The Clematis Shopping Bag is the perfect tote for any shopping trip, for toting groceries, or as a picnic/lunch tote for the individual or the whole family.

The large shopping bag and small lunch tote can be made striped and adorned with the Clematis flower for an eminently feminine look, or try rugby stripes or solids (without flower) for a great-looking but entirely unisex and utilitarian set of bags perfect for groceries, picking up items at the mall, or used for a family picnic or as individual lunch tote.

Felted bags are particularly well-suited as totes for groceries and picnics because they are naturally insulated, don't lose their shape or their immense carrying capabilities when wet, and withstand even harsh treatment, all the while looking fantastic.

Finished Dimensions

Small Bag

7 1/2 - 8” (18.75 - 20cm) wide
5 1/2 - 6” (13.75 - 15cm) deep
9 - 10” (22.5 - 25cm) tall

Large Shopping Bag:

12 1/2” (31.25cm) wide
3" (7.5cm) deep
14 - 15" (35 - 37.5cm) tall

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid Easy: Requires casting on, knitting and purling, picking up stitches in knitted fabric, knitting in the round on circular and double-pointed needles, and some hand-sewing during the finishing process.

Gauge

Pre-felted gauge : 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials

Yarn Requirements

Solid Color Bags

840 yds (768m)

Striped Bags

410 yds (375m) Mint
410 yds (375m) Lime

Clematis Flower

150 yds (137.15m) Lime
250 yds (228.5m) Violet
10 yds Crystal Palace Fizz in White

Needles and Other Materials

Size 6 (4mm) double pointed needles (set)
Size 11 (8mm) 24" (60cm) circular needle
Size 11 (8mm) double-pointed needles (set)
Tapestry Needle
Sewing Needles
Nylon beading thread
Locking stitch markers in 2 colors

Pictured Samples

The bag pictured was created using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Lime, Mint, and Violet.

Because these bags are unstructured, they must be worn like garments - they come alive on the body. The soft drape of each bag makes it relaxed enough to travel with you on any adventure, from the urban landscape, to a long anticipated evening out, to a spontaneous jaunt for a long weekend.

Finished Dimensions

Evening Adventure Bag

12” (30.5cm) wide across the front/back at bag bottom
3” (7.6cm) deep across the front/back at bag bottom
6 1/2” (16.5cm) tall

Urban Adventure Bag

15” (38cm) wide across the front/back at bag bottom
4” (10.15cm) deep across the front/back at bag bottom
9” (22.85cm) tall

Long Weekend Adventure Bag

20” wide across the front/back at bag bottom
6” deep across the front/back at bag bottom
14” tall

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid Easy: Requires knowledge of casting on, knitting and purling, picking up stitches in knitted fabric, increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round on circular needles, and some hand-sewing during the finishing process.

Gauge

Pre-felted guage: 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials

Yarn Requirements

Evening Adventure Bag

654 yds (600m) Plum
150 yds (140m) Sage

Urban Adventure Bag

1,090 yds (996m) Brown

Long Weekend

1953 yds (1785m) Autumn Gold

Needles and Other Materials

Size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles for the evening bag
Size 11 (8mm) 24" (60m), 32" (80cm) or 40" (100cm) circular needles
Size 11 (8mm) double-pointed needles
Sewing needle
Nylon beading thread
2 1 3/4" (4.5cm) purse rings
Noni 30" (76cm) custom YKK zipper with 2 bottom stops

Pictured Samples

All of the bags shown were created using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool.  Evening Adventure is pictured in Plum with Sage vine and leaves. Urban Adventure is pictured in Brown. Long Weekend is pictured in Autumn Gold.

Yoga practitioners will love the simplicity and functionality of this felted Yoga Mat Tote. A simple tie closure keeps it shut and the beautiful JUL rolled leather handle makes it comfortable on the shoulder. For those archers among us, it was pointed out to me that this might also make a great quiver!

The pattern also includes instructions for two sizes of Everything totes. These totes have nice wide bases so you can pack a lot into them. Fold in the corners for a decidedly vintage travel bag, or fill it to the top. A zipper closure keeps your things from spilling out all over the tarmac.

See the Additional Details Tab below for information about Finished Dimensions, Pattern Difficulty and Required Skills, Gauge, Required knitting needles and yarn, and other materials.

Finished Dimensions

For thinner mats

17" (43cm) circumference
25" (64cm) tall

For thicker mats

20" (51cm) circumference
25" (64cm) tall

Pattern Difficulty

Requires knowledge of knitting and purling, increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches, working in the round on circular needles, and some simple hand-sewing.

Gauge

Pre-felted gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.
Un-felted bag gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" (10cm).

Materials

Yarn Requirements

Yoga Bags: 825-875 yds (754-800m) (A)
                 50 yds (46m) (B)
Small Everything Tote: 250 yds (229m)(A)
                                  1500 yds (1372m) in (B)
Large Everything Tote:500 yds (457m) (A)
                                 2,165 yds (1,980m) (B)

Unfelted Bags

To make unfelted bags, use a single strand of worsted weight yarn (or smaller-gauge yarn that when held double is equivalent to worsted weight) and a size 8 (5mm) 24" (60cm) circular needle (or size needed to achieve the "felted" gauge). If using single strand of worsted weight yarn, use approximately 2/3 the yardage listed above; if using two strands of lighter-weight yarn, use the same yardage as listed above.

Needles and Other Materials

Size 11 (8mm) 16" (40cm) or 24" (60 cm) or 32" (80cm)
Size 11 (8mm) double-pointed needles (set)
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle
Nylon beading thread
Stitch markers to mark corners
30" (70cm) Jul handle with tabs in black (for Yoga bag)
2 JUL 24" (60cm) rolled leather handles with 2" (5cm) rings & leather tabs(for Small Everything Tote)
2 Jul 30" (76cm) rolled leather handles with 2" (5cm) gunmetal rings & leather tabs (for Large Everything Tote)
Double-capped rivets
Noni 30" (76cm) custom YKK zipper with 2 bottom stops
8 Noni 24mm bag feet (for Everything Totes)
A piece of Matt Board to stiffen the Everything Tote bottom

Pictured Samples

Sample bags were made with Stonehedge Fiber Mill Sheherd's wool. The Yoga Bag is made in Brown with contrasting I-cord edging and bottom in Berries. The two Everything Totes are made in Berries with contrasting I-cord edging and bottom in Brown.