Waves Tote Bag

Knitting a purse can be fun and practical. This beautiful Waves Tote Bag is just what you need this summer. Whether you use it to keep your coupons organized during a shopping trip, or if you just need a colorful new bag for spring, you'll love this free pattern.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size9 or 5.5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Finished Measurements: 16” x 14” x 3”.

MATERIALS:

RED HEART® “Eco-Cotton™ Blend”: 4 balls each 1340 Almond A, and 1870 Denim B.
Circular Knitting Needle: 5.5mm [US 9] 36”.
4 stitch markers (make 1 a different color from others)
yarn needle.

GAUGE: 14 sts = 4”; 18 rows = 4” in pattern with 2 strands held together. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Notes:
1. Bag is made with 2 strands of yarn held together throughout.
2. On Rounds 5 and 9, wrap yarn around the needle the number of times given; for example, for yarn over 3 (yo3), wrap yarn 3 times. These wraps are all dropped on next round.

BAG INSTRUCTIONS
Base
With two strands A, cast on 56 sts.
Work 24 rows in Garter st (k every row). Bind off. Weave in ends.

Body
Round 1: With two strands B, pick up and k56 sts along cast on edge, place marker, pick up and k9 sts across nearest short edge, place marker, pick up and k56 sts along bound off edge, place marker, pick up and k9 sts across last short edge, place marker of different color to mark beginning of round–130 sts.
Round 2: Purl around.
Round 3: Knit around.
Round 4: Purl around.
Round 5: * K6, [yo2, k1, yo3, k1, yo4, k1, yo3, k1, yo2, k6] 5 times, slip marker [k1, wrapping yarn twice around needle] 9 times, slip marker; repeat from * once more.
Round 6: Purl, dropping all yo’s and double wraps from needle.
Rounds 7 and 8: Repeat Rounds 3 and 4. Round 9: * K1, [yo2, k1, yo3, k1, yo4, k1, yo3, k1, yo2, k6] 5 times, yo2, k1, yo3, k1, yo4, k1, yo3, k1, yo2, k1, slip marker, [k1, wrapping yarn twice around needle] 9 times, slip marker; repeat from * once more.
Round 10: Repeat Round 6.
Round 11: Knit around.
Round 12: Purl around. Cut B, join A.
Rounds 13 - 20: Repeat Rounds 5 -12. Cut A, join B.
Rounds 21 - 52: [Repeat Rounds 5 -12] 4 times, changing color at end of each repeat.

Note: Markers can be removed at this point.

Dec Round: With B, * [k6, k2tog] 7 times, k9; repeat from * once more–116 sts.
Round 2: Purl around.
Round 3: Knit around.
Rounds 4 - 9: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3.
Bind off purlwise. Weave in loose ends

.
HANDLES (make 2)
With 2 strands A, cast on 9 sts.
Work 80 rows in Garter st. Bind off.

FINISHING
Referring to photo, attach one end of handle to second yo pattern in from edge on top pattern repeat and sew securely. Sew other end. Repeat for second end of handle.

For more free knitting patterns, check out Red Heart's company profile.

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Tricia108

Feb 26, 2018

I really like the pattern but I agree with the comments below. It could have been worded better. Still it is worth a try. With markets eliminating plastic bags, strong bags are needed just to pick up a few things. I like the colors they used but you can use any color combination. I like the fact that it is knitted in the round. It will work up quickly. Thanks for the pattern.

achumley0003 31706 34

Oct 14, 2016

I really like the bag, but it does seem a bit complicated and I believe it is due to the wording. It has tons of yarn overs, but then says wrap twice, k1. It seems that this is a double yo, but if so, why is it worded differently? I may still try to make this, though. Hopefully, I will figure it out.

Lisa

Nov 28, 2017

In the notes section of the instructions to make the bag they actually explain the multiple yo's. As far as the knit 1 wrapping yarn twice around the needle when doing the knit stitch, it's explained differently because it is a different stitch from a yo. Yo's are done in addition to stitches, on the knit 1 wrapping yarn twice around the needle this is done while you are only knitting 1 stitch.

rsdb

Mar 30, 2016

This tote bag is sure to come in handy for a day at the beach - it looks roomy to hold all the summer essentials. The pattern looks a bit complicated though, with the two strands of yarn held together and dropping off stitches to make the waves. Has anyone found the pattern hard to follow?

Orit

Apr 19, 2013

For the readers who wanted to knit the bag out of plastic bags, this is the link to the pattern: http://www.craftbits.com/project/tote-knitted-plastic-grocery-bags

mariaguarin 314473 1

Apr 18, 2013

Like other readers, I thoght you were recycling plastic bags.

julieelf

Jun 29, 2012

Who said it did? Just curious- I find no mention of recycled grocery bags...