Our knit take on woven twill retains the same distinctive diagonal texture and same sturdy work ethic, but instead of a loom, you can whip up this Twill Tote right on your knitting needles!

Twill Tote | Purl Soho

The twill is a super simple pattern that only uses slip stitches and knits (correct, no purling!), and the construction is fun and straightforward. You start with a double layer strap, knit in the round with a twill texture on the outside and a smooth one on the inside. You incorporate the strap stitches into the bag’s cast on stitches, then knit the bag in the round down to the bottom, working decreases in stockinette at the base.

Twill Tote | Purl Soho

The shape is a quirky bucket, perfect for leeks and potatoes, sandals and a beach towel, or your whatever’s on your needles. And that glow? That’s our Field Linen! One hundred percent linen, it’s as tough as a boot, but as beautiful as the day. We just added nine gorgeous new colors to the palette, including this stunning Carnelian Orange. Pick up just two skeins to get started!

Twill Tote | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!

Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTwillTote, and #PurlSohoBlackbirdLinen. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Twill Tote | Purl Soho
  • 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Field Linen, 100% linen. Each skein is 295 yards; approximately 493 yards required. We used the color Carnelian Orange.
  • US 4 (3.5 mm), 16- or 20-inch circular needles
  • US 2 (2.75 mm), 16-inch circular needles
  • A set of five US 4 double pointed needles
  • A set of four US 2 double pointed needles
  • A stitch marker
  • A size C-E (3-3.5 mm) crochet hook and scrap yarn for Provisional Cast On

Gauge

29 stitches and 56 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern, using larger needles

30 stitches and 48 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch in the round, using smaller needles

Size

  • Finished Circumference: 22 inches
  • Finished Height: 12 inches
  • Strap Width: 2¼ inches
  • Strap Length: 22 inches

Notes

Construction

You will first work the strap in the round, then attach it as you cast on for the bag. You will work the bag top down in the round, decreasing at the Base to finish.

Slip Stitches

Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.

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.

Knit 2 Together From Two Needles (k2tog from two needles)

Holding two double pointed needles parallel to each other, insert working circular needle from front to back through first stitch on front needle and then front to back through first stitch on back needle. Knit the two stitches together.

NOTE: For assistance with this technique, please visit our 3-Needle Bind Off Tutorial, but instead of binding the stitches off, keep them on the right needle.

Pattern

Strap

Using a Provisional Cast On (see Notes) and three larger double pointed needles, cast on 36 stitches. [12 stitches on each needle]

Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: [K1, slip 1 (see Notes) with yarn in back (wyib)] 4 times, k1, [slip 2 with yarn in front (wyif), k2] 5 times, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 3 times, k1.

Round 2: [Slip 1 wyib, k1] 5 times, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 4 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 4 times.

Round 3: [K1, slip 1 wyib] 5 times, k1, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 4 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 3 times, k1.

Round 4: [Slip 1 wyib, k1] 4 times, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 5 times, [k1, slip 1 wyib] 4 times.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 22 inches from cast-on edge, ending with Round 2.

Slip 3 stitches from first needle onto second needle, then slip 3 stitches from third needle to second needle. [9 stitches each on first and third needle; 18 stitches on second needle]

Now, slip all stitches from first needle onto third needle. [18 stitches on each of 2 needle]

Cut yarn.

Using three larger double pointed needles, place first 9 Provisional Cast-On stitches onto first needle, next 18 stitches onto second needle, and last 9 stitches onto third needle, then slip all 9 stitches from third needle onto first needle. [18 stitches on each of 2 needles]

Begin Body

Using a basic Long Tail Cast On and starting with a 3-yard tail, cast 62 stitches onto larger circular needles.

Now pick up Strap and hold one set of double pointed parallel to each other with the twill-textured side of the fabric facing you, *[k2tog from two needles (see Notes)] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 4 more times, [k2tog from two needles] 2 times. [88 stitches on working needles]

Now thread 3-yard cast-on tail onto a tapestry needle and thread it through center of Strap to opposite end in order to use it for remainder of cast on.

Using a basic Long Tail Cast-On, cast on 62 more stitches. Holding remaining set of  double pointed needles parallel to each other with the twill-textured side of the fabric facing you, make sure Strap is not twisted and *[k2tog from two needles] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 4 more times, [k2tog from two needles] 2 times. [176 stitches on working needles]

Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K1, [slip 2 wyif, k2] 15 times, slip 2 wyif, [k1, knit 2 together (k2tog), slip 3 wyif] 4 times, k1, repeat from * one more time. [168 stitches remain]

Round 2: *[K2, slip 2 wyif] 16 times, [k1, k2tog, slip 2 wyif] 4 times, repeat from * one more time. [160 stitches remain]

Continue Body

Round 1: *Slip 1 wyif, k2, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: *Slip 2 wyif, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: *K1, slip 2 wyif, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: *K2, slip 2 wyif, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1-4 until piece measures 11 inches from cast-on edge of Body, ending with Round 1 of pattern.

Base

Change to smaller circular needles,

 Round 1: *K1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [120 stitches remain]

Work in stockinette stitch, knitting every round, for 1 inch.

Round 2: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [80 stitches remain]

Continue in stockinette stitch for ¾ inch.

Change to smaller double pointed needles.

Round 3: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [60 stitches remain]

Continue in stockinette stitch for ¾ inch.

Repeat Round 2. [40 stitches remain]

Knit 2 rounds.

Repeat Round 3. [30 stitches remain]

Knit 2 rounds.

Repeat Round 2. [20 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Repeat Round 3. [15 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Repeat Round 2. [10 stitches remain]

Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [5 stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Sew tail through remaining stitches.

Pull extra taut and bring tail to inside of bag to weave in very thoroughly in order to keep the base of the bag secure.

Finishing

Weave in remaining ends and wet block.

Twill Tote | Purl Soho
Twill Tote | Purl Soho