that the knitting remains flat and does not buckle.
The pictured tote was made in Stonehedge Fiber Mill’s Shepherd’s Wool (worsted weight; 100% merino wool; 250 yds [229m] 4 oz [110g] skein) in the following colors:
The pictured tote was made in Stonehedge Fiber Mill’s Shepherd’s Wool (worsted weight; 100% merino wool; 250 yds [229m] 4 oz [110g] skein) in Raspberry and Hot Pink with a Black and White edging at the top.
First Edition:
The unfelted gauge information has been adjusted. Here is the new, updated information on Pre-Felted Gauge:
Between 12 - 13 sts and 14 - 15 rows over 4” (10cm) with double-stranded worsted weight yarn on size 11 (8mm) needle worked in color pattern. The most important aspect of gauge here is consistency througout piece and even tension. If you can, please try to achieve gauge on a size 11 needle as that size was critical in the felting process. Please also make sure your carries are loose enough that the knitting remains flat and does not buckle.
The second edition also contains charts in greyscale so you can easily choose which color (Main or Contrast) to make the dark and light colors, respecively.