Felted Tote...A Great First Felting Project

Autumn is a great time for felting...if you have never felted anything before this is a great first project!

SIZE: One Size
10 in. x 7½ in. x 2½ in. [25.5 x 19 x 6.5 cm] after felting

MATERIALS
• 820-110 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Cadet Blue
1 Skeins (A)
• 820-133 Lion Brand Lion Wool: Pumpkin
1 Skeins (B)
• Double-Pointed Needles - Size 9
• Stitch Markers
• Large-Eye Blunt Needles
• Additional Materials
1. Size 9 [5.5 mm] 24 in. [60 cm] circular needle
2. Size 10.5 [6.5 mm] double-pointed needles (set of 5)
3. One 1 in. [25 mm] toggle button
4. Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE:
14 sts + 20 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in St st (knit every round) on circular needle. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

STITCH EXPLANATION:
sk2p Slip 1 as if to knit, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over - 2 sts decreased

TOTE
With circular needle and B, cast on 36 sts.
Row 1 Working back and forth on circular needle, slip 1, k to end of row.
Repeat Row 1 for 34 more times. At end of last row, do not turn work.
Rnd 1 Pick up and k 18 sts along left edge of work, 36 sts along cast-on edge, and 18 sts along right edge – 108 sts.
Join, being careful not to twist sts. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Rnd 2 Purl.
Rnd 3 Knit.
Repeat last 2 rounds 3 times more.
Rnd 10 Purl.
Change to A and work in St st (k every rnd) until all A has been used. Change to B.
Rnd 1 Knit.
Rnd 2 [P 7, p2tog] 12 times – 96 sts.
Rnd 3 Knit.
Rnd 4 Purl.
Repeat last 2 rnds once. Bind off all sts. Weave in ends.
Straps – Make 2
With 2 strands of B held tog and larger dpn, make a slip knot and place on needle.
Row 1 (RS) [K 1, yo, k 1] in same st (increase made) – 3 sts.
Row 2 (and all even Rows 4-12) Knit.
Row 3 K 1, [k 1, yo, k 1] in same st, k 1 – 5 sts.
Row 5 K 2, [k 1, yo, k 1] in same st, k 2 – 7 sts.
Row 7 K 3, [k 1, yo, k 1] in same st, k 3 – 9 sts.
Row 9 K 3, sk2p, k3 – 7 sts.
Row 11 K 2, sk2p, k2 – 5 sts.
Row 13 Knit.
Row 14 Purl.
Row 15 K2tog, k 3 – 4 sts.
Next Row (Cord) *Slide sts to other end of dpn and knit them, pulling yarn tightly across the back of the work. (Do not turn work.) Repeat from * until cord measures 30 in. [76 cm] from beg.
Next Row (RS) K 1, inc in next st, k 2 – 5 sts.
Next Row (and all WS rows) Knit.
Work next 4 RS rows as for Rows 5, 7, 9, and 11 above.
Next RS Row K 1, sk2p, k 1 – 3 sts.
Next RS Row Sk2p, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Loop
With 1 strand of B and smaller dpn, cast on 4 sts. Work in cord as for strap until piece measures 9 in. [23 cm] from beg. Bind off. Weave in ends.

FELTING
Place Tote, Straps, and Loop in mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase. If pillowcase is used, pin closed. 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.
For more about felting, click here.

FINISHING
With sewing needle and thread, sew ends of loop together. Sew loop to inside edge of Tote. Pin straps into place on outside of Tote, sew around tabs. Sew on button opposite loop.