Primrose Hill by Siân Brown
A smart mosaic pattern brings colour to this neat, lined handbag
PATTERN NOTE Slip all sts with yarn on the WS of the work. FRONT AND BACK (both alike) Using 4.5mm needles and yarn A, cast on 69 sts. Knit 1 row. Foundation row (WS): Using yarn A, purl. Rows 1 and 2: With yarn B, K4, *Sl 1, K3; rep from * to last st, K1. Row 3: With yarn A, K4, *K1, Sl 1, K1, Sl 1, K4; rep from * to last st, K1. Row 4: With yarn A, P1, *P4, Sl 1, P1, Sl 1, P1; rep from * to last st, P1. Rows 5 and 6: With yarn B, K2, Sl 1, *K7, Sl 1; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2. Rows 7 and 8: As rows 3 and 4. Rows 9 and 10: As rows 1 and 2. Row 11: With yarn A, K3, Sl 1, *K5, Sl 1, K1, Sl 1; rep from * to last 4 sts, Sl 1, K3. Row 12: With yarn A, P3, Sl 1, P5, *Sl 1, P1, Sl 1, P5; rep from * to last 4 sts, Sl 1, P3. Rows 13 and 14: With yarn B, K6, Sl 1, *K7, Sl 1; rep from * to last 6 sts, K6. Rows 15 and 16: As rows 11 and 12. These 16 rows form the pattern. Repeat until 6 full pattern repeats have been worked (96 rows total). Next row: Using yarn A, work row, dec 7 sts evenly across row. Knit 11 more rows, ending on a WS row. Change to yarn B. Cast off. MAKING UP Block and press pieces, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Pin and sew bottom seam and side seams. Cut a piece of lining fabric the width of the bag plus seam allowances, and twice the depth of the bag plus seam allowances. Cut a piece of wadding the same size as the lining fabric. With the lining fabric on top of the wadding, fold over one of the top edges and sew in place. Put the lining inside the bag and fold over and pin the second top piece to fit just below the top of the knitted bag. It is better to have the lining slightly shorter than the bag, to stop it being loose at the top. Sew in place. Pin side seams, try inside bag and adjust to fit. It is better to have the lining slightly narrower than the bag to stop it being loose, so that the knitted piece is eased to fit the lining piece. Sew the side seams. Pin the lining into bag and hand sew in place. Sew the handles onto the finished bag.