Felted Knit Ombre Bag

One can never have enough bags! This is a great everyday bag, or make it your favorite knitting bag!

SIZE: One Size
18 in. wide x 14 in. tall (46 x 35.5 cm), after felting and not including handles

MATERIALS
• 820-111 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Midnight Blue 4 Balls (A)
• 820-178 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Dark Teal 3 Balls (B)
• 820-123 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Sage 3 Balls (C)
• 820-132 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Lemongrass 2 Balls (D)
• Size 11 [8 mm] 29-inch [75 cm] Circular Needles
• Stitch Markers
• Large-Eye Blunt Needles
• Additional Materials
3 yds (2.75 m) grosgrain ribbon, 5/8 in. (1.5 cm) wide
Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE:
11 sts + 15 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st worked in the round (k every round) with 2 strands held together, before felting. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the
pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

COLOR SEQUENCE
4 in. (10 cm) with 2 strands of A held together,
2 in. (5 cm) with 1 strand each of A and B held together,
4 in. (10 cm) with 2 strands of B held together,
2 in. (5 cm) with 1 strand each of B and C held together,
4 in. (10 cm) with 2 strands of C held together,
2 in. (5 cm) with 1 strand each of C and D held together,
4 in. (10 cm) with 2 strands of D held together.

Base
With 2 strands of A held together, cast on 16 sts.
Work back and forth on circular needle, as if working on straight needles, in Garter st (k every row) until piece measures 21 in. (53.5 cm). Do not bind off.

Body
K16, pick up and k58 sts evenly spaced along adjoining side of base, pick up and k16 sts evenly spaced along short edge of base, pick up and k58 sts evenly spaced along remaining long side of base - 148 sts.
Begin working in the round and following Color Sequence.
Next Rnd: K1, place first marker, k14, place 2nd marker, k60, place 3rd marker, k14, place 4th marker, k59, place 5th marker (beg of rnd marker).
Next 3 Rnds: Knit.
Next Rnd: Knit, increase 1 st before markers 1, 2, 3 and 4 -152 sts.
Continuing in Color Sequence, rep last 4 rnds 7 more times - 180 sts.
Leave beg of rnd marker, remove all other markers. Continue in Color Sequence on 180 sts until all 22 in. (59 cm) of sequence have been completed. Bind off.

HANDLES (make 2)
With 2 strands of A held together, cast on 135 sts.
Rows 1-4: Knit.
Bind off.

FINISHING
Sew first and last 1 in. (2.5 cm) of Handles to either side of Bag, along the last row of the B/C color section.
Weave in ends.

Felting
Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. To felt additionally, dry by machine on a regular setting until almost dry. Remove from dryer and pull into shape.
Flatten Bag, WS out, on a flat surface. Cut 8 lengths of ribbon each 3 1/2 in. (9 cm). Sew a ribbon length about 3 in. (7.5 cm) below top edge and centered on WS of front for drawstring loop. In same way, sew a
length centered on back of Bag. Sew 3 lengths at each side of Bag, with one length centered on fold at side and two more, spaced 3 1/2 in. (9 cm) away.
Weave remaining ribbon through ribbon loops on inside of Bag, adjust as desired and knot ends.