Easy Knit Tote Bag Tutorial & Pattern

This knit tote bag tutorial is fantastic and let you learn how to craft a beautifully knitted tote perfect for summer adventures. It's lightweight, spacious, and stylish. What's more, the instructions are super simple to follow, using tools like a 5.5 mm knitting needle and 100% cotton yarn.

Easy Knit Tote Bag Tutorial

This bag isn't just practical; it's also crafted with a lovely stitch that enhances its durability and appearance. A great DIY project for beginners and experienced knitters alike! Truly, a perfect blend of fun and functionality!

Materials Needed:

• 100% Cotton yarn, 2mm in diameter, 250 meters per skein (approx. 1.5 skeins needed)
• A needle with a wide eye
• Scissors
• Markers
• A supportive knitting needle
• 5.5mm diameter, 60cm circular knitting needles

Pattern Overview:

This knitting pattern creates a light, capacious bag perfect for summer. The pattern starts from the bottom, working up to build the body of the clutch, and finishes with constructing the handles.

Starting the Base:

1. Cast On: Using a 5.5mm needle, cast on 32 stitches using the long-tail method. Leave a tail about 40-50cm for seaming later.
2. Knit Garter Stitch: Knit 4 rows in garter stitch (knitting every row).

Increasing Rows:

From the 5th row, start increasing:

Row 5: Knit 2, make 1 (M1), knit to last 2 stitches, M1, knit 2.

Row 6 and Beyond: Continue in pattern, making increases at the beginning and end of every third row until you have completed 10 rows.

You will make increases 3 times over these rows.

Knitting the Body:

1. After increasing, knit 4 more rows following the pattern, without increases.
2. You should have a total of 14 rows knitted from the start, forming the base of the clutch.
3. Next, start decreasing symmetrically to how you increased, doing this three times every other row, to return to 32 stitches.

Knit 4 Rows: Knit 4 more rows in pattern after decreasing to match the beginning of your work.

Transition to Circle Knitting:

1. Begin circular knitting by picking up and knitting:
   • 22 stitches from each of the side edges of the base.
   • 32 stitches from the opposite side of the cast-on edge.
2. You will have a total of 108 stitches on your circular needle.

Knitting the Body in the Round:

Knit in Garter Stitch in the Round: Alternate knitting a round, then purling a round to create the garter stitch effect in the round.

Continue this pattern until the clutch reaches your desired height.

Creating the Handles:

• Transfer all stitches to a piece of waste yarn.
• Mark and separate 27 stitches for each handle.

First Handle:

• Switch to knitting back and forth in garter stitch.
• Begin each row by casting off 2 stitches until only 8 stitches remain.
• Continue until the handle measures approximately 16cm, then cast off.

Second Handle:

• Repeat the process for the first handle.

Finishing the Clutch:

1. Seam the ends of the handles together securely.
2. Weave in any remaining ends.
3. Block the clutch to size and shape.

Notes:

• This pattern is very adaptable; feel free to modify the size or handle length as desired.
• The garter stitch provides a sturdy and textured finish, suitable for a clutch.
• Remember to steam or block your finished clutch for the best finish.

Enjoy your knitting!