A hand-knit handbag, made with love not logos, can really carry the day, and our beautifully shaped, minimally wrought Simple Knit Tote does just that!
The nubbly texture of our cotton-linen Lantern (here in White Smoke, for a glorious modern-cloud effect) lends a natural raw beauty, and in simple linen stitch, the bag has a lovely woven look and a dense, sturdy feel.
Construction is in keeping with the easy aesthetic: You knit the bottom flat, pick up around the edges and knit the body of the bag in the round, then knit each side of the strap and join in the middle with a 3-needle bind off.
Knit it for you or your favorite bag-user… This Simple Knit Tote, with its perfect form, detail without fuss, and slouchy-cool structure, is our kind of everyday hero!
Designed for Purl Soho by Jake Canton.
Materials
- 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Lantern, 61% cotton and 39% linen. Each skein is 164 yards; approximately 386 yards required. We used White Smoke.
- US 8, 24- or 32- inch circular needles
- A spare US 8 circular or double pointed needle
- A few yards of sport or light worsted scrap yarn
- A stitch marker
- A stitch holder (optional)
Gauge
27 stitches and 50 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
- Finished Circumference: 25 inches
- Finished Height: 11 inches
- Base of Bag: 3½ inches wide x 9 inches long
- Strap Width: 3½ inches
- Strap Length: 22 inches
Notes
Construction
You will make this bag by first knitting the Base flat, then picking up around the Base and knitting the Body of the bag in the round.
Slip Stitches
Slip all slip stitches purlwise unless indicated otherwise in pattern.
Provisional Cast On
For assistance, including how to put live stitches back onto needles, please visit our Provisional Cast-On: A Two-Step Method Tutorial.
Pattern
Base
Using a Provisional Cast-on (see Notes), cast on 24 stitches.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in front (wyif), *p1, slip 1 (see Notes) with yarn in back (wyib), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyif, *k1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 fifty nine more times, ending with Row 2. [120 total rows, measuring approximately 9 inches from cast-on edge]
Body
Pick Up + Knit
With right side facing you, turn piece 90 degrees clockwise and with working yarn, pick up and knit 61 stitches evenly along left selvage. [85 stitches]
With right side facing you and cast-on edge at top, slip 24 cast-on stitches onto left needle (see Notes), starting with top left corner stitch. With working yarn and right needle, knit 24 cast-on stitches. [109 stitches]
With right side still facing you, turn work 90 degrees clockwise and pick up and knit 60 stitches along remaining selvage. [169 total stitches]
Continue Even
With right side facing you, place marker and join for working in the round.
Round 1: *K1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Round 2: *Slip 1 wyif, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 wyif.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 11 inches from picked-up edge, ending with Round 2.
Bind-Off Round: [K1, slip 1 wyif] 12 times, bind off 61 stitches knitwise, [slip 1 wyif, k1] 11 times, slip 1 wyif, place previous 24 stitches on stitch holder or scrap yarn, bind off to end of round. [25 stitches]
Strap
Work First Side
NOTE: As you work Row 1, pass final bind off stitch over first slip stitch. [24 stitches]
**Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyif, *k1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise wyif, *p1, slip 1 wyib, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Strap measures 11 inches from Bind-Off Round, ending with Row 2.***
Slip stitches onto spare needle and cut yarn.
Work Second Side
With right side facing you, place 24 on-hold stitches onto left needle. Repeat from ** to *** to work second side of Strap.
Keep stitches on needle and do not cut yarn,
Connect Ends
With right sides of Strap pieces untwisted and facing each other and holding needles parallel, use working yarn to work a 3-Needle Bind Off over Strap stitches.
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block as desired.
PRINT
Please change my e-mail address to the one listed above. Thank you.
Hello Karen,
Thank you for reaching out! To change your e-mail address you can send a quick e-mail to Customerservice@purlsoho.com and they will be able to take care of it for you.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m wondering about stretching. This is an issue for all of the crochet bags I’ve made.
Hello Martha,
Thank you for reaching out! With any cotton yarn you will get a bit of stretching, but the linen will help it to keep its structure. The slipped stitches within the stitch pattern create a dense fabric that will also help to keep its structure.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Thank you
Hi! How would you adapt this stitch for an elementary wrap? I love the texture and look of it!
