Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote by Meema Spadola

Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote

Knitting
September 2004
Aran (8 wpi) ?
10 stitches = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch (St st) with 2 strands of yarn held together
US 15 - 10.0 mm
950 yards (869 m)
10 inches tall at sides and 27 inches around base of bag, after felting
low vision format available
English

Pattern description from Stitch ‘n Bitch: “I was first inspired to make a felted bag when my brother returned from Morocco with a pound of yarn. The fibers were too rough for a garment, so I decided to try to make a bag. The result was way too floppy and not durable enough for daily use. Felting the bag--just throwing it in a hot washing load--completely changed the nature of the fabric, creating a sturdy, less homemade look. I started playing around with different kinds of yarn, colors, shapes and sizes. This latest pattern is the easiest yet because the bag itself requires no sewing or assembly (except for the cute little pouch). the pouch was inspired by my habit of misplacing my keys and wallet. You knit the bottom of this bag first, then pick up stitches and knit in the round ‘up’ to the top of the bad - no sewing in needed at the end! Attach the small pouch to the inside of the bad with I-cord.”

Size: 10 inches tall at sides and 27 inches around base of bag, after felting

Skills: Cast on, knit, purl, knit in the round, pick up stitches, change color, I-cord, single cast-on, bind off

Materials:

  • Brown Sheep Company Lamb’s Pride Worsted (85% wool/15% mohair; 4oz/190yds)
  • MC: 3 skeins #110 Orange You Glad
  • CC: 2 skeins #M38 Lotus Pink
  • US 15 (10mm) 24” circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
  • 4 stitch markers
  • 2 large metal snaps

Note from Stitch ‘n Bitch: “Don’t be dismayed if your bag looks floppy with loose stitches while knitting. it will shrink anywhere from 15 to 25 percent when felted and will look completely different. The instructions here can be changed to create new versions and new sizes. Use your imagination and experiment.”

Pattern on pages 172-173.

Low Vision: This book is available from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled in a digital audio format.