Felted Tote with Side Pockets PATTERN Description:

The only skills you need to create this beautiful bag are the ability to knit, purl and sew a few simple seams together. I looked and looked for a really good felted tote pattern that uses novelty fur along the top. Every one called for the fur to be knitted into the body of the bag which made the fur look like really bad hair plugs! So, I decided to create my own.

The fur along the top of my tote is attached to the bag with one round of knitting…after that it hangs loosely like a lush boa. The pockets are ideal for: baby bottles, water bottles, cell phones, sunglasses and car keys!!! If I am in a rush, I leave my bag at home because I get complimented and questioned about these totes EVERY single time a carry one out in public!!! You will too!!

This bag will also maintain it shape at the rim because you will add a simple elastic band inside the tote’s top. This also keeps your goodies from falling out every time you put your tote down. Because it is constructed of 3 pieces sewn together it has a more structured and elegant look than the others out there.

As for as color combinations go, the only limit is your imagination.
To get the green checked look, collect a bunch of different colors (I used 8) and use the most basic intarsia technique. Each square is 10 sts across and 20 rows high (almost exactly the size of a credit card before felting).

I will soon have one of my original felting patterns featured in a nationally distributed knitting and crochet handbag book which will be available in the famous bookstores we all know and love!

The pattern also has some fun tips for alternative tote straps.