Hello Lily,
Thanks for reaching out! This bag is knit up using the Linen Stitch. We actually have a wrap that is knit up in Linen Stitch called Peppered Stripes Wrap.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
What level of difficulty would you call this pattern? I’m new at knitting. Thanks.
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out! I would say this is an intermediate project. If you are curious about this stitch you can always knit up a little swatch and see if its for you! And of course, we are always here to help if you need help along the way!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
A true beauty! What a great looking addition to our bag wardrobe! Can0t wait to knit these bags for gifts and me! Thank you again purlsoho!
Julie
Love love love it!
Simple but elegant.
Can’t wait to make it but am only halfway through a baby blanket and the baby’s already arrived….
Is there a video explaining this pattern
Hello Lesllaney,
Thank you for reaching out! We do not have a tutorial for this stitch. Is there a specific question that we can help answer?
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I have 3 skeins of your Linen Quill can i use that instead of
Lantern suggested here
Hello Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately Linen Quill is much thinner than Lantern so it would not work for this project.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
This is so lovely! I really want to make it in either the shibori blue or bluegrass blue. Do you plan to get those back in stock or should I pick something you still have stocked? I’d you do plan to stick the blues again, do you have photos of searches of those of those colors I can see? Thank you! Can’t wait!!
Hi Glory,
Thanks for reaching out! We will certainly be getting more Lantern in all colors back in stock! In fact, our mill is currently making it. While we do not have a firm ETA, we are hoping that it will arrive soon. You can sign up to be notified when we get it back in stock. To do so, go to the product page, select the color that you are interested in and enter your email address. When that yarn and color arrives, we will email you right away! Although we don’t have any projects out of Shibori Blue, our Cap Sleeve Pullover sample is made out of Bluegrass Blue if you would lke to see a bigger project in that color.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Very helpful! Thank you!!
Hi – I started this project using Lantern in Platinum Gray (beautiful yarn!), but I can’t see any way that someone could get to the gauge of 27 stitches = 4″ with size US 8 knitting needles, even if they knit EXTREMELY tightly. I had to go to size 2 needles to get to 27″ stitches = 4″ – and I don’t knit tightly – I usually have pretty normal tension and am close to gauge for other patterns from Purl Soho and others. This pattern gauge seems so far off that I am sending a comment for the first time because I feel like I misread or missed something. Appreciate your help.
Hi Marsha,
Thanks for writing in! I am sorry to hear this! This stitch pattern is quite dense and we were able to get gauge on a US 8 in stitch pattern as the slipped stitches tend to pull in. That said, I like to think of needle size as a recommendation. If you are a tighter knitter you might need to up needle sizes and if you are a looser knitter you may need to go down. With cotton and other plant based fibers, gauge can be a bit more of a challenge. I myself tend to need to go down a needle size or so when working with cotton as it does not have the same give as wool. All of that said, all that really matters is that you do get gauge in the stitch pattern. The needle size will depend more on you than the pattern and whatever needle size gives you gauge is what you should use!
I do hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you Cassy – I’ll work with the size 2 needles – was just surprised at how much smaller I had to go to get to gauge vs. the pattern’s recommended needle size. In my time knitting, this is the first time I’ve had to go down so many sizes in needles – usually I only have to adjust up or down a bit, if I even need to adjust. 🙂
I, too, am having the same issue with gauge. I am using the yarn in the photo and am down to a size 4 needle and still finding it too large. I’ll try a 2 now that i’ve read your comment. I usually knit right on gauge so this is a surprise.
Hello Kathy,
Thank you for reaching out! Because of its unique texture, Lantern often results in a different gauge.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
-Marilla
I’m also having a gauge issue. But only in the row count. I’m just a touch over 3 1/2 inches in base width but will be closer to 12 inches in base length using size 8 needles. Any issue with just letting it stitch out to this size. The fabric appears dense enough. Thanks for your guidance.
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest blocking what you have done to see how it affects the size and gauge – it sounds to me like you are very close to the correct stitch to row ratio since it will block out a bit wider and shorter, but you will then have to move down a needle size for the gauge to be correct. If you are happy with the fabric as is, you can continue and your bag will turn out wider than ours; however, you may want to have an extra skein of yarn on hand as it will take more yardage to knit the bag at a looser gauge. If you don’t end up needing it, any unwound yarn can be returned for store credit.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thanks Juliana! I think I will start again with another skein of yarn and a smaller needle to be sure. Is the gauge stated in the instructions measured as knitted or after blocking? This always confused me!
