Summer shopping bag

It’s all boho, boho, boho when it comes to accessories this summer – Louise Smith’s bag fits the trend perfectly!

For knitters looking for quick and easy budget knits this month, this handy one-ball knit delivers real temptation. The robust mesh stitch is an excellent way to celebrate the boho trend flooding high street stores and fashion websites. To ‘bag’ yourself a boho beauty, cast on and off in just a weekend, using a single ball of Wendy Aurora DK variegated yarn. Then find yourself a good farmer’s market!

BAG

Note You will work double yarn over loops on Round 1 and work into them twice on Round 2 by knitting into the front and back of the loop.

Cast on 81 sts using a 6mm needle and join into the round, taking care not to twist the sts.

Round 1 *Yo, sk2po, yo; rep from * to end.

Round 2 *K1tbl into yo, K1, K1 into yo; rep from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until work meas approx 30cm, ending on a Round 2.

Note You will now begin working in rows, back and forth across half of the sts. Next row (RS) P2tog, P39, leave remaining sts on scrap yarn or a spare needle. [40 sts]

Work 13 rows in reverse st st, beg with a K row

Cast off.

With WS facing, pick up and knit remaining 40 sts from scrap yarn or spare needle.

Work 13 rows in reverse st st, beg with a P row.

Cast off.

STRAP

Cast on 150 sts. Work approx 5cm in st st. Cast off.

TO MAKE UP

Bag Sew the cast-on edge of the bag closed, taking care to line up each column of stitches. Fold down one of the flaps at the top of the bag to the WS so that the cast-off edge lines up with the first row of reverse st st on the inside of the Bag. Sew into place using whip stitch. Repeat for other flap. Weave in any remaining ends.

Strap Sew cast-on and cast-off edges together using fake grafting. This works similarly to Swiss darning, however, it is used to join two pieces of stocking stitch together. (This is a good tutorial: bit.ly/ fakegrafting). Thread a length of ribbon through the two layers of the Strap to prevent it from stretching. Thread Strap through top of Bag so that one end of the Strap comes out of one side and the other end of the Strap comes out of the other side. Sew ends of ribbon together, taking care not to twist the ribbon. Join row-ends of Strap together using mattress stitch. Weave in any remaining ends.

BIG ON BAGS? CAST ON ANN FRANKLIN’S PEG BAG NEXT MONTH. ISSUE 173 IS ON SALE THURS 17 MAY.

MEET OUR DESIGNER Louise Smith “I’m always popping to the shops for bits and bobs so I made this bag with that in mind. I pictured open stitches and a soft yarn for easy carrying. The straps can be worn as a shoulder bag or a cross-body pouch!”...

Arrange with two straps, like a shopper bag, or with a single cross-body loop.

The bag’s top border is worked in reverse stocking stitch, making it hard-wearing.