Note: This pattern was sent to Yarn of the Month Club members as a PDF supplement to the printed booklet.

Errata: On page 5, Judy’s Magic Cast on is referred to as July’s Magic Cast On

Difficulty: Advanced

Intro:
Subtle textures and simple structures highlight Darn Good Yarn’s variegated colors so nicely, so how could I resist applying a texture to this month’s Japanese Knot Bag? This pattern is designed to make a fair sized bag at just a little bit over 13” squared when laid flat, less when the top straps are looped together, causing the top to gather a bit, and it’s designed with minimal seam stitching (just the top of each strap) with Judy’s Magic Cast-On creating a seamless bottom for your bag, then slightly rounded corners with increases in the first ten rows. The textured pattern repeats every 10 stitches and 20 rows, so you could make smaller bags by removing full repeats, or decreasing the blocks of 7 knit/purl stitches in each repetition.

Finished Measurements / Sizing:
Sizing: One Size, 13.5” wide x 14” tall, plus straps, before blocking
Longer strap is 9-9.5” tall and smaller strap is approximately 5.5-6” tall

Materials:
3 Skeins Darn Good Yarn 2-Ply Sport Weight Silk Yarn
US 4 / 3.50 mm circular knitting needles at least 28-32” or longer
Row Counter, 4-5 Stitch Markers, Yarn Needle

Stitch Gauge:
Unblocked in pattern (see rows 11-30) approximately 23 stitches x 36-38 rows = 4”x4”

Special Stitches/Techniques:
Judy’s Magic Cast-On
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
Kitchener Stitch

Helpful Notes:
The texture pattern repeats every 10 stitches and 20 rows and the bag is worked in the round as a continuous spiral. If you are having trouble with your stitch counts you may wish to use extra stitch markers in some multiple of 10 or once the pattern feels right to you, you can opt to have just one row counter at the start of the rows and one stitch marker at the end of the first side of the bag.

I completed 61.5 rows with my first skein, and almost 116 complete rows with my second skein, then had 24g remaining of my third skein after adding the handles.. My bag’s width measures approximately 13.5”/35cm and height at 61.5 rows was approximately 6.5”/18.5cm, a little over 13.25” height with 2 balls and close to 14” at 120 rows, unblocked.