Hi Carol,
In general, you should assume that the gauge given in a pattern is the post-blocking gauge unless otherwise specified. This is especially true for garments – since all of the stitch counts are based on the gauge, if you are ever going to block or wash the finished sweater, you should block or wash your gauge in the same way to avoid any surprise size changes after the first wash. Some patterns will give both a blocked and unblocked gauge which is helpful, but otherwise, it’s a good practice to block your gauge swatch before measuring!
Best,
Julianna
I was playing with a swatch to see how I would like to knit the tote (its so beautiful). I think the problem is that when you look under heading of Pattern you see directions for the base of purse. Only two rows make up pattern. But then the pattern directions are a tad different for the body of the tote. Knitting the body on circular needles doesn’t require a purl stitch, like the base of purse does. So if you are knitting a swatch with instructions for the body of purse using straight needles, not circular needles knitting in the round, you’re getting a huge gauge compared to the pattern for knitting swatch for base of purse. If you were to knit a swatch in the round with circular needles you’ll get the correct gauge. Or if you knit the directions of the base of purse with straight needles you’ll get correct gauge. I was shocked when I knitted the instructions for body of purse with straight needles; it was very different than the base of purse swatch.
Pam
On that note, I’m wondering if the gauge should be same for knitting a swatch in the round as knitting a gauge of the strap pattern (casting on 24 stitches to see how wide it is)?
Hi Pamela,
Great question! For some people , knitting flat and knitting in the round do result in different gauges, so if you think that might be the case for you, it would be a good idea to work a swatch in both methods; however, in the case of this bag, I would probably recommend just continuing on until you get to the strap and use the strap itself as your gauge swatch. Since the strap is only 25 stitches, if you find after the first inch or two it is turning out the wrong width, it will be easy enough to unravel and work the strap on a different size needle.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you, Julianna.
I have a feeling knitting in the round will make a smaller swatch than knitting flat. It seems purling adds bulk. I’m just guessing though as this is all pretty new to me, still. After Christmas projects, I want to make this. Just the coolest pattern!
Pamela
I am just starting this. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong in my slip stitch knitwise. To get untwisted stitches on the front, every time I go the next direction I have to knit or purl through the back of the stitch because it’s twisted. Is the pattern meant to have twisted stitches? I feel really dumb.
Hi Sheri,
Thanks for writing in! I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties! Apart from the first stitch on each row, you will be slipping these stitches as if to purl which will put the stitches in the correct orientation and not twist them. If you were slipping them knitwise, this would twist the stitches.
I do hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you for the reply. I read “slip one knitwise”, and thought it meant knit.
Hello! Super excited about starting this project. My question is about the provisional cast on. I’ve done that cast on with success before on other projects. I’m assuming that we start with a scrap piece of yarn. If so, because of the slipped stitches that don’t get knit in the first row, won’t it be impossible to remove the provisional cast on when needed? I hope my question makes sense. Thanks for being there to answer it!
Best, Rhonda
Me again. Figured it out, I was using the crochet hook method for starting the provisional cast on instead of crocheting a simple chain and picking up stitches from that. Loving the look of the stitch so far! Rhonda
Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for writing back! We are so glad to hear that it all worked out!
Best,
Cassy
How do you think this bag would look in Black Feather? I love the White Smoke but think a darker color would be better for me.
Hello Barbra,
Thanks for reaching out! I think this bag would look classic and sleek in Black Feather- I say go for it.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am having trouble with the gauge for the tote. I am using Lantern. I cast on the 24 sts. on a # 8 needle. After 25 rows, I have 3″ of length and width of 3 1/2 inches. The width is what it supposed to be according to the size notes, but in 75 rows I will have the 9″……….not anywhere close to the 120 rows called for. If I go down enough needle sizes to get in 120 rows, the width may be considerable less than 3 1/2 inches. I read the reply to Marsha Malin, but it doesn’t fully answer my issue.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Is it possible that you are knitting your gauge swatch in stockinette stitch instead of linen stitch? Because of the alternating slipped stitches in linen stitch, the row height is much shorter than in stockinette. If your row gauge is still off but your stitch gauge is correct, I would stick with whatever needle gives you the correct stitch gauge as the row gauge is less important for this pattern, and as it is a tote bag and not a garment, it isn’t crucial to have perfect gauge.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
So excited to start this project, but I have had some issues! Using your suggested size 8 needles, I knitted the base, but only had about 80 rows in 9 inches. So I added more rows to bring it up to 100 which is about 10″ — obviously need to rethink the needle size and start again! My fault not to knit a swatch for gauge — but since it isn’t something that needs to fit, I didn’t bother!
