Sweet Curacao Felted Bag

Deep in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela, lies an island the natives call Dushi Korsou, Sweet Curacao Fast and easy to knit, this felted bag makes a great carry all for island hopping or city bopping. Dimensions before felting: 18 high x 16 long x 6 deep Approximate dimensions after felting: 12 high x 14long x 4 deep Materials: Valley Yarns Berkshire 2 skeins color A 1 skeins each colors B, C, D, E, and F Blue Lagoon colorway 27 Royal 28 Navy 31 Dark Teal 34 Hunter 32 Lime 29 Turquoise Tequila Sunrise colorway 21 Red Purple 19 Fuschia 14 Rose 12 Orange 11 Pumpkin 10 Gold

5 rows 2 strands C 5 rows - 1 strand each of C and D 5 rows 2 strands D 5 rows - 1 strand each D and E 5 rows - 2 strands E 5 rows - 1 strand each E and F 5 rows 2 strands F Repeat on opposite side of 16 panel for back. These side panels should measure 18 in length. If they do not, add a few more rows with turquoise to equal 18. Bind off loosely. Finishing: With mattress stitch and one strand of color A, stitch sides of bags together. I-cord handles: Make two. With 2 strands of yarn make 4-stitch I cord 40 long, alternating colors as for bag sides, making each colored section about 6-8 inches long. The Fun Part: Run in all yarn ends. Place bag and handles in washing machine, and add regular laundry detergent and some old blue jeans or towels. Using hottest water possible, allow washing machine to complete a full wash and rinse cycle. The heat and agitation of the washing machine will turn your bag into a tightly felted usable carry all. Remove bag and shape; allow bag and I-cord to dry for two days before proceeding. To attach handles, make holes using sharp scissor to cut through one stitch at locations shown in schematic. Make hole small, and force I-cord through, expanding hole with scissor only if necessary. Each I-cord passes through front and side of bag. Run I-cord through holes as shown, and knot tightly. If desired, brush bag lightly to raise nap using stiff wire brush. (a pets slicker type brush is perfect). Melissa Morgan-Oakes For Valley Yarns

A B C D E F

1 set size 15 straight needles or size needed to obtain gauge 2 size 15 double pointed needles for I cord Gauge: 9 sts x 14 rows = 4 before felting. Note: Felting is an inexact science. Dimensions after felting may vary slightly from stated dimensions Bag is worked in two strands of yarn throughout, unless otherwise specified. With size 15 needles and two strands of color A held together, loosely cast on 12 stitches. Work in st st until piece measures 18 in length, ending with a purl row. With right side facing, purl one row for turning row. Continue in st st until 34 in length, end having worked a purl row, purl next row for turning. Now work in St st until piece measures 52 long. Bind off loosely. This strip of three panels divided by purl turning rows represents the sides (18) and bottom (16) of your bag. With right side facing, pick up and knit 36 sts evenly across center 16. This will be the front of your bag. Work in colored stripes as below,: 5 rows 2 strand of A 5 rows - 1 strand each of A and B 5 rows 2 strands B 5 rows 1 strand each of B and C

Melissa Morgan-Oakes 2006

Dimensions before assembly and felting

18

16

18

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(*) indicates placement of holes for handles on finished bag.

Melissa Morgan-Oakes 2006