Checkerboard Knitted Bag Pattern: Vintage

Simple knitting and purling of stitches makes this attractive knitting or shopping bag. It can be made any desired size.

Abbreviations: K (knit); p (purl); tog (together); O (yarn over); to make an eyelet–(k 2 tog, O twice, k 2 tog); sts (stitches)

Checkerboard Knitted Bag

Checkerboard Knitted Bag: Click To View Larger

• Cast on 40 sts or 10 sts for every 2 1/4-inch.
• Row 1: K 5, p 5 across row.
• Repeat row 1 for 5 more rows.
• Row 7: P 5, k 5 across row.
• Repeat row 7 for next 5 rows.

Alternate these two groups to height of bag desired.

Top of Bag

Two different ways of closing the bag are shown. For the style shown at the top of illustration:

• K a row and p a row for 4 rows.
• Row 5: (K 1, eyelet) 3 times, k 10, (eyelet, k 1) 3 times. The 10 sts in the center of each side of bag leaves a place in center to grasp the draw string or cord as a handle.
• Row 6: P this row. P the first O and k the second O.
• Row 7: K a row.
• Row 8: P this row.
• Row 9: K this row. Bind off.

The top shown in lower portion of illustration is made exactly the same only with a row of eyelets completely across top–this is (k 1, eyelet) repeated, ending with an eyelet. This completes one side. Make a second piece.

Sew sides together and across bottom. Leave about one inch open on each side of bag.

Knitted Cord

Take a large size sewing spool and drive four nails equally spaced around top; let each nail protrude about one half inch above the spool. Number each nail 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Numbering Nails On Spools: How To Start

• To start, pull the end of the yarn or thread through the hole of spool, leaving about a 4-inch length showing as in sketch. Pass the working end of thread around hook number 1, which should be directly in front of you. Loop yarn around hook number 2 and bring to number 3, then to 4; now you are back to hook 1 and ready to knit.
• Hold spool or device in left hand with the yarn and the knitter ( a small size knitting needle) in right hand. Pass the thread around the hooks from right to left. Insert needle from outside into lp around hook 1 and below the working thread, pick up stitch or loop and slip it over the working thread, dropping if off the hook. Always take off sts from the left side of hooks. A little pull of the end thread will help to keep the sts even. The knitted piece will gradually come through the end of spool. Continue to knit until you have the desired length of cord.
• To bind off, hold spool with number 1 in front of you. Take the last st off its hook and place it on hook to the left of it. Now drop the bottom st over it. Repeat until one st remains. Cut yarn, leaving a few inches and slip the last lp through st, drawing it tight.
• To add more yarn or thread, or to join different colors, place the two ends of yarn together and make a knot about one half inch from end. When you reach the knot in knitting, simply tuck the loose ends into center of cord.
• For the draw string style, make two pieces of cord each about one yard long. Lace one cord through the eyelets one way and the second in the same manner starting from opposite side. Knot the ends together and form a loop if desired.

How To Knit On Spools

Make two cords each about 16 inches long for the top bag. Make a knot on each end.

Pattern Source: The WorkBasket Magazine (1952)

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