We are all aware of the need to “reduce, re-use and recycle” especially when it comes to plastic bags, yet millions of these are still used every year. However, we knitters have solutions! Using the skill of our hands we can make bags that are not only functional but long-lasting too.

The pattern includes instructions for four sizes of bag, each featuring a sturdy lower section to prevent items falling out and a central mesh panel for flexibility. The handles have a comfy grip and the bags are worked in a crisp cotton yarn which holds its shape well.
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PATTERN INFORMATION:

DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

TECHNIQUES REQUIRED: Knitting, purling, provisional cast-on, increases, decreases, slipped stitches, working in the round,, yarn overs, short rows & working a stripe pattern.

SIZES: Extra Small/XS (Small, Medium, Large)
Height: 30 (33, 35, 40)cm / 12 (13, 14, 16) ins
Width: 34 (35, 36, 38)cm / 13.5 (14, 14.5, 15.5) ins

MATERIALS:
Yarn: Lily Sugar ’n Cream worsted-weight yarn, 100% cotton, 110m/120 yds:70.9gm/2.5 oz ball in:
. Main Colour / MC: 18725 Blueberry x2 (2, 2, 3) balls
. Contrast Colour / CC1: 18001 White x1 (1, 1, 2) balls
. & CC2: 18111 Mod Blue x1 ball (all sizes)

Actual amount used for 1 medium size bag:
. MC: 130gm/4.6 oz, CC1: 45gm/1.5 oz & CC2: 25gm/0.9 oz.
. Total: 200gm/7.0 oz, 310m/338 yds.

Yarn substitution: To use an alternative yarn, please select a Worsted / Light Aran weight cotton yarn with a recommended gauge of about 20 sts:10cm/4 ins using 4.5mm/US #7 needles.

Needles:
. 4.0mm/US #6 circular needle in two lengths: 60cm/24 ins & 80cm/32 ins
. 5.5mm/US #9 circular needle, length 60cm/24 ins
. Spare needle in size 4.0mm/US #6 or smaller

Gauge: 18 sts & 32 rows:10cm/4 ins in Seed Stitch, using 4.0mm/US #6 needles.

Notions:
. Row counter, markers, 2 long stitch holders & tapestry needle for finishing.
. For Provisional Cast-On: Crochet hook & small amount of waste yarn.

Pattern Note
NB: The original BYOB pattern appeared in Knitty Summer 2008, and was then updated to include multiple sizes in the BYOB 2.0 pattern above.

There is also a long-handled version, the BYOB Market Bag which was originally worked alongside a series of Tutorial/Knit-along posts. Please click here to read the first of these, then follow the links at the bottom of each page to read the whole series.

Stitch Pattern:
This pattern is worked using stitches taken from: Reversible Knitting Stitches - A Sourcebook of 250 Double-Sided Stitch Patterns, by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft. For more details, please click here.

Blogpost / Knitting Notes:
1: Bags of bags
2: Yarn overs I have known
3: Market Bag knit-along series
4: Slip those stitches
5: Fibonacci stripes

© Moira Ravenscroft, 2024

Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com