What You Do On A REALLY HOT Day!

You knit with wool...I stated this tote and just got too hot and sweaty working on it, so...I am passing along my pattern, adapted from another. It really is just too hot in this house...86!!!!!





Double Bottom Felted Tote
Yarn: Cascade 220 or Patons (5 Skeins)
Needle: Size 11, 24” circular
Spare circular in Size 9 (for 3 needle bind off)
Notions: Markers, 4 stitch holders, tapestry needle
BOTTOM
With #11 circular needle, loosely cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join. Being careful not to twist sts.
Rnd: 1 Purl.
Rnd:2 K1, *M1, k1 and mark this st with a split marker. M1, k36, M1, k1 and mark this st, M!,
*k2; repeat from *to* once, end k1 - 88 sts.
Rnd:3 Purl.
Rnd:4 Knit to first marked st, M1, k1, M1, *knit to next marked st, M1, k1, M1; repeat from
* 2 more times, knit to end of rnd - 96 sts.
Repeat Rnds 3 and 4 until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 Rnd.
BODY
Knit even in St st (knit every rnd) for 64 rnds. Adjust if necessary the number of rounds knitted to change
The depth of the bag. Knit 6 rounds in Garter st (knit one round, purl one round).
TOP
BO 10 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 stitches on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 sts on
Holder, BO 4 sts, place next 12 stitches on holder, BO 4 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO last 10 sts to end.
HANDLES AND TAB CLOSURE
With #11 Double Points or Circular needle slip first 8 stitches from holder to needle. Knit every row
(Garter Stitch) for 3 ridges or 6 rows. Start I-Cord handle strap on these 8 sts for 90 rows. Knit 3 ridges
Or 6 rows. Using kitchener stitch to attach I-Cord to stitches on holder same side as just worked. Work
Opposite side to match. Slip center 12 sts onto #11 needle. Knit every row (Garter Stitch) for 21 rows.
Slip 4 sts to holder, BO 4 center sts. Make I-Cord closure with 4 stitches approx. 4” long. Attach to 4
Stitches on holder using kitchener stitch.
SECOND BOTTOM PIECE
With circular needle, cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work same
As the first bottom until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 rnd. With spare smaller circular needle, pick up the top
Loops of the last purl round of the tote bottom. Place the second piece on top of the tote bottom. Holding
Both needles in your left hand, and with the bottom of the bag facing, work a 3-needle bind off.
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends on WS. Felt Piece. My technique: first wash: fill sink with approx. 3” deep of very
Hot water and ¼ soap. With rubber gloves to protect your hands agitate piece for about 5 minutes. Do not
Rinse, transfer tote to washer. Place in with tote a pair of old jeans. I use a front loader. There will be
Enough soap from the first washing to be sufficient. Turn machine to the Wool and Silk cycle setting (on my machine it runs for 30 minutes). After that cycle is complete check the shrinkage and felting results.
I usually give it another repeat but on the Rinse and Spin cycle (approx. 17 minutes). After that is
Complete check to see if the desired amount of felting and shrinking has occurred. I shape the tote
By stuffing it with plastic garment bags. Leave to dry.
Sew on a big button and enjoy!!!
Adapted from Felted Knits by Beverly Galeskas