ILENE BAG

This is a very stretchy bag, with a comfortable wide strap that wont dig into your shoulder when youve got a big load of fruit or yarn or rocks. The yarn is machine washable and dryable, so if a tomato squishes its no big deal. The strap isnt very long, which is intentional because I dont like stretched out straps that leave the bottom of the bag dangling by my knees. If you want a longer strap, plan on more yarn, or else do fewer repeats of the mesh pattern before working the ribbing. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.

By Hannah Ingalls - iknityouknot.blogspot.com

Materials: 1 skein Louet Euroflax Sport 100g/270yd (more for larger bag) 24 circular needles, sizes 4 and 6 US

Gauge: 20 sts over 4 on in Stockinette stitch on larger needles

Mesh Pattern: Round 1 *YO, K2tog. Repeat from * around. Round 2 Knit.

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Base: On larger needles, CO 40 sts. Work back and forth in St st for 25 rows (about 4), ending with a RS row.

Body: With RS facing you, pick up and knit 28 sts along left (short) edge of rectangle, 40 sts along bottom (long) edge of rectangle, and 28 sts along right (short) edge of rectangle. (136 sts) Place marker, and join for working in the round. Knit 3 rounds. Beginning with the next round, work Mesh Pattern for 50 rounds (25 repeats - about 8 unstretched), ending with Round 2. Knit 2 rounds. Next Round (switch to smaller needles) - *K1, P1. Repeat from * around. Work 6 more rounds in ribbing as established (about 1).

Handle: Work 10 sts in ribbing as established. Note: Mesh Pattern creates a fabric which spirals, so that the beginning of each round no longer lines up neatly with the corner of the base of the bag. Working these ten stitches before binding off for the long edges of the bag will help to straighten this out. BO 43 sts loosely in rib, work 25 sts in ribbing as established, BO 43 more sts loosely in rib, and work 25 more sts in ribbing as established.

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(86 sts bound off, 2 sections of 25 live stitches remain on opposite sides of the bag.) Place one group of 25 on stitch holder, or leave on cable section of needle. Work back and forth on other group of 25 sts, continuing in ribbing, until handle is desired length, or until about 36 of yarn remains. Align 25 handle sts with 25 sts from holder, and using 3-Needle Bind Off technique* bind off all sts to inside of bag. Weave in all ends.

*Many tutorials of this technique are available online.

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