But my next problem is the lack of instruction about needle choice when picking up the stitches to knit in the round. I think I will have to use a full set of dp needles for several inches before I can use a circular needle. Is that what you suggest?
Anyway, despite my rocky start, I prepared to start over and get it right.
Hello Laurie,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with the pattern! When you are picking up your stitches around the base you only need your circular needle. You have your 24 live stitches on your needles, you then pick up your left selvedge stitches, you then slip your 24 provisionally cast on stitches onto your left needle and then knitting across those 24 stitches and picking up your right selvedge.
I hope this makes sense and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi, I love this tote but am having difficulty understanding the body portion of the instructions. I am new to knitting and am able to understand how to pick up stitches but the whole rotating and adding and casting on part im totally lost. Is there a video I can reference or see how to do this part of the pattern
THanks
Uma
Hello Uma,
Thank you for reaching out! For this section you are picking up stitches on each side of your base, and putting your provisionally cast on back on your needles.
I hope this makes sense and let me know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
I am also having a hard time with the gauge in pattern. What do you recommend if you have too few rows (36 rows = 4 inches instead of 50), and too many stitches (40 stitches instead of 27 = 4 inches). I am on size 8 needles.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! This is a bit of a mystery – it is unusual for stitches and rows in a gauge swatch to be off in different directions. I would double check that you are knitting your swatch in the linen stitch pattern as given for the base of the bag, as the this stitch does knit up very differently from stockinette stitch. If you are still running into this issue in linen stitch, pulling too tightly on your yarn when slipping stitches would tighten up your stitch gauge too much, so make sure you are not tugging on the yarn when moving it from the front to the back of the work and vice versa. It also can be tricky to count rows in linen stitch, especially when worked in Lantern, so I would also recommend double checking that you are counting every row. When you are looking at the swatch from the right side, in each column of knit stitches, you will count each “v” and each bar across the column as a row, or can count two rows per “v.”
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I too am having a difficult time with gauge…done over three times! Am now down to a size US 5. I phoned today and your representative was very helpful. I think I can work this out now…fewer rows perhaps. Love the pattern otherwise.
I am binding off, and the stitches don’t add up. It says to [k, sl1wyif] 12 times (24 stitches), then bind off 61 stitches (85 done), then [sl1wyif, k1] 11 times plus sl1wyif (23 stitches; 108 done), then bind off to end (25 stitches; 133 done). But there are 169 on the needle. Is this a typo or am I missing something? Just want to make sure. Thanks.
Hello Kathy,
Thank you for reaching out! This part can be a bit tricky to visualize. When you have completed this section you should have 24 stitches on a holder and 25 live stitches. The pattern states “[K1, slip 1 wyif] 12 times (24 stitches), bind off 61 stitches knitwise, [slip 1 wyif, k1] 11 times, slip 1 wyif, place previous 24 stitches on stitch holder or scrap yarn, bind off to END of round.” You will have a total of 25 stitches left on your needles (and 24 on a holder).
I hope this clears things up for you, but let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I love this bag and think it will look great in the Lantern yarn. With the yarn being nubby, I’m having some trouble picking up stitches. Would it be okay to rotate the base so there would be fewer side stitches to pick up? How would that convert in terms of the number of stitches to cast on and the number of rows to knit?
Thank you!
Hi Allison,
Thanks for reaching out! Although the dimensions of the base may turn out slightly different because of the gauge ratio of linen stitch, you could cast on 60 stitches and work 24 repeats of rows 1 and 2 if you wish. You will then be able to pick up 25 stitches for each short side of the rectangle, and end up with the same number of stitches for the body of the bag.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna