Twill Tote in Oleander
A practical bag with a marvelous bucket shape, our popular Twill Tote knitting pattern is now in our cotton and linen Oleander, held double for a fabric as strong as a pine knot but as lovely as a summer day!
The satisfying, no-purl stitch pattern is made with just slip stitches and knits, giving the fabric the distinctive diagonal texture and hardworking durability of woven twill fabric.
To knit the bag, you start with a double layer strap, worked in the round with the twill texture on the outside and smooth stockinette on the inside. After incorporating the strap stitches into the bag’s cast on stitches, you knit the bag in the round down to the bottom, decreasing in stockinette stitch to form the base.
Oleander is a bag-knitter’s dream, an earthy yarn with a robust, multi-strand structure. Made with 50% cotton for touchable softness and 50% linen for strength, this machine wash- and dry-able yarn is both a pretty and practical choice.
Choose from 15 sun-kissed colors, each with a beautiful matte finish… We picked dreamy Pale Jade!
Holding two strands of fingering-weight Oleander together creates a sturdy fabric that can stand up your daily errands. Pack your tote with leeks and potatoes, sandals and a beach towel, or whatever’s on your knitting needles… The Twill Tote in Oleander is a pleasure to knit and a pleasure to take along wherever you go!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Originally designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. See even more of Jake’s designs on his website!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTwillTote, and #PurlSohoOleander. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 5 balls of Purl Soho’s Oleander, 50% cotton and 50% linen. Each ball of this fingering-weight yarn is 205 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 990 yards required. We used the color Pale Jade.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 16- or 20-inch circular knitting needles
- US 3 (3.25 mm), 16-inch circular knitting needles
- A set of five US 4 double pointed needles
- A set of four US 3 double pointed needles
- A stitch marker
- A size C or D (3 or 3.25 mm) crochet hook and scrap yarn for Provisional Cast On
GAUGE
- 28 stitches and 60 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern, with yarn doubled (see Notes), using larger needles
- 25 stitches and 37 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with yarn doubled, using smaller needles
SIZE
- Finished Circumference: 22¾ inches
- Finished Height: 13¾ inches
- Finished Strap Width: 2¼ inches
- Finished Strap Length: 20 inches
- Handle Drop: 10 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.
YARN DOUBLED
You will double the yarn throughout this pattern, pulling two strands together. To do this, we recommend pulling one strand from two balls. For the fifth ball, pull from the inside and outside at the same time.
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.
STITCH PATTERN (FOR GAUGE SWATCH)
Worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, in the round…
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 for pattern.
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 20 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 needles]
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. [36 stitches; 18 stitches on each needle]
BEGIN BODY
Using a basic Long Tail Cast On and leaving a 3-yard tail, cast 62 stitches onto larger circular needles.
Pick up Strap and hold one set of double pointed needles parallel to each other with the twill-textured side of the fabric facing you, *[k2tog from 2 needles (see Notes)] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 3 more times, [k2tog from 2 needles] 2 times. [88 stitches on working needles]
Thread 3-yard cast-on tail onto a tapestry needle and pass 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 2 needles] 2 times, [slip 1 from back needle wyif, slip 1 from front needle wyif] 2 times, repeat from * 3 more times, [k2tog from 2 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 10 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 9 rounds, until piece measures approximately 1 inch from start of base.
Round 2: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [80 stitches remain]
Continue in stockinette stitch for 5 rounds, until piece measures approximately 1½ inches from start of base.
Change to smaller double pointed needles.
Round 3: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [60 stitches remain]
Continue in stockinette stitch for 5 rounds, until piece measures 2 inches from start of base.
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.
LEARN ABOUT OLEANDER + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
We used Oleander for this project because of its alluring earthiness and fine, soft touch. A fingering-weight yarn, Oleander is made in Italy from 50% Turkish cotton and 50% Belgian linen. It is the ultimate warm-weather knitting yarn, as light as a summer breeze and as lovely as an Italian hillside in bloom!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our growing collection of free Oleander knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop cotton yarn
- Shop linen yarn
- Shop plant-based yarn
- Shop machine washable yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I’m thinking of holding two different colors of yarn, say the light and dark green together for a marbled look. Would that work?
Hi Chantal,
What a fun idea! We’d love to see a photo of your project if you try this out!
All the best,
Lili
Hi there, do you think this pattern worked flat would be fine.
Hi Dani,
I’m sorry to say that this pattern doesn’t easily convert to flat knitting. One thing you could try is to reverse the instructions of the pattern on wrong sides. I am afraid we do not have a version of this pattern for flat knitting currently though. Please let us know if you have any other questions along the way!
All the best,
Gavriella
Is there enough yarn to knit the strap longer?
Hi Stephanie,
That’s a great question. This pattern uses approximately 990 yards. 5 balls is equal to 1025 yards. This means you will have about 30 yards of yarn left for your strap. I’d recommend purchasing an additional ball for a longer strap since this pattern uses pretty close to the full length of each ball. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi!
I’m so confused by this stitch pattern and I’m not a beginner knitter…. Can you clarify- the yarn in front or back only pertains to the slipping of the stitches right? Then you out the yarn in back to knit? And back in front to slip (when specified) . Am I reading that correctly?
Thank you for any assistance, I feel really dense.
Hi Sandi,
You will move the yarn in front or to back for the indicated slipped stitches but you will always knit with yarn in back and purl with yarn in front. For example, “slip 2 wyif, k1” here you will slip 2 with yarn in front and then move the yarn to back to knit the next stitch. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
Thats what I was thinking but it didn’t look right in my swatch. I shall continue! Thank you so much for answering!
You are welcome! Please let us know if you have any other questions along the way!
I’m doing magic loop, so the “move 3 stitches from needle 1 to needle 2…” etc. don’t make any sense to me. Do I just move the first 9 sts to the back needle?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! Basically, you just need to make sure you have half the stitches (18 stitches) on one needle and the other half on the other needle. One half needs to contain all the twill pattern stitches, while the other half is the k1, slip 1 texture. Once you get your stitches oriented in this position, you’ll be ready to move onto the next step of the pattern!
All the best,
Lili
I am hoping to reduce the width of the finished bag by half in order to make the tote more of a wine tote than market tote. I figured I would cut the number of cast-on stitches for the straps and mouth of the bag in half, respectively. Taking a closer look at the pattern though, it doesn’t seem like the stitch pattern within each round can be easily “halved” to account for fewer stitches. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Emma,
That’s a great idea! The twill side of the straps work over any multiple of 4 + 2 stitches. Once you figure out the width you want for the straps, first make sure that comes to a multiple of 4 + 2, and then double it for the cast-on since the straps are double-sided! The main body of the bag works over a multiple of 4 stitches, so when you’re casting on the additional stitches after the straps, just make sure that the total ends up being a multiple of 4. Hope this helps you get started!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you Lili, this is very helpful!