rustic mesh bag

So far, all my knitted projects are modified ones, albeit accidental (although I have a whole set of DPNS, I am severely limited with my current collection of CNs so cannot always obtain the specified gauge). I have only scribbled the modifications on pieces of papers and by the time I finish a project, I’ve lost track of the steps! Well, with this latest project, I made sure to write down the steps as neatly as I can, and even took pics with each progress. So here it is, the knitting instructions for the Rustic Mesh Bag.

I must acknowledge CyberSeams.com for sharing their pattern “Mesh Market Bag With Cell Phone Accessory Pockets”, from which the knitted Rustic Mesh Bag is a modified variation. 

Following the original Instructions, the bag is knit strap first, and top to bottom. Casting on 14 sts for the strap, I started off in St st with a ribbed edge. However, even as I got to the 26^th row, the curling wasn’t prevented. So then I decided to make two shorter straps instead, and while still generally continue to follow the pattern instructions, mentally worked out that the body would have a wide brim and narrow bottom. 

While the jute twine used for this bag is really coarse, it is strong for holding up something heavy, and the fibrous texture and natural brown colour gives the bag an aesthetic rustic look. The bag would be practical in the garden, either for carrying gardening tools or carrying garden produce!

Needles: 5.1 mm DPN, 4.5 mm CN, 6.0 mm CN.

Yarn: Jute Twine (20 m per skein; I used approximately 105 m of twine, that’s just over 5 skeins!).

Gauge: not important

Instructions

1. Knit the straps.
1. With 5.1 mm DPN, co 14 sts (I used long tail CO method).
2. Row 1: k to end;
3. Row 2: k2, p10, k2;
4. Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 24 more rows (Total: 26 rows).
5. Make 2 straps (I started the second strap on a second ball with a 3^rd DPN).

  

2. Bag upper band.
1. Start with one of the straps in 1) above.
2. Transfer all the live sts from the straps above onto a 6.0 mm CN; the rest of the bag is knitted in the round, therefore it will be easier to knit with a CN.
3. With the 14 sts  already on the needle, CO 14 more sts (following CyberSeams.com, I used Knitted CO method);
4. Pick-up sts from the other end of the strap, making sure the strap is not twisted, with the curl facing inward. (Total: 14+14+14=42sts);
5. With 42 sts now on the needle, CO 46 more sts (with the Knitted CO method). (Total: 42+46=88 sts);
6. Repeat Steps 2b-e with the second strap, but for Step 2e, CO 47 sts. (Total: 42+47=89 sts);
7. Join the two straps, as in ‘joining the round’. There are two joints, BO one joint, and continue working with the other. Place a marker at the beginning of this round  (Total: 88+89=177 sts);
8. k 11 rounds in seed st.

  

3. Bag body
1. Continue with the 6.0 mm CN;
2. First, bring back the number of sts to an even number.
3. Rnd 1: k2tog, (yo, k2tog)*; rep to st marker  (Total: 176 sts);
4. Rnd 2: k to end;
5. Rnd 3: (yo, k2tog); rep to st marker;
6. Repeat Steps 3d-e for 8 times (Total: 16 rnds).

 

7. Next row (NR): switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
8. NR: k42, (k2tog)* rep 23 times, k42, (k2tog)* rep to st marker (Total: 130 sts);
9. NR: k to st marker;
10. NR: kfb, k in seed st for 8 rnds (Total: 131 sts).

11. NR: switch back to 6.0 mm CN, k to st marker.
12. NR: k2tog, (yo, k2tog)*; rep to st marker  (Total: 130 sts);
13. NR: k to end;
14. NR: (yo, k2tog); rep to st marker;
15. Repeat Steps 3d-e for 7 times (Total: 14 rnds).

16. NR: switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
17. NR: k42, (k2tog)* rep 11 times, k42, (k2tog)* rep to st marker (Total: 107 sts);
18. NR: k to st marker;
19. NR: kfb, k in seed st for 7 rnds (Total: 108 sts).

20. NR: switch back to 6.0 mm CN, k to st marker.
21. NR: k2tog, (yo, k2tog)*; rep to st marker  (Total: 107 sts);
22. NR: k to end;
23. NR: (yo, k2tog); rep to st marker;
24. Repeat Steps 3d-e for 6 times (Total: 12 rnds). 

4. Shape the bag bottom
1. NR: switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
2. NR: (k2tog)*; rep 21 times,k11, (k2tog)*; rep 22 times,k11 (Total: 75 sts);
3. NR: switch to 6.0 mm CN, k to st marker;
4. NR: k to st marker;
5. NR: switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
6. NR: k in seed st to st marker;
7. NR: (k5,k2tog)* rep 10 times, k5 to st marker (Total: 65 sts);
8. NR: switch to 6.0 mm CN, k to st marker;
9. NR: k to st marker;
10. NR: switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
11. NR: k in seed st to st marker;
12. NR: (k5,k2tog)* rep 6 times, k5 to st marker (Total: 55 sts);
13. NR: switch to 6.0 mm CN, k to st marker;
14. NR: k to st marker;
15. NR: switch to 4.5 mm CN, k to st marker;
16. NR: k in seed st to st marker;
17. NR: (k5,k2tog)* rep 5 times, k5 to st marker (Total: 45 sts);
18. NR: k to st marker;
19. NR: k in seed st to st marker.

 

5. The base of the bag.
1. With 45 sts left: k1, (k2tog)* repeat to st marker (Total: 23 sts);
2. NR: k to st marker;
3. NR: k1, (k2tog)* repeat to st marker (Total: 13 sts);
4. NR: k to st marker.
5. Cut a 15cm tail, pull it through the remaining sts, pull tight and weave in loose ends.

As it turns out, the Rustic Mesh Bag is wide at the top and has a narrow ruffled bottom.