Let's Go To The Market Bag

"Let's Go To The Market" Bag

By Lindsey Melvin

There is a fantastic Farmer's Market in my town that's open every Friday morning from the start of summer through the end of October.  The vendors supply us with fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, artisan meats, eggs and even local wine!  I go practically every week- when I can- and stock up on as much as I can carry!  What better way to support this local commerce than with a "green" carry-all?  This fabulous market bag comes in two convenient sizes.  The larger bag is perfect for carrying all your Farmer's Market produce, while the smaller is just right for taking your knitting on the go.  The 8-Point Star on the bottom of the bag provides for a sturdy but visually interesting base, while the lace-work that makes up the middle will grow and stretch as you fill it.  Make the strap as long or as short as you prefer.  Make your bag in a single color, or use up all the leftover scrap yarn you have hanging about.  The possibilities are endless- just have fun!

Large or Small? It's up to you!
Why not both?

Yarn & Measurements:
-Large Bag:  For the large bag, you'll need 2 balls of worsted weight cotton (about 150 yards each), one each in two coordinating colors.  The large bag measures about 14 inches deep by 30 inches around with room to stretch.  The strap is 24 inches long.  
-Small Bag: For the small bag, you'll need one ball of worsted weight cotton (about 150 yards) plus a small amount of yardage for contrasting color band.  The small bag measures about 9.5 inches deep by 24 inches around with room to stretch.  The strap is 16 inches long.

Tools Needed: 

-US 7 double points and circular needle (24 inches) and size 9 circular needle (24 inch)

-Stitch marker to denote start of round

-Small stitch holder

-Large eyed darning needle for sewing in ends.

LARGE MARKET BAG

Large "Let's Go To The Market" Bag

Using size 7 dpns and main color, co 8 and join in the round.  Change to size 7 circulars when there are too many stitches to fit comfortably on the dpns.  

Place a marker at the start of the round.

8-Point Star Bottom:
Row 1: *yo, K1* (16)
Row2 and all even rows: knit
Row 3: *yo, K2* (24)
Row 5: *yo, k3* (32)
Row 7: *yo, k4* (40)
Row 9: *yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2* (48)
Row 11: *yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1* (56)
Row 13: *yo, k5, yo, k2tog* (64)
Row 15: *yo, k8* (72)
Row 17: *yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k6* (80)
Row 19: *yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k5* (88)
Row 21: *yo, k5, yo, k2tog, k4* (96)
Row 23: *yo, k7, yo, k2tog, k3* (104)
Row 25: *yo, k9, yo, k2tog, k2* (112)
Row 27: *yo, k11, yo, k2tog, k1* (120)
Row 29: *yo, k13, yo, k2tog* (128)
After this round, move the marker denoting the start of the round back to before the last yo (back two stitches). This will be the new start of the round.
Row 30: knit around
Row 31: *p3tog, p13* (112)
Row 32: knit around
Row 33: purl around
Row 34: knit around

Large 8-Point Star bottom

Lace Panel:

Switch to size US9 circular and contrasting color (if using two colors).
Round 1: *k2tog, yo*
Round 2: knit
Repeat these two rounds until the lace panel measures 8 inches (or desired length).  

Lace Panel

Switch to size 7 circular needles and main color.  Knit in garter stitch as follows:

Purl a round.

Knit a round.

Purl a round decreasing 12 stitches evenly throughout round, using a p2tog decrease (100).

Knit a round.

Purl a round.

Knit a round.

Purl a round.  

Knit a round.

Cast off round:

Knit in seed stitch over the first 8 stitches (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1).  These stitches will form the strap for the bag.  

Bind off the next 42 stitches purlwise.  

Knit in seed stitch over the next 8 stitches (as above) and slip to a stitch holder.

Bind off the next 42 stitches purlwise.  

Close up of the strap and border band

Continue to knit the 8 live stitches (leave the 8 on the stitch holder alone) in seed stitch until the strap measures 24 inches long (or desired length) as follows:

Row 1: P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K

Row 2: K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P

Seed stitch strap 

Using a 3-needle bind-off, bind-off the strap stitches with the stitches on the stitch holder.  Weave in all ends. 

SMALL MARKET BAG:

Small "Let's Go To The Market" Bag

The small bag mimics the construction of the larger bag.  Start knitting the 8-Point Star base as for the larger bag Rows 1 through 16.

Row 17: *kfb, k8* (80)
row 18: knit
row 19: purl
row 20: knit
row 21: purl
row 22: knit

Small 8-Point Star Bottom

Switch to size US9 circular needle
round 1: *k2tog, yo*
round 2: knit

Repeat these two rounds until the lace panel measures 6 inches (or desired length).

Switch to size 7 circular needles and contrasting color (if using) and knit in garter stitch as follows:

Knit a round.

Purl a round.

Knit a round decreasing 10 stitches evenly throughout the round using k2tog decrease (70 sts).

Purl a round.

Cast off round:

Knit in seed stitch over the first 5 stitches (K, P, K, P, K).  These 5 stitches will form the strap for the bag. 

Bind off the next 30 stitches knitwise.

Knit in seed stitch over the next 5 stitches (as above) and slip to a stitch holder.

Bind off the next 30 stitches knitwise.

Close-up of the strap and border band

Continue to knit the 5 stitches in seed stitch until the strap measure 16 inches (or desired length): K, P, K, P, K

Using a 3-needle bind-off, bind-off the strap stitches with the stitches on the stitch holder.  Weave in all ends. 

Carry your projects in style!

**A note about the strap**
  Since these are working bags, the strap will have a tendency to stretch with use.  You can combat this in a couple of different ways.  First, you can knit your strap a couple inches shorter than you prefer.  With a couple of uses the strap will stretch out to your desired length.  You can also line your straps with some fabric or canvas straps, by measuring and then sewing in the strap to the underside of your knit strap.  Experiment and have some fun!

Happy knitting, and happy Labor Day weekend!  See you in a week for September's Swatches!
-Lindsey